A mainly enjoyable read although I did feel at times that it was jumping from one thing happening to the next.
I did read the entire novel all 897 pages of it and looking back the relationship between Edgar and Rayna was beautifully and adventurously developed.

I would recommend this book it you are prepared to read such a large book and the small effort necessary to keep reading to the end.

I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I was given this book by Netgalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary and impartial review.

If you're reading TEatM, chances are, you've read the other Kingsbridge novels, and my review is therefore less of a review than it is a comparison to the other books. If you haven't read the others yet and are considering starting with TEatM, my suggestion would be that you shouldn't, and again, my review might help to explain that a bit.

There's no denying that Follett has a very specific formula that he applies to each of the Kingsbridge novels. Through all of them, you can identify structural similarities and plot devices that vary only in circumstances - "more of the same", but always wonderfully differentiated. It's always a "good vs. evil" story in the most basic sense of the phrase, and good always triumphs in the end (although with much misery before that).

I knew that TEatM would follow that same, beloved structure, but for the very first time, it didn't grab onto my emotions and empathy as tightly as before. I didn't feel as deeply for these characters as I have done for others in the previous books, and to be honest, that's what made those novels stand out to me as much as they did. When trying to convince someone to read the Kingsbridge novels, I always reference the deep connection you build with these characters over the span of what really amounts to their normal, everyday lives, and that connection was less pronounced here.

Weirdly, too, I found myself longing for the detailed descriptions of the cathedral's building - elements that are of course absent in this book, being the prequel to Pillars of the Earth. But that might just have been me.

In all, it was nice to get some context and get a sense of where it all started, and to also delve back into that comfortable, familiar story structure, but new readers could happily read the previous Kingsbridge novels and give this one a miss, without losing much, in my view.

Fantastic. I love a Ken Follett book and this one delivers as promised. A prequel to The Pillars of the Earth trilogy of books set in Kingsbridge in the mediaeval times. I like the era featured in the book as it's an era not often written about, ie the pre the Norman Invasion era before the end of the first millenium AD.

A prequel that will make you want to reread the ‘Pillars of the Earth’ trilogy again. Superb storytelling and great characters bring this novel to life

I absolutely loved ‘The Evening and the Morning’ by Ken Follett. It is thirty years since Follett published his monster hit ‘The Pillars of the Earth’ and this novel is his prequel to what became the Kingsbridge series. Set in Southern England in the year 997 at the end of the Dark Ages – so called because the lack of historical documents and archaeological remains from the time means our knowledge of the era is thin – it was a period of unrest and war. Viking raids, skirmishes with the Welsh, the law allows violence against slaves while power-hungry local rulers disobey the rules of King Ethelred.
The story is told by three principal characters – a French noblewoman, a young English boatbuilder and an English monk. Each is smart, ambitious and honest but they are confronted by violence, cruelty, law-breaking, jealousy and betrayal.
In the west country village of Combe, eighteen-year old boatbuilder Edgar waits on the beach for his true love. She is married and the pair are going to run away together. But as Edgar waits, he sees the arrival of a Viking ship and his life changes. The town is destroyed. Three powerful brothers arrive to examine the damage – Wilwulf, ealdorman of local region Shiring; Bishop Wynstan of Shiring; and Wilgelm, thane of Combe – each will lose income because of the raid. It is decided a visit to Normandy is necessary to ask for support from Count Hubert, a Norman lord in Cherbourg who has influence with the Vikings.
In Normandy, Hubert receives two English visitors, a monk and a priest. The monk, Brother Aldred, has a chest of books he has bought in a French abbey. His plan is to create a library, a scriptorium, at Shiring Abbey. Hubert’s daughter Ragna is under pressure from her parents to marry a local lord she dislikes. She wishes Guillaume was educated like Aldred who, being a monk, is celibate. But when English lord Wilwulf arrives, she quickly falls in love.
Ragna travels to England where she will marry Wilfulf. En route she arrives at Dreng’s Ferry and meets Edgar. His family now lives on a farm at this, a poor, lawless place where the local dean and clergy live life to their own rules. This is the beginning of a long friendship that will last many years. Though life as the wife of an English ealdorman is not what she expected, Ragna is supported by the presence in Shiring of Aldred who also becomes a friend.
This is an endlessly fascinating story, with so many twists and turns, achievements and horrific setbacks for the three friends that it’s easy to get lost in the ups and downs of their lives. The structure of the story may be predictable at times but the characters are strongly written, the historical setting is believable and the themes of friendship and perseverance are uplifting.
As soon as I finished reading it – and it’s a long book, 832 pages – I wanted to start at the beginning again. The last time I felt like that was when I finished ‘The Pillars of the Earth’.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

This is my book of the year so far! Fantastic blended characters, some I hated some I loved and it was just great storytelling. With it being the prequel to the Pillars Of The Earth I am sad that I already read the other three because I want more! Can't give enough praise about this book just read it, you will be lost in the middle ages, vikings and evil priests before you know it, and a strong strong woman who plays a main character. Fantastic.

