Home › Books made into movies › The Pillars of the Earth
The Pillars of the Earth (2010): TV Series vs Book
TV series · 2010 · Directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan · Starring Ian McShane, Matthew Macfadyen, Eddie Redmayne
About the tv series
The building of a great cathedral during a time of civil war.
How close is it to the book?
Close to the bookThe series follows the novel's main strands, with much of the plot compressed.
Read or watch first?
The book is very long and rewards patient readers.
What the book gives you
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
A big, immersive story with fierce rivalries, love and ambition, set around the building of a cathedral. Hard to put down once you settle in.
Who will like it: Readers who love long, absorbing historical sagas about builders, rivals and a great cathedral.