I finally found a copy of Fall of Giants, book one of the Century Trilogy, and somehow ended up with two. So much for checking LibraryThing to make sure I had it before I bought it. I saw the second book of the Century Trilogy (Winter of the World) in my favorite used bookstore several times but never Fall of Giants.
I was intrigued by the premise of the trilogy. I wouldn't consider myself an avid reader of historical fiction. Maybe I am merely reluctant to admit my tastes are changing as I progress in my years. I do like a well-written story based on real events.
Fall of Giants follows the interwoven lives of five families from June 1911 to January 1924. The characters are miners, aristocrats, factory workers, revolutionaries, and lovers. This book portrays their lives as they progress through the world events of this period. It takes history and personalizes it. History moves from mere facts to a personal level.
Fall of Giants is the second book by Ken Follett that I have read. I read Pillars of the Earth last year. I have one issue with his writing. I am not a fan of the sexual aspects that he chooses to include. Of course, people have sex. Yes, it is normal. I question the necessity of its inclusion in the overall story. I haven't found that descriptions of luxurious pubic hair as necessary to enhance the plot or the character. I will grant that Mr. Follett doesn't delve into crudeness, of which I am thankful. I question the need to be descriptive of the sex scenes at all.
I found myself wrapped up in the characters and the plot of this book. As I said above, this book brings history to a personal level by showing us how the events impacted the characters and how the characters impacted the events. It puts on display the human desire to endure, to stand up for what is right, and to do what is right for themselves. It is a book about strength, growth, and revolution.
Revolution is a theme that woven throughout the book. It is evident in the Bolsheviks of Russia. Women fight for their right to vote. The lower class challenges the aristocracy. It is evident in the differences in thinking between sons and fathers, daughters and mothers. The desire to keep the status quo challenged on many levels.
The final pages of the book wrap up all the loose ends neatly. The last hundred pages felt a little rushed in comparison with the rest of the book. I kept in mind that there is a book that follows, and these pages quite possibly set the stage for the next book. I anticipate enjoying "Winter of the World" as much as I did this one.
Quite simply, if you are a fan of historical fiction, you won't go wrong with this book. It is a grand story of love, hate, and revolution. Please do yourself a favor and read it.
Larry