Having not read the Kingsbridge trilogy, I thought this prequel would be a good place to start and I'm glad to say that I was not disappointed. It tells the story of Dreng's Ferry, a small hamlet in the west country and the people who live there during the reign of Ethelred in the late 900s and early 1000s CE. Firstly, I would just like to applaud the readability of this narrative. This book is over 800 pages long and yet I devoured it in three days, which is testament to how well the plot is constructed to keep you absorbed. The writing is clear and straightforward, and I loved the way we followed a decade in the lives of these characters. What I will say is that there is a pleasantly traditional division in the character types, in that we have very clear good guys and bad guys - not too many morally grey characters here! Whilst this does mean that there isn't much nuance, it does make for a good vs evil battle, which is always a good read. I also think that the plotting towards the end felt a little bit rushed (which seems impossible in an 800 page book!) Overall, however, I would say that this is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of historical fiction and I will now move on to the Pillars of the Earth with great interest.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another belter from the Pillars Of the Earth saga -taking us back even further into the history of Kingsbridge.
If I was being picky -I would say that it was my least favourite of the 4 books in the series -yet head and shoulders above most historical sagas .
Mr Follett never fails to transport you to another time in history with his fabulous writing.

Thankyou NetGalley for an arc in return for an honest review

I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A historical epic that really delves into the time and place. It is quite grisly at times and the writing is good.
An OK read.

The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett is one Big Book but don't let that put you off. I started to read this brilliant Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers and I just had to purchase the audio for it, and this did not disappoint. The audio was an excellent find. This book is the prequel to The Pillars of the Earth and I loved getting my teeth into this book when it first came out.

I highly recommend this book either by book or audio. I loved it.

Big Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

As this year of 2020 comes to a close, I have just found one of my most favourite books of the year.
I don't know why it comes as such as a surprise as I have enjoyed all the others in the series too.
But Follett has a simplistic style to his writing where you learn a lot through historical fiction without been bogged down with complex terminology and detail. His books are always huge but I never feel outfaced by them, more excited that I know I am in for a long enjoyable ride.
Follett to me is a master storyteller, he transports you easily to another time period effortlessly.
His stories are always powerful and filled with so much human emotion, love and hate, loyalty and treachery, hope and despair are just some of them. Characters fall in love, go to War, seek power and money and often revenge.
Set in 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. This story is based around three characters who all become connected.
Edgar the young boat builder who has survived a Viking massacre, his business and home perished his Father and love of his life were killed and he was forced with his brothers and mother to move and become farmers to try and make a living.
Lady Ragna a French noble woman who marries English Wilwulf Ealdorman of Shirling but the customs of her Husbands homeland and morals are shockingly different and unexpected.
And Aldred the monk who has a vision of turning the Abbey in to a place of learning with a library and scriptorium. All will come in to contact with a corrupt Bishop out to increase his wealth and power.
But England is now in huge turmoil with no clear law, any justice is often bent and conflict caused with the King. The country is facing attacks from the Welsh in the West and Vikings in the East.
What happens to these three is shocking, but also uplifting. It's compelling with brilliant characterisation and visuals.
A very engrossing story, this book was 800 pages but I wanted more.
I now feel bereft and that to me is a sign of a strong five star book.
Thank you to the publishers, Netgalley and the author for providing this arc in return for a honest review even if now I feel completely lost! ha!.
I will without doubt recommend his book to everyone interested in this genre.

This is a fantastic book from a master story teller. The evocative way Follett brings to life 997CE and onwards is a joy to behold. His characters are very well defind and the epic scope of the novel allows the battle between good and evil to simmer and, at timnes, boil over.

I had read the 3 previous books (all superb) in the Knightsbridge Series (Pillars of the Earth, World Without End and A Column of Fire) and loved them all. They all score 5/5 from me. The Evening and the Morning did not disappoint.

This was such an enjoyable read that I did not want it to end.

The three main characters Ragna, Edgar and Aldred all experience various highs and lows and I found myself rooting for the trio in the face of seemingly almost impossible odds.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in excahnge for an impartial review.

The Evening and the Morning is another gem to add to Ken Follett's treasure chest. It's the prequel to Pillars of the Earth (which was phenomenal) and its multi-tales intertwine.

977CE:

The son of a boatbuilder - Edgar sees his family devastated by a Viking raid.
Lady Ragnar travels across the seas ready to marry for love rather than duty
Aldred, a monk striving to turn his abbey into a centre for learning witnesses greed and the battle for power on his own doorstep.

