World Without End is a historical novel that follows the lives of four characters in Kingsbridge, England from the 14th century. The characters experience victories, failures, marriages and more over the course of 40 years as they live through the plague and social upheaval. The novel explores themes of faith, society and human spirit as it depicts daily life and the struggle to survive amid oppressive rulers and changing social structures. It provides insight into medieval Europe through the eyes of fully developed characters living through important historical events of the time period.
1. World Without Enda Novel byKen Follett This is a Book Review produced for ELA 6, 7, 8 at Dawson Junior High School By: Mr. Biffle
2. Plot World Without Endis a historical novel about the lives of four people in England of the Middle Ages. We follow the lives of a girl who wants to be doctor, a boy genius destined to be wealthy, a thief raised on the edge of society, and a boy who wants honor and a title for himself. The characters grow through life from about the age of ten years, to forty years of age. Within these years, all experience victories, failures, marriages, children, sickness, death, and others who care for no one but themselves.
3. Much of this novel is about Faith. All science and learning was dictated by the Christian Church of Medieval times. Amid the backdrop of the struggle to stay alive, and perhaps even improve life, were brutal Kings, and Nobles. Most of the aristocracy made law when it served to oppress the serf– basically a slave. Many, but not all clergy were self-serving, interpreting God’s will as they saw fit to further their own personal aims. The middle class was struggling to emerge through the practice of trade and manufacture.
4. Our central characters witness anattack on a Knight of the King, and the Knight with their help succeeds in killing his attackers. He has with him a secret letter written by the Queen. If this letter became known, the death of the Queen would result. The Knight has all the kids swear to never reveal its whereabouts, and has them bury the letter in the forest where it remains for almost forty years.
5. Characters There are about twenty defined characters. Caris Wooler is a girl who wants to become a doctor, but she can’t because she is a woman. Caris also invented a way to dye wool a deep red color. She is accused of being a witch, and sentenced to death, but is “allowed” to join the convent. She is a nun for about 15 years, but she really loves Merthin. She is very caring of people, very strong, and smart.
6. Merthin Bridger is a genius, and He is different from others. He is gifted as a builder, architect, and inventor. He loves Caris, but can’t marry her. He goes to Italy where he becomes wealthy. After about ten years he returns to England and establishes himself. He is very intelligent, good to others, and hardworking. He builds a stone bridge and he builds the tallest building in England.
7. Conflict There are numerous Man vs. Man conflicts since life is such a struggle. One of the central conflicts is Man vs. Society. The upper class seeks to oppress the serfs, keeping them poor. The Church wants to restrict the growth of science because it is new. Man vs. Nature is also important when the Plague, or Black Death kills about ¼ of the population of Europe.
8. Setting Kingsbridge, England in the mid 1300’s is the main setting. There is a cathedral built 200 years ago that is central to the story. 700 years ago life was hard, especially for the poor. There were no laws protecting people, but that was beginning to change. There are castles, simple villages for the peasants, and small cities where the middle class was growing through trade and manfacture.
9. Theme Ken Follett’s intention in this novel is to paint a picture of the human spirit. His message develops the notion that people were not afforded a comfortable life as we are today. But people still lived, loved, built, killed, and sought to renew hope whenever possible. Life, though a struggle, with Faith, hard work and a little luck can improve.
10. Evaluation This is a long book of over 1,000 pages. A reader who loves to witness growth in the human spirit through history, who believes in the power of knowledge and learning would love this book. The characters are wonderfully drawn, and the elements of superb story telling are here. This book gives one a taste of life Medieval Europe, and lends a color to current times as people are much the same today in 2011. Read it!
11. Point of View The major point of view is First Person, but this shifts into different characters. Caris tells much of the story, and Merthin also narrates action as it occurs. When dealing with other minor characters, the point of view is third person, and a narrator outside the story relates the plot.
