World Without End

How do you know you are starting to feel better? You can smell yourself. 6 days home sick doesn't always result in daily showers, and when you do take a shower, it's more to ease the suffering of whatever it is that ails you. Okay, I know that's kind of nasty, but I'm just trying to be honest. I swear I'll take a nice, hot shower after I post this. I'll even wash my hair! But perhaps my week alone at home will justify what will be a long entry...

Despite having the same several books on my Reading Materials list for quite some time now, I still bought a new book. I couldn't resist -- there I was in Borders and the first thing I see in the New Fiction section is World Without End. I didn't even hesitate to take a copy once I realized what it was... a sequel of sorts to Ken Follett's earlier (late 80's?) book, Pillars of the Earth.

I read Pillars of the Earth while hanging out in a little town called Roses, on the coast of Spain -- an area known as Costa Brava. This was in 1992. It was a great book, the story of which revolves around the lives of people in a town in England as a majestic cathedral is built. The timing was perfect because I was traveling through Europe and seeing medieval churches galore. I think I read all of Follett's books while in Europe then. No matter what train station I found myself in, I could be assured that a Follett book would be close at hand. But I digress. I got totally engrossed in Pillars of the Earth and even regretted finishing. It was no great work of literature, but it was easy to get caught up in the lives of the characters and to imagine myself there with them. And to see cathedrals that were similar in ways to the one described in the story made it all the better. I have recommended the book many times since then and most of those who actually read it based on my recommendation enjoyed it as well.

I've only read a short way into World Without End yet I am already getting the same feeling while reading. Follett is a great researcher and, as a person who loves history, it is always a pleasure to see fiction tied so nicely with history. The details make the scenes more realistic, but do not take away from the story in any way. It is a large book, so I expect it will take some time for me to make my way through to the end. I will keep you all appraised as I progress. So far, one of the characters has narrowly escaped a horrible fate, another has succumbed to a moment of lust that may last him a lifetime, and yet another is plotting his rise to power. Sigh. Such drama. Such excitement.

I should note that I did finish reading my last book before I started World Without End. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is the first Le Carré book I've read, despite having seen all the Hollywood renditions. I was never big on spy stories, though I have read a few over time. But this was an exceptional book. Well written, intriguing, holding you to the very end, waiting to find out the identify of the Soviet mole. I shall read more Le Carré.

And another picture for your viewing pleasure. This one is a piece of detail from a needlepoint tapestry that hangs at Filoli, a beautiful historical home with sprawling gardens near Redwood City. If you live in the Bay Area, it is a place worth visiting.