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Notre-Dame
"L'immagine di Notre-Dame in fiamme mi ha stupefatto e sconvolto nel profondo. Un bene di inestimabile valore stava morendo davanti ai nostri occhi. È stato spaventoso come se il suolo avesse cominciato a tremare sotto i nostri piedi". Così si esprime il grande scrittore all'indomani del tragico incendio che ha devastato la cattedrale di Notre-Dame la sera del 15 aprile 2019. Nel suo romanzo più famoso, "I pilastri della terra", Ken Follett aveva descritto minuziosamente il rogo della cattedrale di Kingsbridge, come fosse una premonizione di quanto è accaduto a Parigi. In quel romanzo migliaia di uomini e donne erano giunti da diversi paesi per aiutare a ricostruire la cattedrale. Con questo breve scritto Ken Follett ha deciso di rendere omaggio a Notre-Dame, devolvendo i proventi alla Fondation du Patrimoine, raccontando come si è sentito quando ha assistito a questo disastro, e ripercorre i momenti storici salienti della vita della grande cattedrale che nei secoli ha esercitato una fascinazione universale, dalla sua costruzione durata quasi un secolo, all'influenza che ha avuto sul genio narrativo di Victor Hugo.
84 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
1259 people are currently reading
4006 people want to read
About the author
Ken Follett
600 books59k followersKen Follett is one of the world’s most successful authors. Over 170 million copies of the 36 books he has written have been sold in over 80 countries and in 33 languages.
Born on June 5th, 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, the son of a tax inspector, Ken was educated at state schools and went on to graduate from University College, London, with an Honours degree in Philosophy – later to be made a Fellow of the College in 1995.
He started his career as a reporter, first with his hometown newspaper the South Wales Echo and then with the London Evening News. Subsequently, he worked for a small London publishing house, Everest Books, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director.
Ken’s first major success came with the publication of Eye of the Needle in 1978. A World War II thriller set in England, this book earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America. It remains one of Ken’s most popular books.
In 1989, Ken’s epic novel about the building of a medieval cathedral, The Pillars of the Earth, was published. It reached number one on best-seller lists everywhere and was turned into a major television series produced by Ridley Scott, which aired in 2010. World Without End, the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, proved equally popular when it was published in 2007.
Ken’s new book, The Evening and the Morning, will be published in September 2020. It is a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth and is set around the year 1,000, when Kingsbridge was an Anglo-Saxon settlement threatened by Viking invaders.
Ken has been active in numerous literacy charities and was president of Dyslexia Action for ten years. He was chair of the National Year of Reading, a joint initiative between government and businesses. He is also active in many Stevenage charities and is President of the Stevenage Community Trust and Patron of Home-Start Hertfordshire.
Ken, who loves music almost as much as he loves books, is an enthusiastic bass guitar player. He lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with his wife Barbara, the former Labour Member of Parliament for Stevenage. Between them they have five children, six grandchildren and two Labradors.
Born on June 5th, 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, the son of a tax inspector, Ken was educated at state schools and went on to graduate from University College, London, with an Honours degree in Philosophy – later to be made a Fellow of the College in 1995.
He started his career as a reporter, first with his hometown newspaper the South Wales Echo and then with the London Evening News. Subsequently, he worked for a small London publishing house, Everest Books, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director.
Ken’s first major success came with the publication of Eye of the Needle in 1978. A World War II thriller set in England, this book earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America. It remains one of Ken’s most popular books.
In 1989, Ken’s epic novel about the building of a medieval cathedral, The Pillars of the Earth, was published. It reached number one on best-seller lists everywhere and was turned into a major television series produced by Ridley Scott, which aired in 2010. World Without End, the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, proved equally popular when it was published in 2007.
Ken’s new book, The Evening and the Morning, will be published in September 2020. It is a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth and is set around the year 1,000, when Kingsbridge was an Anglo-Saxon settlement threatened by Viking invaders.
Ken has been active in numerous literacy charities and was president of Dyslexia Action for ten years. He was chair of the National Year of Reading, a joint initiative between government and businesses. He is also active in many Stevenage charities and is President of the Stevenage Community Trust and Patron of Home-Start Hertfordshire.
Ken, who loves music almost as much as he loves books, is an enthusiastic bass guitar player. He lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with his wife Barbara, the former Labour Member of Parliament for Stevenage. Between them they have five children, six grandchildren and two Labradors.
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October 14, 2020
Food for Peace
Every time I’m angry, irritated or feeling like a tiger ready to jump on top of its prey, I go to a church. Since I’m not even religious, I don’t go there to purify my soul. I go there due to the instant calming effect I experience, and I thoroughly recommend you the same recipe! 😉
Churches, chapels, cathedrals... are all food for peace — this kind of buildings have a magical soothing effect on human souls. In that sense, in a world like ours, they are priceless and should be preserved.
