World Without End

Synopsis

#1 New York Times Bestseller

In 1989, Ken Follett astonished the literary world with The Pillars of the Earth, a sweeping epic novel set in twelfth-century England centered on the building of a cathedral and many of the hundreds of lives it affected.

World Without End is its equally irresistible sequel-set two hundred years after The Pillars of the Earth and three hundred years after the Kingsbridge prequel, The Evening and the Morning.

World Without End takes place in the same town of Kingsbridge, two centuries after the townspeople finished building the exquisite Gothic cathedral that was at the heart of The Pillars of the Earth. The cathedral and the priory are again at the center of a web of love and hate, greed and pride, ambition and revenge, but this sequel stands on its own. This time the men and women of an extraordinary cast of characters find themselves at a crossroads of new ideas-about medicine, commerce, architecture, and justice. In a world where proponents of the old ways fiercely battle those with progressive minds, the intrigue and tension quickly reach a boiling point against the devastating backdrop of the greatest natural disaster ever to strike the human race-the Black Death. 

Three years in the writing and nearly eighteen years since its predecessor, World Without End is a "well-researched, beautifully detailed portrait of the late Middle Ages" (The Washington Post) that once again shows that Ken Follett is a masterful author writing at the top of his craft.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Pilgrimage

* A group of pilgrims, led by Caris Wooler, sets off on a treacherous journey to Canterbury Cathedral.
* Along the way, they encounter hardships, including harsh weather, bandits, and suspicious strangers.

Example: Caris, a strong-willed young woman, leads her fellow pilgrims through a raging storm, inspiring them with her unwavering faith.

Chapter 2: The Miracle

* The pilgrims arrive at Canterbury and experience a series of miracles, including the healing of a cripple and the discovery of a lost relic.
* Caris witnesses these miracles firsthand and is deeply affected by them.

Example: A young boy with a clubfoot is miraculously healed after touching the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket.

Chapter 3: The Plague

* A deadly plague sweeps through the land, ravaging towns and villages.
* The pilgrims are forced to quarantine themselves at a deserted abbey, where they face fear, isolation, and loss.

Example: Brother Godwyn, a gentle monk, becomes infected with the plague and is nursed tirelessly by Caris.

Chapter 4: The Siege

* A group of outlaws led by Merthin attacks the abbey, seeking refuge from the plague.
* The pilgrims and monks are forced to defend themselves against the invaders.

Example: Caris uses her skills as a healer to treat the wounded, both friend and foe alike.

Chapter 5: The Trial

* After the siege, Caris is accused of witchcraft by the jealous Alice Perrers.
* She is forced to undergo a trial by ordeal, where she must walk barefoot across burning coals.

Example: Caris walks through the fire with unwavering faith, proving her innocence and inspiring awe in her accusers.

Chapter 6: The Aftermath

* The plague subsides, and the abbey is rebuilt.
* Caris and her fellow survivors emerge as heroes, their lives forever changed by the trials they have endured.

Example: The abbey becomes a place of hope and healing, where the pilgrims find solace and a renewed purpose in life.