A column of fire

A Column of Fire (A Column of Fire, original name in English) is a book by Ken Follet, the most successful British novelist of contemporary times. The signature of this author is synonymous with triumph, both at the editorial level and for literary criticism and the reception of readers. Not surprisingly, his texts - most of them within the genre of historical novels - have turned him into a best-selling writer.

Among his most acclaimed creations around the world are the trilogy "The Century" (The Century) and the series The pillars of the earth. Precisely, A column of fire (2017) is the third installment of this latest saga. Which, began with a homonymous title in 1989 and has been completed with a prequel, The darkness and the dawnIn 2020.

The author

Kenneth Martin Follet was born on June 5, 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. Her parents — Martin and Veenie Follet — were conservative Christians. Thus, He only had reading as his favorite form of recreation, since he was forbidden to watch television and go to the movies. Later in the 1950s the Follet family settled in London.

There, the young Kenneth studied Philosophy at the University College of London between 1967 and 1970. After graduating, he spent three months in a journalism course before starting work at the newspaper South Walls Echo from Cardiff. After three years in Wales, he returned to London to join the team of the Evening standart.

First books

Follet began his literary career in 1974 with the series Apples Carstairs —Under the alias of Simon Myles— whose first volume was The great needle. Then he signed with his real name Shakeout (1975) and The Beard Raid (1976), both from his Spy Roper series. Subsequently, between 1976 - 1978 the Welsh writer released six books signed with pseudonyms Bernard L. Ross, Martin Martinsen and Zachary Stone.

As of 1978 Follet did not use an alias again, since that year it launched Island of storms… And his life changed forever. That title was the first big step towards fame within a very successful career with more than 40 novels to his credit. Today, the Cardiff literati is internationally recognized as a best sellers of historical novels and great stories of historical fiction.

Ken Follet's best known novels

• The key is in Rebecca. (The key to Rebecca.
• The man from St. Petersburg. (The Man from St. Petersburg.
• The wings of the eagle. (On Wings of Eagles.
• The valley of the lions. (Lie Down with Lions.
• A place called freedom. (A Place Called Freedom.
• The third twin. (The Third Twin.
• High risk. (Jackdaw's.
• In the White. (W.

Trilogy of the Century - The Century

• The fall of the giants. (The Fall of the Giants.
• The winter of the world. (Winter of the World).
• The threshold of eternity. (Edge of eternity.

Series The pillars of the earth

This saga conferred on Ken follet the ultimate status of a bestselling writer. In addition, each of the volumes in this series has at least 900 pages (in total, there are more than four thousand pages). Thus, the reader stays hooked until the end despite the length of the text. Which shows the narrative mastery and depth of the characters created by the Cardifian author.

The pillars de la Earth (The Pillars of the Earth, 1989)

This historical fiction novel alludes to events of the English anarchy (XNUMXth century). Specifically to the period between the White Ship incident and the attack on Archbishop Thomas Becket. It also includes a passage about the pilgrims of Santiago de Compostela on their route from France to northern Spain.

An endless world (World without end, 2007)

Like the predecessor book, the action takes place in Kingsbridge (a fictional town), but in the XNUMXth century. In addition, the black plague and its consequences for the european continent —It ended up with a third of the population in countries like Italy or England— occupies much of the plot. Additionally, the account details Edward III's ruthless invasion of France and the urban development of the time.

A column of fire (A Column of Fire, 2017)

In 1558, Kingsbridge was a city divided by religious fanaticism. Meanwhile, Ned Willard (the protagonist) is in the opposition bias to that of his beloved, Margery Fitzgerald. The situation worsens when Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England. Then, the other kingdoms of Europe begin to conspire to overthrow it.

The darkness and the dawn (The Evening and the Morning, 2020)

The prequel to the entire series begins in the year 997, in Kingsbridge, in the middle of the so-called Dark Ages. Consequently, it was a period during which the villagers had to contend with the constant and bloody invasions of Vikings and Welsh.

A column of fire, a story about tolerance

You can buy the book here: A column of fire

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El País (2017) Follet explained that A column of fire "It is a book about tolerance." Because, despite being a book with an argument steeped in religious themes, it is not a text about religion. Likewise, the Welsh writer points out his purpose to expose the relationship between power, money and religion.

In the same interview, Follet compares the religious fanaticism of the XNUMXth century with the growing radicalism palpable throughout the world today. This fanaticism transcends religion, as it "contaminates" politics, social relations and even scientific issues. As an example, the British author points to Bretxit and Islamic terrorism in Europe.

Synopsis

Home

Ned Willard, the protagonist of the story, is a young man from Kingsbridge who returned to his homeland at Christmas 1558. Years of hatred and religious intolerance passed between Catholics and Protestants. Consequently, bloodshed was the order of the day. The worst: Ned wants to marry a girl from the opposite side, Margery Fitzgerald.

Shortly after Elizabeth I ascends to the throne of England. The queen, aware of the strong animosity generated in the rest of the continent, ordered her secret service to remain on high alert. The greatest threat was represented by her cousin — ambitious and seductive — Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. Who had his own legion of faithful inside and outside the British Isles.

An impossible love

Meanwhile, Ned was in search of the elusive Jean Langlais (a character hidden behind a pseudonym; in the end, he was a childhood friend). In parallel, the plot focuses on the efforts made by the spies to preserve the reign of Elizabeth I amid the violence that occurred from Edinburgh to Geneva, in addition to the numerous domestic plots.

At this point, the true nature of the conflict was revealed, (both for Ned and Margery, and geopolitical). The confrontation was not between Catholics and Protestants. The war was between those most tolerant - ready to negotiate a deal - and their tyrannical adversaries determined to impose their vision of the world at any cost.