By writing a book about Notre-Dame and donating its proceeds to La Fondation du Patrimoine, Ken Follett is contributing to the reconstruction of a priceless monument of peace on Earth. Since we live in a world where violence assumes all sorts of varieties, such a noble attitude is welcome, and deserves all the support it can get...👍
Every time I’m angry, irritated or feeling like a tiger ready to jump on top of its prey, I go to a church. Since I’m not even religious, I don’t go there to purify my soul. I go there due to the instant calming effect I experience, and I thoroughly recommend you the same recipe! 😉
Churches, chapels, cathedrals... are all food for peace — this kind of buildings have a magical soothing effect on human souls. In that sense, in a world like ours, they are priceless and should be preserved.
By writing a book about Notre-Dame and donating its proceeds to La Fondation du Patrimoine, Ken Follett is contributing to the reconstruction of a priceless monument of peace on Earth. Since we live in a world where violence assumes all sorts of varieties, such a noble attitude is welcome, and deserves all the support it can get...👍
November 1, 2019
In response to the fire that engulfed the Notre Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019, Ken Follett has put together this short piece to discuss the importance of this edifice. While news reports discussed the historic nature of this stone building, Follett points to a few other aspects that the reader might not have known. It took a great deal of time in the 12th century to erect this building, complete with spires so that it could be seen across the French countryside. It was so iconic that literary pieces began using it as a backdrop, such as Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, or as a piece of reference—Follett’s own The Pillars of the Earth. It saw the ascension of political figures and was, for the most part, untouched during the Nazi bombings. This building has withstood a great deal and it is always being transformed to ameliorate its presence. While the fire may have gutted parts of this priceless edifice, it will be rebuilt, stronger and with newer technologies, allowing Notre Dame Cathedral to remain a focal point for generations to come. Fans of Follett’s historical fiction will enjoy these extremely brief essays that shed light on an architectural marvel. With all the proceeds of sales of the collection going towards the rebuilding effort, one can rest assured that Follett’s heart is in the right place. Recommended for those curious about the building or the reader who needs something interesting to read over a cup of something.
Kudos, Mr. Follett, for this wonderful piece. Short as it is, the impact is certainly present.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Kudos, Mr. Follett, for this wonderful piece. Short as it is, the impact is certainly present.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
October 24, 2025
Notre-Dame — Fonte de Paz Inestimável
Crentes ou não, aqueles que entram numa catedral (desde que seres sencientes), são invadidos por uma profunda paz instantânea — uma sensação única e preciosa que lhe confere uma espiritualidade irrefutável.
Ken Follett, que já deu mostras nos Pilares da Terra, de ser um apaixonado por catedrais, tinha que reagir:
“Tweetou”, concedeu entrevistas, participou em programas... e por último ... fez aquilo que melhor sabe — uma homenagem escrita a Notre-Dame, onde nos conta a sua história, e participa na sua reconstrução, legando os direitos deste livro à Fondation du Patrimoine
Escusado será dizer, que esta nobre intervenção é de louvar e apoiar, pois neste nosso mundo conturbado, ao qual a violência não é estranha, qualquer fonte de paz é para estimar e preservar
Como corolário, Notre-Dame agradece e a Paz também 👍
Crentes ou não, aqueles que entram numa catedral (desde que seres sencientes), são invadidos por uma profunda paz instantânea — uma sensação única e preciosa que lhe confere uma espiritualidade irrefutável.
Ken Follett, que já deu mostras nos Pilares da Terra, de ser um apaixonado por catedrais, tinha que reagir:
“Tweetou”, concedeu entrevistas, participou em programas... e por último ... fez aquilo que melhor sabe — uma homenagem escrita a Notre-Dame, onde nos conta a sua história, e participa na sua reconstrução, legando os direitos deste livro à Fondation du Patrimoine
Escusado será dizer, que esta nobre intervenção é de louvar e apoiar, pois neste nosso mundo conturbado, ao qual a violência não é estranha, qualquer fonte de paz é para estimar e preservar
Como corolário, Notre-Dame agradece e a Paz também 👍
October 31, 2019
Short
Concise
I expected more about the cathedral and its history
And less about the pillars of the earth haha
Concise
I expected more about the cathedral and its history
And less about the pillars of the earth haha
January 17, 2020
Este pequeño libro comienza con una llamada de teléfono. A Ken Follet le avisan que Notre Dame está ardiendo, los peores presagios de Victor Hugo se cumplen.
A través de este pequeño ensayo, Follet nos cuenta como vivió esa noticia, lo que para él supuso que una catedral ardiera y especialmente esta catedral. Como él hizo sus investigaciones sobre las catedrales en la época medieval, para poder escribir su libro "los pilares de la tierra".
A través de estas páginas, vemos como se empezó la construcción de Notre Dame, las ampliaciones que tuvo y las reformas que sufrió, por qué se construyó y por qué sigue en pie (a pesar de este dantesco incendio), quienes la construyeron y cómo lo hicieron.
