RELIGION.
The most powerful creation of man.
A creation that inspires faith, belief, trust, knowledge yet it can also devastate, Spread hatred, lies, deceit and mislead.
Oh, and religion also strives for power and control over people and practices and therein lies its greatest peril.
Many may argue that God created religion and not man. Well, you only need to read this book to see why I say that man created religion.
God may have created divinity, spirituality, knowledge, but not religious acts & denouncements.
A Column of fire, the third book by Ken Follett after the Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, all three stories about the middle ages set in a fictional city called Kingsbridge in England.
A column of Fire is an epic journey that showcases the religious conflict of that era and in many ways is relevant even in today's world.
(I have not read the earlier two books and hence reviewing this individually)
The story takes you through a journey of raw emotion, undying love, loyalty, courage but also showcases hatred, violence, greed, lust for power. There is a kaleidoscope of human emotions and personalities that you will have the pleasure to read about.
Bill Sheehan of The Washington Post summarises the book by commenting: "Like its predecessors in the Kingsbridge series, “A Column of Fire” is absorbing, painlessly educational and a great deal of fun. Follett uses the tools of popular fiction to great effect in these books, illuminating a nation’s gradual progress toward modernity. The central theme of this latest book — the ongoing conflict between tolerance and fanaticism — lends both relevance and resonance to the slowly unfolding story of England’s past.
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Column_of_Fire_
I have shared the above quote to illustrate one of the 2 most important aspects from this book. The first being the conflict of religion. Even in the 21st century we have wars, disagreements, debates about religious acceptability and of tolerance. The world is increasingly being divided over religious beliefs and acceptability of various religious laws. Are religious laws and beliefs above national laws? In a secular world how much room exits for differential beliefs. Or do we really live in secular world?
In the Column of Fire, the central plot is of the conflict between Catholics and Protestants.
Your religious belief determines the path of your life, your friends, your social acceptance, your business dealings or even the fact that you are safe and alive. Such is the hatred being spewed that nobody is safe unless they take to the path of God as believed by certain fanatics.
The book plot has wars, the over throwing of Monarchs, plots to kill and kidnap Kings and Queens, the lust for power and social positions and a quest for personal greatness and any cost. Even at the cost of the future of countries.
The Pope himself ostracizes Queen Elizabeth and says God will forgive you for ousting her from her throne and even killing her!
Really, God forgives murderers? Especially even if they believe the same God just in a different manner?
The other important aspect of this book is the treatment of Women. We may live in the 21st century but even today the important question of women's position in society is being discussed.
They are not given their fair status and that is an undeniable fact.
That man imposes himself over woman is something extreme common in our society and the same is vividly depicted in the Column of Fire.
Woman are controlled, manipulated, raped, murdered, cheated on, used as a tool for self gain all too frequently with no guilt or remorse.
We also see the positive side of Women and their personality, the Iron will to forge their own path, to survive and be more than equal.
The spectrum of human personalities is a treat to read.
To add a very important note - NOT ALL MEN are evil. There are heroes, personalities you cant help but love and admire for their affability, actions and courage. Men that give you faith that they will do the right thing, fight for whats right and never let evil win over.
On the one hand we have Young, Lovelorn, Loyal, Intelligent, Family Man Ned Willard who is part of the first Secret Service set up by Queen Elizabeth to ensure that all early signs of rebellion, invasion or assassination attempts are quelled.
On the other hand we have Pierre Aumande, Ambitious, Ruthless, A smooth talker and vicious thinker who attaches himself to the powerful Guise family in order to raise his own stature in society.
How are their lives connected? Will their paths clash? Who will emerge victorious in this epic saga?
read the book to know more.
Also look at for the following characters who play very pivotal roles on either side:
Rollo Fitzgerald
Sylvie Palot
Another character that you I personally took a liking towards was Ebrima Dabo (the Mandinkan Slave)
P.S. - A small word of caution for those who care - The book has numerous scenes depicting Physical Intimacy. This is just FYI in case you wanted to know before hand.
