Book Review
Title: The Evening and
the Morning
Author: Ken Follett
Publisher: Viking, 2020
Pages: 915
Ken Follett is a master when
it comes to narrating tales about the medieval period. His Kingsbridge trilogy
went on to sell millions of copies in various languages. The Evening and the
Morning is a prequel to the trilogy. It tells the story of some very
fascinating characters who lived at the turn of the second millennium CE. The plot
is set in Kings Bridge (as Deng’s Ferry came to be known in that period with
the replacement of the ferry by a bridge) and surrounding places in the period
of 997-1097.
Ragna, a Norman noblewoman, falls
in love with Wilf, a British aristocrat without knowing that he was already
married. Those were days when the British men could just “set aside” an
existing wife in order to take a new one and thus Ragna becomes Wilf’s legal
wife. Those were days when priests had wives and children though not always openly.
Even bishops and cardinals had concubines as well as other clandestine
pleasures. Wilf’s brother, Wynstan, is one such bishop whose venality knows no
limits. They have one more brother, Wigelm, whose brain is not as clever as
that of his brothers but the brutality of his heart does give them a
competition. Ragna has to deal with not only these vile men but also their
mother. She has much to endure.
Aldred is a noble monk who
tries to bring more knowledge, light, and wisdom into the dark world that he
lives in. Wynstan won’t make it easy for him and he has much to endure too.
Ragna’s goodness becomes his sustenance to some extent.
There is a younger man, Edgar,
who is an illiterate carpenter whose destiny becomes inextricably intertwined
with those of Ragna and Aldred. All these three characters are driven by
certain ideals such as integrity, justice, and compassion. But all the powerful
people in their world are wicked. Why is goodness so helpless? This is one of
the fundamental questions raised in the massive novel.
The state and the church were
always in collusion in those days. Even now the collusion continues though not
so overtly. Both the church and the state worked for keeping a few aristocrats,
a small group of powerful men, securely in charge of everything. Everything
includes the ordinary people too. People were just tools to be wielded as
situations demanded. How Bishop Wynstan uses and throws people at the quirk of
his will is just an example.
Follett keeps the reader
engaged from the first page to the last. The plot moves from one gripping
incident to another. This novel is yet another unputdownable thriller from him.
PS. October
is the month of The Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa
campaign of which this blog is a part.
Look forward to read this, have never read Ken earlier. Thriller are really my favorite. Thanks for reviewing.
ReplyDeleteFollett is charming. He re-creates the period convincingly.
DeleteLooking for something like this I will give this a read . Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteIt's really gripping especially if you are interested in ancient periods.
DeleteI have read 'Eye of the needle' by Ken Follett. This is very precise and well-penned review. Definitely adding this one to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found the review useful.
DeleteThis sounds like a gripping story .I like how you reviewed it keeping the suspense intact
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThis sounds promising. Thriller and suspense are a favourite genre. Thank you for the detailed review. Will definitely check this one out.
ReplyDeleteFollett is a wonderful story teller.
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