Mención especial de Follet a Víctor Hugo que en su maravilloso libro, "Nuestra señora de París" rinde homenaje a este símbolo de Francia.
Notre Dame no es solo una Iglesia, un símbolo religioso, es un símbolo de un país que sabe unirse en los peores momentos. Es un lugar de encuentro, un lugar emblemático donde, entre otros, Napoleón se proclamó emperador a sí mismo.
Le falta para las 5 estrellas un poco más de extensión, la narración de Follet es tan fluida e interesante que se queda corto.
A través de este pequeño ensayo, Follet nos cuenta como vivió esa noticia, lo que para él supuso que una catedral ardiera y especialmente esta catedral. Como él hizo sus investigaciones sobre las catedrales en la época medieval, para poder escribir su libro "los pilares de la tierra".
A través de estas páginas, vemos como se empezó la construcción de Notre Dame, las ampliaciones que tuvo y las reformas que sufrió, por qué se construyó y por qué sigue en pie (a pesar de este dantesco incendio), quienes la construyeron y cómo lo hicieron.
Mención especial de Follet a Víctor Hugo que en su maravilloso libro, "Nuestra señora de París" rinde homenaje a este símbolo de Francia.
Notre Dame no es solo una Iglesia, un símbolo religioso, es un símbolo de un país que sabe unirse en los peores momentos. Es un lugar de encuentro, un lugar emblemático donde, entre otros, Napoleón se proclamó emperador a sí mismo.
Le falta para las 5 estrellas un poco más de extensión, la narración de Follet es tan fluida e interesante que se queda corto.
April 10, 2020
Reading this impressionistic appreciation was something like what I imagine I would have experienced if I'd participated in a walking tour called A Day at Notre-Dame with Ken Follett, shortly after last year's fire, if there had been such a tour. It suited me, as I knew almost nothing about Notre-Dame, but am still hoping to visit sometime.
While obviously not providing a thorough history of Notre-Dame, much less of European cathedrals more broadly, Follett's essays provided enough background to give me a sense of how and why this icon of Paris and other cathedrals came to be, and enough well-chosen anecdotes to whet my appetite to learn more.
The last essay includes the author's own bestselling Pillars of the Earth among a selection of literary works inspired by cathedrals, and I may get to it someday, but first I plan to turn to another book Follett mentions, The Spire, by Nobel-prize winner William Golding.
While obviously not providing a thorough history of Notre-Dame, much less of European cathedrals more broadly, Follett's essays provided enough background to give me a sense of how and why this icon of Paris and other cathedrals came to be, and enough well-chosen anecdotes to whet my appetite to learn more.
The last essay includes the author's own bestselling Pillars of the Earth among a selection of literary works inspired by cathedrals, and I may get to it someday, but first I plan to turn to another book Follett mentions, The Spire, by Nobel-prize winner William Golding.
September 6, 2020
I really enjoyed Mr. Follett’s look at the history and cultural significance of one of the iconic sites of Paris – the Notre Dame Cathedral. At only 62 pages of text it really is a quick read – I was able to finish it in a couple of hours.
Mr Follett begins this essay with his reactions on finding out about the fire and later being asked to write up his thoughts on both the significance and history of the building. As for his thoughts, he states he was both heart sick and grateful – heart sick at the damage, and grateful it wasn’t worse. He then goes into a section on the meaning of the cathedrals to the medieval mind and their importance economically to the towns and cities that housed them. As for Notre-Dame de Paris specifically he looks what it took to build such an edifice and why this specific cathedral was constructed (a bit of jealousy on the part of the Archbishop of Paris perhaps) At the time Notre Dame was began in 1163 the then cathedral was both too small for the needs of the Archbishop and the Abby church at St. Denis, only six miles away, was of a new (Gothic) style and very impressive.
From there, Mr. Follett looks a just why it took so long to build a medieval cathedral. In Notre Dame case appox 80 yrs . In addition to lack of power equipment - all construction was done by manual labor, the lack of funds often caused construction to proceed in fits and starts.
With the completion of Notre Dame, the author fast forwards to the nineteenth century and looks at the effect Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, had on the public consciousness. By that time the building had become a bit dilapidated and following the novels publication and its becoming a run-away best seller all over the world, it was decided to refurbish and update the building. It was at this time the iconic steeple/spire was added. Mr. Follett states there was a bit of a controversy at the adding of the spire to the building.
The final section is the liberation of Paris in 1944 and Gen DeGaulle’s arrival. Disregarding higher authority, he personally led the victory parade, came under sniper fire which he ignored that ended at the Cathedral.
The final section sums up his thoughts on cathedrals in general. The final paragraph reads
“I believe that a novel is successful to the extent that it touches the emotions of the reader ... It is certainly true of cathedrals. Our encounters with them are emotional. We see them and are awestruck. When we walk around them we are enraptured by their grace and light. When we sit quietly we are possessed by a sense of peace.
