The Armor of Light: A Novel (Kingsbridge)
The long-awaited sequel to A Column of Fire, The Armor of Light, heralds a new dawn for Kingsbridge, England, where progress clashes with tradition, class struggles push into every part of society, and war in Europe engulfs the entire continent and beyond.
The Spinning Jenny was invented in 1770, and with that, a new era of manufacturing and industry changed lives everywhere within a generation. A world filled with unrest wrestles for control over this new world order: A mother’s husband is killed in a work accident due to negligence; a young woman fights to fund her school for impoverished children; a well-intentioned young man unexpectedly inherits a failing business; one man ruthlessly protects his wealth no matter the cost, all the while war cries are heard from France, as Napoleon sets forth a violent master plan to become emperor of the world. As institutions are challenged and toppled in unprecedented fashion, ripples of change ricochet through our characters’ lives as they are left to reckon with the future and a world they must rebuild from the ashes of war.
Over thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, with this electrifying addition to the Kingsbridge series we are plunged into the battlefield between compassion and greed, love and hate, progress and tradition. It is through each character that we are given a new perspective to the seismic shifts that shook the world in nineteenth-century Europe.
The Spinning Jenny was invented in 1770, and with that, a new era of manufacturing and industry changed lives everywhere within a generation. A world filled with unrest wrestles for control over this new world order: A mother’s husband is killed in a work accident due to negligence; a young woman fights to fund her school for impoverished children; a well-intentioned young man unexpectedly inherits a failing business; one man ruthlessly protects his wealth no matter the cost, all the while war cries are heard from France, as Napoleon sets forth a violent master plan to become emperor of the world. As institutions are challenged and toppled in unprecedented fashion, ripples of change ricochet through our characters’ lives as they are left to reckon with the future and a world they must rebuild from the ashes of war.
Over thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, with this electrifying addition to the Kingsbridge series we are plunged into the battlefield between compassion and greed, love and hate, progress and tradition. It is through each character that we are given a new perspective to the seismic shifts that shook the world in nineteenth-century Europe.
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Community Reviews
The past two books in the Kingsbridge series have not kept me as engaged as the first two did. However, this book was very engaging and it felt like a return to that quality of work he is known for.
At the end with the battle I did find it hard to keep track of everyone and where everything was, but battles are usually hard for me to keep track of.
At the end with the battle I did find it hard to keep track of everyone and where everything was, but battles are usually hard for me to keep track of.
Another smash hit for Ken Follett. What a masterful writer and storyteller. In this book he makes the late 18th century come alive by following various families in England. Understanding religious divisions, in this case, between Methodists and Anglicans, are made clear through the thoughts and actions of the main characters.
Title: A Thought-Provoking Exploration of Society, Tradition, and Unrest
Rating: ★★★★★
Ken Follett's The Armor of Light is a masterful narrative set in Kingsbridge, England, a town steeped in tradition yet teetering on the precipice of societal change. The novel delves deep into themes of progress versus tradition, meticulously unraveling class struggles that affect every stratum of society. As war rages across Europe, Kingsbridge becomes a microcosm of the challenges and tumults that have historical precedence.
What sets this book apart is its nuanced approach to complex issues. It provides a multidimensional view of society during a time of change, akin to the civil unrest that led to legislation like the Riot Act of 1714 in Great Britain. Until reading this novel, I was unaware that the term "riot act," often used colloquially to warn or reprimand someone, originated from an actual law enacted during a period rife with riots and civil disobedience.
Follett crafts his characters and settings with a finesse that allows the reader to be fully engrossed in the narrative while also contemplating the larger societal issues at play. It serves as an apt mirror to the conditions that led to the enactment of the Riot Act, reflecting the same sense of urgency and need for control amidst chaos.
In summary, The Armor of Light is a compelling read, rich in historical context and keen observations on societal norms and disruptions. It serves not only as a riveting story but also as a scholarly examination of times of change, much like the year 1714 that saw the Coronation Riots and subsequent legislative responses in England.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in historical fiction that speaks to both the heart and the mind.
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