Pillars of the Earth was a bestselling novel by Ken Follett, published in 1989. I read it a few years ago, and it was a truly epic undertaking; probably close to a thousand pages. It bucked convention, killing main characters (before George R.R. Martin made it cool) and allowing horrible things to happen to good people. I was simultaneously infuriated and impressed, recognizing that the author was making a point about the lawlessness and injustice of medieval England.
I finished it just in time for the 2007 miniseries, which featured a few now-familiar faces: Hayley Atwell (Captain America), Eddie Redmayne (Les Miserables), and Rufus Sewell (Knight’s Tale). I had a hard time appreciating the adaptation as I’d just spent several weeks with these characters; in particular I remember my annoyance at our introduction to Atwell’s character, who comically brains her unwanted suitor with a candelabra (they’re missing the whole point of the character!!! Growth! Development! Transformation!! ARGGHH) BUT I digress.
Courtney Young
Tippi