And when one burns, we weep.”
This is too short for me to give it five stars, but it is definitely a strong 4.
Mr Follett begins this essay with his reactions on finding out about the fire and later being asked to write up his thoughts on both the significance and history of the building. As for his thoughts, he states he was both heart sick and grateful – heart sick at the damage, and grateful it wasn’t worse. He then goes into a section on the meaning of the cathedrals to the medieval mind and their importance economically to the towns and cities that housed them. As for Notre-Dame de Paris specifically he looks what it took to build such an edifice and why this specific cathedral was constructed (a bit of jealousy on the part of the Archbishop of Paris perhaps) At the time Notre Dame was began in 1163 the then cathedral was both too small for the needs of the Archbishop and the Abby church at St. Denis, only six miles away, was of a new (Gothic) style and very impressive.
From there, Mr. Follett looks a just why it took so long to build a medieval cathedral. In Notre Dame case appox 80 yrs . In addition to lack of power equipment - all construction was done by manual labor, the lack of funds often caused construction to proceed in fits and starts.
With the completion of Notre Dame, the author fast forwards to the nineteenth century and looks at the effect Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, had on the public consciousness. By that time the building had become a bit dilapidated and following the novels publication and its becoming a run-away best seller all over the world, it was decided to refurbish and update the building. It was at this time the iconic steeple/spire was added. Mr. Follett states there was a bit of a controversy at the adding of the spire to the building.
The final section is the liberation of Paris in 1944 and Gen DeGaulle’s arrival. Disregarding higher authority, he personally led the victory parade, came under sniper fire which he ignored that ended at the Cathedral.
The final section sums up his thoughts on cathedrals in general. The final paragraph reads
“I believe that a novel is successful to the extent that it touches the emotions of the reader ... It is certainly true of cathedrals. Our encounters with them are emotional. We see them and are awestruck. When we walk around them we are enraptured by their grace and light. When we sit quietly we are possessed by a sense of peace.
And when one burns, we weep.”
This is too short for me to give it five stars, but it is definitely a strong 4.
January 4, 2020
What a great little book to start off the New Year! I found it our local library, while waiting for the kids to do some homework. At only 63 pages, it took less than an hour to read. Written by Follett immediately after the fire, you can absolutely feel his passion. Filled with quickly absorbed facts about the cathedral. Makes history so easy and fun. Bravo!
July 12, 2023
É um ensaio pequeníssimo, mas ainda assim, aprendi com ele várias coisas que não sabia (sobre a Notre Dame de Paris, sobre o livro de Victor Hugo com o mesmo nome, sobre outras catedrais). Mas mais do que uma leitura interessante, este é um trabalho em que o amor de Ken Follet pelas catedrais transparece em cada página.
Não sou crente, o que não me impede de frequentar a igreja. Adoro a arquitetura, a música, as palavras da Bíblia e a sensação de partilhar algo de profundo com os outros. Há muito que desfruto de uma profunda paz espiritual nas grandes catedrais, à semelhança de milhões de pessoas, tanto crentes como não-crentes.
Não podia estar mais de acordo.
Não sou crente, o que não me impede de frequentar a igreja. Adoro a arquitetura, a música, as palavras da Bíblia e a sensação de partilhar algo de profundo com os outros. Há muito que desfruto de uma profunda paz espiritual nas grandes catedrais, à semelhança de milhões de pessoas, tanto crentes como não-crentes.
Não podia estar mais de acordo.
November 2, 2019
8 de 10*
Notre-Dame ardeu... Este foi o triste acontecimento que deu origem a este pequeno livro. Ken Follett, por força das suas pesquisas para os livros históricos que escreve, tem uma forte relação com a história de inúmeros monumentos, entre eles a catedral de Notre-Dame. Talvez por isso, não conseguiu ficar indiferente ao incêndio e acabou por ser abordado inúmeras vezes para falar sobre a catedral.
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
Notre-Dame ardeu... Este foi o triste acontecimento que deu origem a este pequeno livro. Ken Follett, por força das suas pesquisas para os livros históricos que escreve, tem uma forte relação com a história de inúmeros monumentos, entre eles a catedral de Notre-Dame. Talvez por isso, não conseguiu ficar indiferente ao incêndio e acabou por ser abordado inúmeras vezes para falar sobre a catedral.
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
April 6, 2020
El día 15 de este mes se cumplirá un año del incendio de la catedral de Notre Dame de París. Con motivo de esa catástrofe Ken Follett escribió este ensayo y lo publicó a finales del año pasado, y los beneficios obtenidos por su venta se aportarán a la reconstrucción del templo. Yo lo compré hace poco en digital y ayer, en plena resaca post-Murakami, me acordé de que lo tenía y de que era muy cortito, así que lo leí.
