Book 32 "Fall of Giants"

FALL OF GIANTS

BY

KEN FOLLETT

A novel following the lives of five families across the globe as their lives cross paths surrounding historical events (World War I, Bolshevik Revolution, The Feminist Movement).

My Take

It was like a never-ending historical soap opera. Over 1,000 pages!! Taking the 365 Day Challenge (where I am already FAR behind pace of one novel a day!!) I wasn't sure I wanted to tackle one of Follet's novels. They are a modern day Tolstoy. In addition, when I began the book I wasn't sure if I could follow five different story lines and was worried about confusion with characters and names and events.

However, I was pleasantly surprised and found myself fully immersed within the story and enjoying the novel. The first World War is often overshadowed by the second, so it's a fresh breath of air to have a piece of literature woven around this time period.

The story line that I followed the most was the Russian story of Gregory. Follett did a wonderful job painting a picture of Russian life during the turn of the century. The hardships, violence, and overthrow of the aristocrats. My only question (which I'm sure will be answered within the next two books in the trilogy) is if Gregory gets caught in the downfall of the Bolsheviks and suffers a similar fate as Trotsky?

I should count the novel as 3 read novels.....but I won't!! It was worth the patient read.