For what did I know?

I love Ken Follett. Ever since my Dad introduced me to him a few years ago, he has become one of my favourite authors. Every book I have ever read by him, ok that’s not entirely true I wasn’t a huge fan of one book, I have loved and devoured. This book took me a shockingly long time to finish. I attribute most of that to the fact that I took about three weeks off to read a book that I didn’t really like and never even finished. Such a waste, but what can you do?

This book is the first in a new trilogy by Follett, which follows five interconnected families from the United Kingdom, America, Russia and Germany through landmark events occurring in the twentieth century. The families come from all walks of life, from poor coal mine labourers all the way to rich noblemen.

Fall of Giants takes place during the years 1911 and 1924 and follows events leading up to the First World War, the Russian Revolution and the fight for Woman’s suffrage. This book lends a lot of insight onto the why of the First World War, which was refreshing. It also begins to introduce the events leading up to the Second World War during the very last pages of the book, alluding to one of the themes of Follet’s second in the trilogy.

Each of the families plays an important role in all of the events that are taking place. At times it seems like it is unlikely that such things really happened, and at times I think they are. During a Christmas Day ceasefire during the First World War, two characters meet in no-man’s land while their soldiers are intermingling. Despite these brief respites, Follett sticks close to reality while maintaining an air of excitement.

I really enjoy how Follett blends real historical figures, with those who are purely fictional. He makes sure that any events he describes could have or really did happen, which I appreciate immensely. His characters are so rich and you really come to sympathise with them through their struggles and triumphs.