El autor narra cómo vivió la noche del 15 de abril de 2019 y también cómo se construyó la catedral, dando muchos detalles sobre arquitectura y sobre el contexto social de la época, algo que conoce muy bien gracias al trabajo de documentación que realizó cuando escribió “Los pilares de la tierra” (libro que leí por primera vez en mi adolescencia y me marcó al nivel de querer estudiar Historia del Arte). También dedica un capítulo a sus reformas, a algunos momentos históricos acontecidos al amparo de sus muros y al gran homenaje que rindió Victor Hugo a esta catedral en su espectacular obra “Nuestra Señora de París”.
La verdad es que me pareció un ensayo muy interesante, muchos datos los conocía, pero otros no, así que encantada, ya que la arquitectura es un apartado de la Historia del Arte que me gusta mucho y que siempre he disfrutado estudiando. Es un documento ligero, de fácil lectura y muy ameno, al puro estilo Ken Follett. No me habría importado que hubiese tenido más páginas.
El autor narra cómo vivió la noche del 15 de abril de 2019 y también cómo se construyó la catedral, dando muchos detalles sobre arquitectura y sobre el contexto social de la época, algo que conoce muy bien gracias al trabajo de documentación que realizó cuando escribió “Los pilares de la tierra” (libro que leí por primera vez en mi adolescencia y me marcó al nivel de querer estudiar Historia del Arte). También dedica un capítulo a sus reformas, a algunos momentos históricos acontecidos al amparo de sus muros y al gran homenaje que rindió Victor Hugo a esta catedral en su espectacular obra “Nuestra Señora de París”.
La verdad es que me pareció un ensayo muy interesante, muchos datos los conocía, pero otros no, así que encantada, ya que la arquitectura es un apartado de la Historia del Arte que me gusta mucho y que siempre he disfrutado estudiando. Es un documento ligero, de fácil lectura y muy ameno, al puro estilo Ken Follett. No me habría importado que hubiese tenido más páginas.
November 28, 2019
I picked up this book because it was written by Ken Follett and I have enjoyed several of his novels. This is a wonderful essay about the history of the great cathedral, Notre Dame. This was a fascinating read that delved into how the cathedral was built and the people who built it. This cathedral has evolved many times. There were various incarnations as different architects were involved over time. The book also provided some very interesting history on the life of Victor Hugo and the writing of Les Miserables - I loved this part. This was a short, but very interesting read. It has inspired me to read Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth, as well as to re-read Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.
Thanks to Ken Follett and Penguin Publishing Group through Edelweiss for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Ken Follett and Penguin Publishing Group through Edelweiss for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2021
Interessante, mas não me entusiasmou.
May 31, 2020
A very, very short history! 40 pages. Interesting.
January 10, 2020
Ken Follett is one of my favourite authors and I am happy to have read this special book that he wrote donating its proceeds to La Fondation du Patrimoine, this is something precious that made me esteem the writer even more. I have been to Paris and was enchanted by this wonderful Cathedral and reading this interesting little book that describes its history captured my attention even more.
I highly recommend this book, especially that all its rights will go towards the reconstruction of the cathedral.
I highly recommend this book, especially that all its rights will go towards the reconstruction of the cathedral.
January 26, 2025
3.5⭐️
I’ve wanted to read Follett’s Pillars of the Earth for some time now. As someone who enjoys stories set during the Medieval Ages, I’m intrigued by the Kingsbridge pentalogy but they’re some seriously long novels. I hoped listening to Follett’s essay on the cathedral of Notre-Dame, which he self-narrates, would inspire me to dive in and read about the construction of his fictional cathedral in Pillars.
The author donated proceeds from this essay toward the restoration of Notre-Dame which is pretty neat. This essay is really brief with limited information but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Follett’s voice sounds great and I’m kinda surprised he doesn’t just narrate all his own novels.
A couple interesting things mentioned is how writing parchment was originally made of leather. Seriously folks…the things we take for granted these days!! The cathedral of Notre-Dame was built during the Medieval Warming Period, which spanned from 950-1250. This time of increased temperature in Northern Europe is credited for helping put an end to the Dark Ages. The warmer temperatures allowed for agricultural growth, increased food supply, urbanization, economic, and cultural growth. The milder climate in the North Atlantic also facilitated Viking exploration and colonization. Follett explains how this period allowed for advancements in the arts, and architecture. The way it all interconnects is fascinating.
I’ve wanted to read Follett’s Pillars of the Earth for some time now. As someone who enjoys stories set during the Medieval Ages, I’m intrigued by the Kingsbridge pentalogy but they’re some seriously long novels. I hoped listening to Follett’s essay on the cathedral of Notre-Dame, which he self-narrates, would inspire me to dive in and read about the construction of his fictional cathedral in Pillars.
The author donated proceeds from this essay toward the restoration of Notre-Dame which is pretty neat. This essay is really brief with limited information but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Follett’s voice sounds great and I’m kinda surprised he doesn’t just narrate all his own novels.
