Title: Entertaining read
Product review: I think some of the hype around this book (of which there seems to be a lot) is a little overblown, but Pillars of the Earth is definitely an entertaining read. There are a variety of colorful and interesting characters and I particularly enjoyed some of the insights into "common life" in the middle ages (although I can't of course vouch for their accuracy). [SPOILER ALERT] I will say that I thought the rape-addicted character of William Hamleigh was a little overdone. The first time it happened, it fit just fine in the book and obviously served to develop his (evil!) character and serve as a plot device. The second time I can accept as another glimpse into his disturbed inner being (and another opportunity for the author to stir up a little hate in his readers for William). But eventually it just got heavy-handed and tiresome. We've already accepted that William is a terrible person - describing yet another sexual assault doesn't add anything to the story.
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