The Armor of Light

This novel is a phenomenal tapestry intrically woven out of the very different characters Follett initially cobbled together. The way he eventually brings the very diverse stories into an extremely pleasing story woven around historical events such as the effects of industrialization, Napoleon's rise and fall as well as the battle at Waterloo, produces a phenomenal tapestry akin to the fabrics (and their production) his main characters build their lives around. I love his settings, his characters and the peeks into their thoughts, which made the plot difficult to predict (and therefore more enjoyable). I will pick this book up again, I am sure, for it is masterfully written and extremely enjoyable.

Pillars of the Earth would be one of my most favourite books of all time. Just me. The follow up books have been excellent reads also but definitely 1 step down from Pillars of the earth in my view which still makes them great books. So I had high hopes for "Armour of light" given its been a while for the Author to continue the series. The time period the book is based on makes it fascinatingly interesting and you can tell by the writing style, it is in blocks of research fictionalised to paint an old worldly story about the in-equality and injustices of the time and worker oppression that takes the end of a war to get some resemblance justice back. The key characters are well placed throughout the dialogue and maintain an excellent story continuation even if the different scenarios were some what start - stop through the industrialisation of what was a largely manual fabric making industry. The portrayal of the one sided Laws, their passing and how they were applied gave great insights and underpinned tough times and keeping the masses oppressed. The Napoleon wars and impact on the book made for great historical reading and fitted well with the story. I enjoyed the book as it gives ample opportunity for the reader to take so much from it to appreciate in your own interpretations. I would place it second best in the series and highly recommend it.

I have enjoyed this series. Each book has taken a time in history of Kingsbridge as the making of a town/community and the way of life of the people, society, and governments. This one takes place in the 1800s. To my surprise I found that life was as harsh in this time as it was in medieval times. But I felt I learned a lot of history and got an appreciation for different classes of people. I’d recommend this book to any one who enjoys historical novels.

Good read

The Armor of Light is the 5th and presumably the last book in Ken Follet’s Kingsbridge series. The story takes place between 1792 and 1825 during a period that saw the beginnings of the industrialization of the textile industry in England, including Kingsbridge which had been a spinning and weaving center for centuries, and the Napoleonic wars. The first disrupted the lifestyle and employment of the residents of England, including Kingsbridge, and the deterioration of the economy caused by the long running war with France. Industrialization of the trades resulted in the loss of employment for the working class while the war caused high inflation making everything more expensive for the people, while the owners of the businesses got richer. As usual there is a large cast of characters many of whom could qualify as the main character, but the story generally follows the life of Sal Clitheroe, a cottage industry spinner and wife of a general laborer. When her husband dies as the result of a preventable accident caused by the stupidity of the Squire’s son, her life is turned on its side. Eventually she must leave her hometown of Bedford for Kingsbridge with Kit, her 7-year-old son in tow, where she gains employment in the mill of a weaver installing a spinning machine that can handle up to 8 spindles. The story develops as more Kingsbridge weavers begin installing more machines that result in more workers losing their jobs. This then leads to more antagonization between the mill owners and the workers. The main antagonists include Joseph Hornbeam, owner of the largest mills in Kingsbridge, and Will Riddick, the son of the Squire. Both are mortal enemies of the workers, with Hornbeam interested only in enriching himself and gaining power, while Riddick just drinks and gambles away any money he gets. Because the story covers over 30 years, it goes through several phases: the initial struggles of the workers and the mill owners; attempts by the workers to organize while Parliament, led by the Prime Minister, passes a series of laws protecting the rights of the owners with harsh punishments against those violating these laws; the personal lives of the main characters, including marriages, births, deaths and adultery; and ending with participation of the Kingsbridge regiment in the battle of Waterloo; and the aftermath of the end of the war on the characters in Kingsbridge. I found this book to be more in keeping with the general themes of the first 2 books in the series. Most of the action takes place in Kingsbridge and its surroundings; the division of the characters by their societal class seems realistic; the setting of the main stories is historically correct; and the story, although long, flows smoothly and quickly. I would recommend this book even if you have not read the preceding books in this series.

I like the book. I am a fan of Mr.Ken Follett

Y con esta novela no defrauda, Siempre se aprende algo leyendo a este autor, metiéndote en una historia amena. La verdad es que da pena que se acabe. Muy entretenida.

Excellent, as always with this author

This book is a disappointment as part of the Kingsbridge series, of which I enjoyed the other installments immensely. The writing is basic, the characters fall flat, the plot is so predictable - I genuinely can't believe it is the same author as "Pillars of the Earth". Reading it is torturous, like watching paint dry.

Volume da saga Kingsbridge. como sempre uma novela empolgante, com referências históricas , intrigas etc amei cada página!