A couple interesting things mentioned is how writing parchment was originally made of leather. Seriously folks…the things we take for granted these days!! The cathedral of Notre-Dame was built during the Medieval Warming Period, which spanned from 950-1250. This time of increased temperature in Northern Europe is credited for helping put an end to the Dark Ages. The warmer temperatures allowed for agricultural growth, increased food supply, urbanization, economic, and cultural growth. The milder climate in the North Atlantic also facilitated Viking exploration and colonization. Follett explains how this period allowed for advancements in the arts, and architecture. The way it all interconnects is fascinating.
February 17, 2020
“Notre-Dame siempre había parecido eterna y los constructores medievales sin duda pensaron que perduraría hasta el día del juicio final, pero de repente nos dimos cuenta de que podía derrumbarse.”
“Notre-Dame” es un pequeño ensayo en donde el autor vuelca el amor por las Catedrales, que lo ha representado en sus investigaciones. Adicional a contarnos cómo vivió los sucesos de aquel fatídico 15 de abril, nos brinda un repaso por la historia de tan importante ícono parisino.
Con su prosa característica, simple pero rica en detalles históricos, es un libro bastante corto, dentro del cual apreciamos la importancia que tiene para el autor la catedral de Notre Dame, sino también parte de su historia: su construcción, el ambiente que rodeaba esta construcción, algunos hitos históricos que allí sucedieron, la inspiración que resultó ser para otros escritores.
Soy fan de Ken Follett, no es un secreto para nadie, y admiro que haya dedicado unos días a rendir homenaje a través de su escritura, y que los derechos de ésta sean parte de la fundación que se encargará de su reconstrucción.
“Ni se me pasó por la cabeza quedarme en casa. Llevo Notre-Dame muy dentro del corazón. No soy creyente, pero voy a la iglesia a pesar de todo. Adoro la arquitectura, la música, las palabras de la Biblia y la sensación de compartir algo tan profundo con los demás.”
“Notre-Dame” es un pequeño ensayo en donde el autor vuelca el amor por las Catedrales, que lo ha representado en sus investigaciones. Adicional a contarnos cómo vivió los sucesos de aquel fatídico 15 de abril, nos brinda un repaso por la historia de tan importante ícono parisino.
Con su prosa característica, simple pero rica en detalles históricos, es un libro bastante corto, dentro del cual apreciamos la importancia que tiene para el autor la catedral de Notre Dame, sino también parte de su historia: su construcción, el ambiente que rodeaba esta construcción, algunos hitos históricos que allí sucedieron, la inspiración que resultó ser para otros escritores.
Soy fan de Ken Follett, no es un secreto para nadie, y admiro que haya dedicado unos días a rendir homenaje a través de su escritura, y que los derechos de ésta sean parte de la fundación que se encargará de su reconstrucción.
“Ni se me pasó por la cabeza quedarme en casa. Llevo Notre-Dame muy dentro del corazón. No soy creyente, pero voy a la iglesia a pesar de todo. Adoro la arquitectura, la música, las palabras de la Biblia y la sensación de compartir algo tan profundo con los demás.”
March 13, 2020
O Ken Follett (ξέρετε, αυτός του Kingsbridge) αποτίει φόρο τιμής στην Παναγία των Παρισίων μετά την πυρκαγιά που σχεδόν της στοίχισε τη ζωή τον περασμένο Απρίλιο.
Μια σύντομη αναφορά στην ανέγερση, την άνοδο και τη δόξα της εκκλησίας, όπως την είδαν οι ιστορικοί κι όπως την τραγούδησαν οι καλλιτέχνες (κυρίως ο Victor Hugo), συνοδευόμενη από ολιγοσέλιδο φωτογραφικό υλικό.
Σύντομο, όμορφο και -σε κάποια σημεία- συγκινητικό ανάγνωσμα.
Μια σύντομη αναφορά στην ανέγερση, την άνοδο και τη δόξα της εκκλησίας, όπως την είδαν οι ιστορικοί κι όπως την τραγούδησαν οι καλλιτέχνες (κυρίως ο Victor Hugo), συνοδευόμενη από ολιγοσέλιδο φωτογραφικό υλικό.
Σύντομο, όμορφο και -σε κάποια σημεία- συγκινητικό ανάγνωσμα.
July 5, 2019
"Io credo che un romanzo sia riuscito quando tocca le emozioni del lettore, lo stesso di sicuro vale per le cattedrali.
La loro vista non manca di suscitare in noi profonde emozioni, quando le vediamo stagliarsi contro il cielo restiamo sbalorditi, quando le vediamo restiamo affascinati dalla loro grazia e dalla loro luce, quando ci sediamo in silenzio proviamo un gran senso di pace e quando una cattedrale brucia, piangiamo."
