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The Pillars of the Earth (Abridged) Audiobook

The Pillars of the Earth (Abridged) Audiobook, by Ken Follett Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Richard E. Grant, John Lee Publisher: Penguin Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Kingsbridge Series Release Date: October 2007 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781429586764

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

94

Longest Chapter Length:

09:45 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

03:38 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

06:25 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

31

Publisher Description

If you liked the Century Trilogy, you’ll love the “extraordinary . . . monumental masterpiece.”—Booklist, that changed the course of Ken Follett’s already phenomenal career. 

“Follett risks all and comes out a clear winner,” extolled Publishers Weekly on the release of The Pillars of the Earth. A departure for the bestselling thriller writer, the historical epic stunned readers and critics alike with its ambitious scope and gripping humanity. Today, it stands as a testament to Follett’s unassailable command of the written word and to his universal appeal. 

 

The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known . . . of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect—a man divided in his soul . . . of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame . . . and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state, and brother against brother.

 

A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett’s historical masterpiece.

Download and start listening now!

"This book is a wade, but a wonderful wade if you enjoy English History. Revolving around the building of a cathedral, it vividly portrays what life was like in the days of King Stephen. I must warn the potential reader, there is much brutality here, but it is counterbalanced by people for whom love is a vocation. It is a world very different from out own, where success has a very different meaning, but family, is still family. Within this book, I have met people whom I shall never forget. That is the true sign of great writing."

— Rob (4 out of 5 stars)

The Pillars of the Earth Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.2926829268292686 out of 54.2926829268292686 out of 54.2926829268292686 out of 54.2926829268292686 out of 54.2926829268292686 out of 5 (4.29)
5 Stars: 24
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 4.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 54.5 out of 5 (4.50)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 1
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — pcollums, 6/3/2022
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    — Micah gorbey, 12/5/2020
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of the greatest sagas I've read, fantastic and captivating characters !! "

    — Chefalan30, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A wonderfully book, read it in two days. That was a great two days... "

    — Zarus, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A bit longer than I would like, I enjoyed most of it but the narrative provides little surprises and impact. "

    — Carlos, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really enjoyed the book!! The tv series, not so much. "

    — Jaime, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not as good as Rutherford's historic novels, but definitely a good read. And better than vol. #2. "

    — Daryl, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Gritty realism it all seems so unfair! "

    — Mervyn, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a re-read as I was given World Without End and wanted to ensure that I wasn't missing anything. I enjoy Ken Follett although find his writing repetitive at times - likely wants to make certain that we remember the plot line as convoluted as it can be! Thoroughly enjoyed the concept of building the cathedral as the central focus for a historical rendition of life in the 1100's. "

    — Dorothy, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Love this book, could not put it down either. Long, but great to read!!! "

    — Monica, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of my favorite books of all time. Didn't want it to end. "

    — Lissettegomezarevalo, 1/13/2014

About Ken Follett

Ken Follett is one of the world’s best-loved authors, selling more than 160 million copies of his thirty books. His first bestseller was Eye of the Needle, an Edgar Award–winning spy story set in the Second World War. In 1989 The Pillars of the Earth was published and has since become the author’s most successful novel. It reached number one on bestseller lists around the world and was an Oprah’s Book Club pick. The series has sold more than fifty million copies worldwide and hitting the New York Times bestsellers list.

About the Narrators

Richard E. Grant is a British Swazi actor, screenwriter, and director. A prominent figure on television and film since the 1980s, he achieved international recognition as John Seward in the 1992 blockbuster film Dracula.

John Lee is the winner of numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He has twice won acclaim as AudioFile’s Best Voice in Fiction & Classics. He also narrates video games, does voice-over work, and writes plays. He is an accomplished stage actor and has written and coproduced the feature films Breathing Hard and Forfeit. He played Alydon in the 1963–64 Doctor Who serial The Daleks.