World Without End

It is now the 14th Century in Knightsbridge; two centuries after the building of the cathedral.  A group of young people spy a knight fighting for his life in the forest.  They help him and thereby entwine their lives for the next several decades.

In this sequel to Ken Follett's "The Pillars of the Earth" the young people from various different walks of life grow up in the area of the great cathedral.  They fall in love, battle with one another and have children.  Life is not easy, but each becomes successful in his or her own way. 

Merthin becomes a master builder; the love of his life, Caris is forced into the nunnery to escape being hung for witchcraft.  Merthin's brother Ralph starts out as a squire to an earl, but earns a knighthood.  Their friend Gwenda lives the life of a serf, but manages to charm the man that she loves, Wulfric.  For all of them, life revolves in one way or another around the cathedral.

Life is not easy for any of them, each having a variety of trials and tribulations, the biggest of which is the plague, which kills thousands.  How will they survive this devastating pestilence?  Will it be prayer and superstition or healthy practises?

Follett has written an intriguing novel of life in the 14th Century.  For fans of historical novels, it will be hard to put down.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.