Libricino consigliatissimo che ripercorre alcune tappe salienti della cattegrale di notre dame, la sua costruzione, come la vedeva victor hugo, il suo rifacimento dopo la rivoluzione francese e via fino ai giorni del terribile incendio.
La loro vista non manca di suscitare in noi profonde emozioni, quando le vediamo stagliarsi contro il cielo restiamo sbalorditi, quando le vediamo restiamo affascinati dalla loro grazia e dalla loro luce, quando ci sediamo in silenzio proviamo un gran senso di pace e quando una cattedrale brucia, piangiamo."
Libricino consigliatissimo che ripercorre alcune tappe salienti della cattegrale di notre dame, la sua costruzione, come la vedeva victor hugo, il suo rifacimento dopo la rivoluzione francese e via fino ai giorni del terribile incendio.
November 10, 2023
ROYAL READS PROJECT 2023
This taught me little except that there is a mammoth building called a cathedral in France. The end.
See that’s the book. Now you can say you read it as well.
This taught me little except that there is a mammoth building called a cathedral in France. The end.
See that’s the book. Now you can say you read it as well.
December 28, 2019
Ken Follett words spoke to me. I consider myself not a "church goer" -- I am more connected to the Universe, (God), when I am outside under skies of every season. But I have a love for walking around an empty church. I have visited many churches and a few cathedrals. And I do become "enraptured". "It is certainly true of cathedrals. Our encounters with them are emotional. When we see them we are awestruck. When we walk around we are enraptured by their grace and light. When we sit quietly we are possessed by a sense of peace."
I loved the little known history of cathedrals. The idea of maintenance workers leaving their sandwich wrappers up in the rafters bother me. Notre Dame is a short little book but well worth the purchase and read. All proceeds go to the rebuilding of Notre Dame in Paris.
I loved the little known history of cathedrals. The idea of maintenance workers leaving their sandwich wrappers up in the rafters bother me. Notre Dame is a short little book but well worth the purchase and read. All proceeds go to the rebuilding of Notre Dame in Paris.
November 2, 2019
Historic Repetition
As a part-time resident of Paris for many years, I too felt enormous pain as Noted Dame burned. As a fan of Follett, I looked forward to reading this essay. How disappointed I was to read a rehashing of what I already knew, in what I would describe as a freshman English paper. Missing from this was any new perspective nor any discussion of the current efforts and arguments regarding its current reconstruction, the proposed designs for a new tower etc. I also expected there to be some discussion regarding what the pollution caused by the recent fire has had on the health of Parisians. There are many contemporary issues Follett could have touched upon that could have made this a much more interesting read.
As a part-time resident of Paris for many years, I too felt enormous pain as Noted Dame burned. As a fan of Follett, I looked forward to reading this essay. How disappointed I was to read a rehashing of what I already knew, in what I would describe as a freshman English paper. Missing from this was any new perspective nor any discussion of the current efforts and arguments regarding its current reconstruction, the proposed designs for a new tower etc. I also expected there to be some discussion regarding what the pollution caused by the recent fire has had on the health of Parisians. There are many contemporary issues Follett could have touched upon that could have made this a much more interesting read.
December 26, 2019
I know this was only meant to be a brief, observational essay, but it was really too brief to satisfy any kind of historical or informational craving. I probably will go back and re-read Pillars of the Earth though.
November 24, 2020
My sister gave me this book for my birthday! What a great little gem about one of my favorite places!
I was so lucky to be in Paris in 2015. My husband and I were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. Obviously, the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris was on our itinerary. What an incredible experience! I love this quote from Follett: "I'm not a religious believer...I love the architecture, the music...". That pretty much sums up my feelings. In addition, the HISTORY is just so interesting. And in this quick, slim book, Follett packs it with some excellent historical highlights from the laying of the first stone in 1163 until today.
Follett was asked to write something about the cathedral after it caught on fire in 2019. For those who are not familiar, Follett wrote the bestselling, Pillars of the Earth which was all about the making of a cathedral, so he has done plenty of research through the years. His style in this book was so authentic and casual and it was easy to understand his deep respect and passion on the subject.
I was extra happy to see that Mr. Follett is donating the proceeds of this book to the charity: La Fondation du Patrimoine.
I was so lucky to be in Paris in 2015. My husband and I were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. Obviously, the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris was on our itinerary. What an incredible experience! I love this quote from Follett: "I'm not a religious believer...I love the architecture, the music...". That pretty much sums up my feelings. In addition, the HISTORY is just so interesting. And in this quick, slim book, Follett packs it with some excellent historical highlights from the laying of the first stone in 1163 until today.
Follett was asked to write something about the cathedral after it caught on fire in 2019. For those who are not familiar, Follett wrote the bestselling, Pillars of the Earth which was all about the making of a cathedral, so he has done plenty of research through the years. His style in this book was so authentic and casual and it was easy to understand his deep respect and passion on the subject.
