World Without End - Ken Follett

This long-awaited sequel, published 18 years after The Pillars of the Earth, takes place in the English town of Kingbridge, two centuries after the original. But, despite taking place at a different time, much of the basic story is the same. Instead of a church, the townspeople find themselves in need of a new bridge, and Merthin, a clever little red-headed fellow is just the one to build it for them. But, of course, nothing is that easy. There are politics involved, as well as scheming religious leaders who will do anything for a bigger chunk of power. As well as the architecture, much of this novel focuses on the medicinal landscape of the times - female herbalists labeled as witches, and the tension between common sense acquired by doctors on the battlefield and the esoteric belief in humors and bleeding subscribed to by the monks. When the bubonic plague strikes the town, Merthin's soul-mate, Caris, finds herself stuck in the middle of the debate - urging people to stay in their homes, and ordering the nursing nuns to keep their faces covered and hands clean when tending to the sick. The monks, on the other hand, believe that the plague is punishment for the sins of the people, and that the road to recovery can only be traveled by prayer and self-sacrifice. Once again Follett has created intelligent female characters thwarted by disgusting vengeful men. But, it all makes for a unputdownable knight-filled soap opera. I didn't think Follett would be able to match his original masterpiece, but I definitely was not disappointed. I can't wait for the third installment in 2026.