Mary Harvey – Google

I don’t get a good sense of place, and plot. Small conversations and petty jealousies among CIA officials in Chad, DC and China Don’t really go anywhere. Lots of the story focuses on President Greens unlikely rebellious 14 year old daughter. I’m trying to like this book but compared to Follett’s other books it seems shrunken. Follett could have done it better. If his objective is to show how small, ill intentioned and isolated situations can expand into a world wide crisis he is probably happy with this book. But I hope we can expect more in the next one.

Follett wrote this book right after the fire in 2019 to comfort himself and all lovers of Paris and Notre Dame. All proceeds went to the rebuild. I just now read it in February 2024 and there is news that ND will be completely restored this year. The body of the book places Notre Dame on a stage with other cathedrals and explains the teams of artists who converged on Paris bringing their new tools to the ancient work of recarving stones, re shaping and restoring. Wonderful book supported by his deep research for Pillars of the Earth.

Previous movie versions of this reserved, subtle almost obtuse book as written in 1810’s or so have faithfully retold the story maintaining its stilted and un-expressed love story. And I loved those. The 2022 film version has enlivened the characters while keeping the events in tact. The scenery, costuming and pacing are lush and accurate. Dakota Johnson brings a sympathetic sparkle and humor and I thought she was so fun to watch. She carried off her middle sister position, (labeled unremarkable by her own family) with charming high road attitude and interesting beauty.