The Evening and the Morning

Ken Follett's “The Evening and the Morning” is a prequel to his acclaimed “Pillars of the Earth” series, set in England during the Dark Ages. The novel is an expansive and ambitious work of historical fiction that traces the lives of three central characters: Edgar, a boatbuilder from a small English village; Ragna, a Norman noblewoman with a complex past; and Merthin, a Welsh monk whose faith is tested by the tumultuous events of the time.

Follett's writing is characterized by a meticulous attention to historical detail, particularly in his depictions of architecture, craft, and warfare. The plot is driven by a series of interlocking storylines that take the characters on a journey from the English countryside to the streets of Paris, with each character grappling with their own personal challenges and the larger forces shaping the world around them.

While the novel's length - clocking in at over 800 pages - may seem daunting, Follett's prose is accessible and engaging, with a clear and direct narrative style that keeps the story moving forward. The characters are well-drawn and complex, with nuanced motivations and relationships that evolve over the course of the novel.