In General
1. What did everyone think? Rate it on a scale of 1-10.2. Did you like the book? If so, why? 3. If you didn't like the book, what were your reasons?
The Characters1. Were you able to identify with any of the characters?
2. What stood out about each character? Aliena, Jack, Tom Builder, Prior Phillip, Ellen, Alfred, Richard, Waleran Bigod, William Hamleigh?
3. Any other characters you’d like to discuss?
1. What did everyone think? Rate it on a scale of 1-10.2. Did you like the book? If so, why? 3. If you didn't like the book, what were your reasons?
The Characters1. Were you able to identify with any of the characters?
2. What stood out about each character? Aliena, Jack, Tom Builder, Prior Phillip, Ellen, Alfred, Richard, Waleran Bigod, William Hamleigh?
3. Any other characters you’d like to discuss?
In Depth Discussion Questions:
· Ken Follett has said: “When I started to look at cathedrals, I wondered: Who built them, and why?
The book is my answer to that question.” Why do you think the great medieval cathedrals were built?
Some things to think about:
How does the building of the cathedral satisfy the ambitions of the main characters – Tom Builder, Prior Philip, Aliena and Jack? How does it affect the lives of other important characters in the story?
The book is my answer to that question.” Why do you think the great medieval cathedrals were built?
Some things to think about:
How does the building of the cathedral satisfy the ambitions of the main characters – Tom Builder, Prior Philip, Aliena and Jack? How does it affect the lives of other important characters in the story?
· Although 'The Pillars of the Earth' is fiction, it includes some real-life characters and incidents from history, such as King Stephen at the battle of Lincoln, and the murder of Thomas Becket. Why does the author mix fact and fiction like this?
Some things to think about:
Are the factual scenes told from the point of view of the real-life characters, or the fictional ones? Are the fictional characters major or minor players in the big historical events of the time?
Some things to think about:
Are the factual scenes told from the point of view of the real-life characters, or the fictional ones? Are the fictional characters major or minor players in the big historical events of the time?
· Women were second-class citizens in medieval society and the church. Is this accurately reflected in 'The Pillars of the Earth'?
Some things to think about:
What attitudes to women are shown by Prior Philip and William Hamleigh? How do Agnes, Ellen and Aliena respond to society’s expectations?
Some things to think about:
What attitudes to women are shown by Prior Philip and William Hamleigh? How do Agnes, Ellen and Aliena respond to society’s expectations?
· Some readers have said that they look at medieval churches with new eyes after reading 'The Pillars of the Earth'. Do you think you will do the same?
Some things to think about:
In the book, churches are usually viewed through the eyes of a builder. How does this affect your understanding of the architecture?
Some things to think about:
In the book, churches are usually viewed through the eyes of a builder. How does this affect your understanding of the architecture?
· Ken Follett has said: “I’m not a very spiritual person. I’m more interested in the material problems of building a cathedral.” Is 'The Pillars of the Earth' a spiritual book?
Some things to think about:
What motivates Prior Philip? What does Tom say at the beginning of Chapter 5, when Philip asks him why he wants to be master builder? In Chapter 16, why does Philip ask Remigius to come back to the priory?
Some things to think about:
What motivates Prior Philip? What does Tom say at the beginning of Chapter 5, when Philip asks him why he wants to be master builder? In Chapter 16, why does Philip ask Remigius to come back to the priory?
