Kadomi reviewed Fall of Giants by Ken Follett (Century -- bk. 1)
Review of 'Fall of Giants' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This is one of Ken Follett's epic multi-year, many different characters historical tales that I have always enjoyed so much. Fall of Giants covers the time from 1914 to 1923, and you get to experience World War I from the PoV of characters in England, Wales, Russia, Germany and the USA. Their lives are all oddly intertwined. I don't usually read war novels, but I thought the way Follett breaks down the events of the war made for very interesting reading. I was particularly interested in reading about the Bolshevik revolution in Russia in 1917, and Europe's responses to that.
The characters are interesting, but stay a bit one-dimensional. I thought that was most obvious in the case of Fitz, who represents British nobility. Impregnates the housekeeper, and all in all a non-sympathetic character. But it's hard to have any feelings concerning him at all, because he is all so …
This is one of Ken Follett's epic multi-year, many different characters historical tales that I have always enjoyed so much. Fall of Giants covers the time from 1914 to 1923, and you get to experience World War I from the PoV of characters in England, Wales, Russia, Germany and the USA. Their lives are all oddly intertwined. I don't usually read war novels, but I thought the way Follett breaks down the events of the war made for very interesting reading. I was particularly interested in reading about the Bolshevik revolution in Russia in 1917, and Europe's responses to that.
The characters are interesting, but stay a bit one-dimensional. I thought that was most obvious in the case of Fitz, who represents British nobility. Impregnates the housekeeper, and all in all a non-sympathetic character. But it's hard to have any feelings concerning him at all, because he is all so one-note. His part of the story is very Downton Abbey, just with flatter characters. I would have liked insights into his wife Bea, a Russian princess but she's just there to give birth to children and have histrionics otherwise.
Nevertheless, I was highly entertained so I read this mammoth of a book in little time. I am very much looking forward to the second book that will continue the story through World War II with the next generation of Fitzpatricks, Williams, von Ulrichs, Dewars and Peshkovs.