I was extra happy to see that Mr. Follett is donating the proceeds of this book to the charity: La Fondation du Patrimoine.
April 29, 2020
As receitas desta edição serão doadas à Fondation du Patrimoine, como contribuição de Ken Follett para a reconstrução da igreja.
👆 tirando isto, o resto não vale nada.
👆 tirando isto, o resto não vale nada.
March 20, 2022
For a book about Notre Dame, there is surprisingly little about it in this book. I learned more about Victor Hugo, Charles de Gaulle, and Follett’s own writings than I did about the cathedral. It was very patchy and very shallow as it relates to any actual historical data. Actually, there was more about various books than about the cathedral in the whole book. It just jumped around in such a scattered manner that I lost interest quickly. He really lost me though when he took the time to swipe at Sir Walter Scott’s writing style. That struck me as petty and completely irrelevant. One more annoyance, did you know Follett was a bestselling author? Well, if you hadn’t before you read this book you will after as he tells you so repeatedly.
I’m a Baptist. I certainly don’t agree with many of the beliefs of the original builders of Notre Dame, but I think I have more sympathy for their desires and goals that Follett does. He simply sees it as a building with a long history that is now nothing more than some beautiful relic of antiquity. So God and the anyone’s desire to please or worship Him is completely lacking. I don’t believe God is any more impressed with our glorious buildings than He is with anything else we think is good enough to buy His favor. (“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9) Still, it was a place that even at the very least turned men’s thoughts to contemplation of God, and for that reason I grieved when it burned. Perhaps the best example of his missing the point was when he claimed that the pilgrims struggling desperately to earn their way into heaven by their visits were not really different from today’s tourist seeking simply to visit a magnificent building. But I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. What should I have expected from a secular author writing to a secular audience about a church?
That subtitle has nothing whatever to do with actual contents of this booklet so I’m not even going to bother commenting on it.
If you haven’t figured it out by now… I don’t recommend this one.
I’m a Baptist. I certainly don’t agree with many of the beliefs of the original builders of Notre Dame, but I think I have more sympathy for their desires and goals that Follett does. He simply sees it as a building with a long history that is now nothing more than some beautiful relic of antiquity. So God and the anyone’s desire to please or worship Him is completely lacking. I don’t believe God is any more impressed with our glorious buildings than He is with anything else we think is good enough to buy His favor. (“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9) Still, it was a place that even at the very least turned men’s thoughts to contemplation of God, and for that reason I grieved when it burned. Perhaps the best example of his missing the point was when he claimed that the pilgrims struggling desperately to earn their way into heaven by their visits were not really different from today’s tourist seeking simply to visit a magnificent building. But I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. What should I have expected from a secular author writing to a secular audience about a church?
That subtitle has nothing whatever to do with actual contents of this booklet so I’m not even going to bother commenting on it.
If you haven’t figured it out by now… I don’t recommend this one.
July 16, 2019
E niente...
L'inizio di questo libro è stato come un pugno dello stomaco, accompagnato dalle immagini del tg ancora impresse nel mio cervello.
Bravo signor Follet. Bravo.
Ok, magone a parte è stato interessante. Non solo per come ha saputo gestire la catastrofe, ma anche per le piccole curiosità e le vicende che ha inserito per raccontare la storia di questo monumento. Se poi il ricavato va alla sua ricostruzione ancora meglio!
Take my money!
L'inizio di questo libro è stato come un pugno dello stomaco, accompagnato dalle immagini del tg ancora impresse nel mio cervello.
Bravo signor Follet. Bravo.
Ok, magone a parte è stato interessante. Non solo per come ha saputo gestire la catastrofe, ma anche per le piccole curiosità e le vicende che ha inserito per raccontare la storia di questo monumento. Se poi il ricavato va alla sua ricostruzione ancora meglio!
Take my money!
March 8, 2021
Uma pequena delícia que acabou por se tornar mais substancial do que temia de início.
Ken Follett explica-nos o seu fascínio por catedrais e pela Notre Dame em especial através uma pequena lição sobre a sua construção, a sua importância para os lugares onde eram construídas e mesmo para as pessoas envolvidas e até enuncia várias ligações a escritores e obras literárias.
Ken Follett explica-nos o seu fascínio por catedrais e pela Notre Dame em especial através uma pequena lição sobre a sua construção, a sua importância para os lugares onde eram construídas e mesmo para as pessoas envolvidas e até enuncia várias ligações a escritores e obras literárias.
July 30, 2020
An interesting essay on cathedrals and Notre Dame in particular.
November 24, 2019
‘I believe that a novel is successful to the extent that it touches the emotions of the reader. And something similar may be true of all works of art. It is certainly true of cathedrals. Our encounters with them are emotional. When we see them, we are awestruck. When we walk around, we are enraptured by their grace and light. When we sit quietly, we are possessed by a sense of peace.
And when one burns, we weep.’
And when one burns, we weep.’
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