Follett's work is incredibly detailed and rich. His words flow off the page, leaving you wanting more.

I read Pillars many years sgo however after finishing this i am going straight back to keep it going yet again. Follet manages to keep me invested in his story telling. Fantastic book.

I loved Pillars of the Earth and the rest of the Medieval series by Ken Follett.
This sort of prequel takes us into Saxon England in the South West again.
It tells the story of a small community based around a ferry and how it changes over a generation.
The heroes and villains are so well written and described that this is almost a fairytale but the information about the traditions of the time add to my enjoyment.
Great

Another wonderful novel penned by Ken Follett set in 997 when England was emerging from the Dark Ages. During the reign of King Ethelred when the country was facing attacks from the Welsh to the west and the Vikings were striking from the east. Life was hard and those with power dealt harshly and justice was very much at their whim and the power of the King was definitely threaten by nobles. In this story the author introduces Edgar, a young boat builder,Ragna, daughter of a Count from Normandy and Aldred, a young monk keen to make his monastery the centre of learning. But each of these characters must suffer loss, conflict and injustice as they try to find their way in life. Also each meets with Bishop Wyndham, his older half brother, Wilwaff and his younger broker Welgelm. - a trio who will manipulate and cheat to get their own ways. This great novel has a myriad of characters and at the centre is a poor inhabitable called Drengs Ferry which I realised later becomes the Kings Bridge of Follett’s novel “ The Pillars of the Earth” . This brings alive the period so that through its pages the politics, religion and social life of the times comes alive. Brilliant!

Brilliant there is no other possible descriptor for this book. Familiar characters in a familiar setting and yet, completely delightful and brilliantly done. I read it twice, just to be certain I didn't miss a single detail. I love every word.

You know what you're getting with a Ken Follett book - a hefty tome, a detailed epic and a complete escape into a different world. In this case we start off in 997AD, the English coast and a Viking raid. We swiftly meet the main characters, the irredeemable villain of the bishop, the local lord, the Norman princess, a young boatbuilder turned farmer, a monk determined to turn his monastery into a centre for learning...

Fast paced, classic Follett.

Unputdownable prequel: fans of medieval history must try this

History’s dark side, but also how advances happened.

I fell in love with The Pillars of the Earth early on, then loved the TV series. World Without End showed that Follett knew he was onto a winner with archetypes and structure but that didn’t matter, he creates winning good guys, appallingly hateable bad guys and gives us a visually immersive world that I’ve rarely seen explored in fiction before.

While this is technically a prequel to the series, you can read it as a stand-alone without foreknowledge of the characters or events of the others. In 997, an independently-minded noblewoman in Cherbourg falls for an older Englishman from the upper classes, thus changing her prospects. Over in England, Edgar and his family have the consequences of a Viking raid to live with, as lives and livelihoods are lost to the raiders. These two stories give us the story of a years-long plot that involves political machinations, intrigues, and the everyday lives of the poor and rich alike.

Edgar’s inspiration in the series can be easily seen in Tom Builder/Jack, and the boatbuilder and his sharp, problem-solving mind gives us a clue just how advances must have been made. For someone like me who isn’t technologically minded, I found the description if bridge- and raft-building just as intriguing as cathedral building was with Tom. And Ragna’s seemingly worlds-apart life journey, as newcomer, foreigner, new wife and authority figure is just as compelling as we get the chance to see the role of women in medieval society, and how they could influence events.

There are several strong female characters here, some wealthy and some from much more humble origins. They give a good account of themselves (even if some are motivated by less-than-honourable intentions) - it was clearly not a man’s world alone.

The origins of the class system are also very clear to see, as money is kept within families, power transferred, opponents and anyone likely to show promise and leadership removed, the influential family at the heart of these events always able to control proceedings from their vantage point. Not much changed even in a thousand years...

There is a fair amount of educational content here, facts about living conditions, health (“Ma and Pa had taught their sons to keep themselves fresh by bashing at least once a year.”), political systems, marriage, religion and how people thought and saw their world. Seeing out own from a distance and how we’ve moved on from our antecedents is just fascinating.

A dangerous world, a hard world to survive in, but a completely intoxicating glimpse, with the best of heroes and villains that you would hope for in a saga. I hope this too is transferred into a TV series, it’s perfectly set up to make a excellent historical drama.

800 pages flew by in just four days, I highly recommend this.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

As always from Ken Follett the book can't be faulted at all. I lived in his world, such a wonderful storyteller of life, repression, failures and success, of hardships, the weather and the countryside. The characters are well thought out, the storyline is gripping and the ending perfect. So interesting to read a description of the development of Kingsbridge. Prequels don't always work well, this really, really does!