In 1989, Ken Follett decided to publish The Pillars of The Earth, his first historical novel which became a worldwide best-seller and which is still his best-selling book. The story was such a success it was adapted to the television 20 years later in a 8 episodes mini-series produced by Ridley Scott, among others.
During the twelfth century, in a context of civil war known as the Anarchy the readers follow the progress of the construction of a Cathedral in the fictional city of Kingsbridge.
The depiction from both the book and mini-series also enables us to approach the every day life of the inhabitants as well as the role of the Church and the nobility at that time.
Studying the genre of historical fiction raises questions. First of all, what is an historical fiction? What aspects of the non-fictional history has Ken Follett emphasized? How are these aspects relevant for a 20th century readership? Is the mini-series accentuating the same points? To what point the story is fictionalized? How much is it faithful to History?
Since all these questions deserve answers they'll be analysed and linked to understand the role of the Church in the 12th century society according to Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth.
Danielle D.A.Y
