I just got finished reading the hardcover. The only negative experience I had with this book was lugging it around. Otherwise, it was great. The motives and outcomes of the colorful cast of characters made it a real page turner. Now I can’t wait to lug around Pillars of the Earth! I know I should have read it first, but I understand they can be read in any order.

As in Pillars of the Earth, to which WWE is the sequel, the city of Kingsbridge is brought to life with colorful, boisterous, endearing and occasionally excruciating detail. The story begins approximately 200 years after PotE. At 1,000 pages, it’s a hefty tome to lug around, but it’s a relatively quick and absorbing read.

In several ways WWE was almost like reading the first book over again. The protagonists’ and antagonists’ names have changed, but at times I felt, mildly disappointedly, that I’d read it all before. This was the only reason I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars. Still highly recommended as Follett’s prose is breathtaking as usual, but make sure you read PotE first.