Pillars of the Earth - novel & miniseries

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Who's read it? Who's watched it? The old thread is locked (in the library).

I have to admit, I was a bit leery of the casting initially (I thought William should have been cuter, and Regan should've been more hideous) and there were some storylines that have been changed or omitted, but overall, it's been really good.

I especially love the casting of Prior Philip, and the scene where the monks take back the quarry in Episode 3 - loved it. So glad they kept that scene!

 

[jaysonsmom]

I've read all of Ken Follets books. He is my favorite author of all time.

World without End and Pillars of the Earth are very different from his other books (spy thrillers). I have to admit I first got into this author having read his spy novels, but then I totally became hooked by the 2 historical sagas. Can't say I've see the miniseries. I didn't even know they made his books into a TV series.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I've read all of Ken Follets books. He is my favorite author of all time.

World without End and Pillars of the Earth are very different from his other books (spy thrillers). I have to admit I first got into this author having read his spy novels, but then I totally became hooked by the 2 historical sagas. Can't say I've see the miniseries. I didn't even know they made his books into a TV series.

I actually haven't read any of his spy thrillers (not my genre) but I loved Pillars. World Without End was decent, but I couldn't get over how little I liked Gwenda and how little I liked her name and the main character's (Merthin or something?) name. Bugged the crap out of me, lol.

The miniseries just finished up a few days ago on Starz. Also he's coming out with another historical fiction novel - Fall of Giants, due out Sept. 28

 

[jaysonsmom]

I'm really excited about his new book. I'l probably be one of the first to get it.You're so right, Pillars was definitely better than World Without End. If you're not into spy novels, his other non-spy novel: A dangerous Fortune is a pretty good read.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I really enjoyed Pillars of the Earth, too. I read it several times over as a teen. When World Without an End came out, I was so excited! But I was rather disappointed with it. The characters felt flat (and I would catch myself playing which character is a reencarnation of which Pillars character) and the "Big project" just didn't have the same wonderful scope and meaning as the cathedral.

I hadn't heard about the miniseries. Should I get it on DVD when it comes out?

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Lady Disdain - I think it's worth watching when it's out on DVD. Do you think Starz would stream it on Netflix like they do with Spartacus? I don't have an account anymore so I can't check. I've really liked it, though small things (omitted or changed plotlines) bug me (but that's with any movie/show based on a book. I don't think the omissions/changes are serious enough to detract from enjoying the series and it does hold to the book very closely in most respects. I also love that Rufus Sewell was cast as Tom Builder.

Overall, I'm really glad they chose to take a miniseries approach and not a movie approach to Pillars.

Jaysonsmom - I didn't know he had another non-spy book. Thanks and will check it out!

 

[jaysonsmom]

I'm going to try to get the mini-series too. Sounds intriguing, although I always find books made into TV shows or movies never measure up to the original books.

 

[TravelingGal]

I liked Pillars and WWE is on my Kindle now, TBR. I DVRd Pillars, but haven't gotten around to watching it, except for the first hour, which I didn't like. So you're saying it gets better?

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I'm going to try to get the mini-series too. Sounds intriguing, although I always find books made into TV shows or movies never measure up to the original books.

Oh I totally agree (except maybe Lord of the Rings, but then again, I HATED the books so nowhere to go but up). I think I'm watching The Pacific next.

I'm also really interested to see how The Borgias and Game of Thrones miniseries will come out (especially the latter as it's based on a massive book, which is only the first out of a projected seven).

TGal - I think you should stick it through to ep 3. If it's still not your thing by then, I would just not watch but, but I thought the 2nd and 3rd episodes were much better than the 1st.

 

[4ever]

World without End and Pillars of the Earth are two of my favourate books but I had no idea they had been made into a mini series (I assume it's an american series?)

I don't want to see the mini series to be honest, I'm sick of people turning exellect books into average or terrible movies and TV.
I feel like a book has been violated when I watch it's film interpritation.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

World without End and Pillars of the Earth are two of my favourate books but I had no idea they had been made into a mini series (I assume it's an american series?)

I don't want to see the mini series to be honest, I'm sick of people turning exellect books into average or terrible movies and TV.
I feel like a book has been violated when I watch it's film interpritation.

I think it's an American series? The last part (parts 7 & premiered only a few days ago on Starz. However, the production company is German and most of the actors are European (lots of UK actors).

 

[elrohwen]

I read the book - I thought it was mediocre but fairly entertaining. It was entertaining enough that I'd kind of like to see the miniseries if it gets good reviews.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Well, I finished the miniseries.

After finishing it, I would recommend it if you really love the book. From the show standpoint, I thought it was well-done. At first I was hesitant on some of the casting, but they really grew on me through the show, and it was certainly interesting and exciting.

However, I did have a few quibbles that really bothered me. I felt like Pillars the book was good enough on its own - some of the storylines that were manufactured to give the show added oomph really annoyed me (I mean, William and Regan were evil enough - we really didn't need an incestuous undertone to that mother-son relationship). I also didn't like a few things (not to spoil but they really changed up the White Ship storyline). What I liked about Pillars is that, even though it was a fictional town and cathedral, it was entirely believable. The way the show portrayed certain events, like the White Ship incident, was more sensational than believable and I think it stole some of the charm from the story.

Anyway, I'm not sorry I watched it. Overall it was pretty good and I would recommend it if you like historical dramas (btw, not nearly as graphic/racy as HBO/Showtime shows like Rome or The Tudors), or if you really like Pillars the book.

 

[blueiris]

I've read both Pillars of the Earth and World Without End (liked Pillars the best, but I enjoyed both) and am watching the miniseries on Netflix instant play. I'm enjoying the miniseries more than I thought I would. Usually once I've read and liked a book, I'm really disappointed by the movie or miniseries, but I'm not this time. It's been a while since I read the books so maybe enough time has passed that I am just enjoying seeing the characters brought to "life", rather than focusing on what is different from the book.

I'm really looking forward to Follett's new book! I've pre-ordered it for my Kindle/iPad.