Parent read a riveting fiction book 14 years ago...what was it?
August 22, 2021 10:11 AM Subscribe
So my mom has reported reading a “couldn’t put it down” fiction book back in 2007 or 2008 and is trying to recall the title and more details about the book. Remembered details are sketchy but not entirely generic.
One major complicating factor is that she can’t recall whether this book was a classic or a new book, so it could have been written anytime between 1850 and 2008. She tells me that the book was written “in the era of Kings and Queens,” with feudalism and castles. She also recalls “a priest or man of God trying to build a church.”
Any leads? Please hope her if you can, bibliophilic MeFites! She really wants to remember this book!
One major complicating factor is that she can’t recall whether this book was a classic or a new book, so it could have been written anytime between 1850 and 2008. She tells me that the book was written “in the era of Kings and Queens,” with feudalism and castles. She also recalls “a priest or man of God trying to build a church.”
Any leads? Please hope her if you can, bibliophilic MeFites! She really wants to remember this book!
Best answer: The Pillars of the Earth?
posted by MonkeyToes at 10:14 AM on August 22, 2021 [7 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 10:14 AM on August 22, 2021 [7 favorites]
Response by poster: Well, in less than 3 minutes, it was double-identified! Thank you justkevin and MonkeyToes. Mom has happily confirmed that is the book.
posted by dreamphone at 10:33 AM on August 22, 2021 [9 favorites]
posted by dreamphone at 10:33 AM on August 22, 2021 [9 favorites]
The Spire by William Golding. Dang! too late to be wrong.
posted by BobTheScientist at 10:35 AM on August 22, 2021 [7 favorites]
posted by BobTheScientist at 10:35 AM on August 22, 2021 [7 favorites]
I recall enjoying the heck out of the 2010 miniseries with Ian McShane, Donald Sutherland, and Alison Pill.
posted by porpoise at 11:26 AM on August 22, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by porpoise at 11:26 AM on August 22, 2021 [3 favorites]
But wait! There's more!
World Without End (sequel)
A Column of Fire (sequel)
The Evening and the Morning (prequel)
posted by MonkeyToes at 12:22 PM on August 22, 2021 [5 favorites]
World Without End (sequel)
A Column of Fire (sequel)
The Evening and the Morning (prequel)
posted by MonkeyToes at 12:22 PM on August 22, 2021 [5 favorites]
Tell her that the sequels and prequels are not nearly as good. I'd like to save at least one other reader from that heartache.
posted by easy, lucky, free at 12:29 PM on August 22, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by easy, lucky, free at 12:29 PM on August 22, 2021 [8 favorites]
I had occasion to mail a paperback copy of Pillars of the Earth. It weighed exactly one kilogram.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 7:28 PM on August 22, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 7:28 PM on August 22, 2021 [4 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by justkevin at 10:14 AM on August 22, 2021 [28 favorites]