The Armor of Light
Ken Follett
A Riveting Journey through History
Ken Follett, a master of historical fiction, has once again captivated readers with his latest novel, “The Armor of Light.” Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous late 18th century and early 19th century, this enthralling tale takes readers on a gripping journey filled with political intrigue, religious turmoil, and personal struggles. With impeccable attention to detail and compelling storytelling, Follett delivers a mesmerizing narrative that you eagerly turning each page.
Synopsis
The Spinning Jenny was invented in 1770, and with that, a new era of manufacturing and industry changed lives everywhere within a generation. A world filled with unrest wrestles for control over this new world order: A mother’s husband is killed in a work accident due to negligence; a young woman fights to fund her school for impoverished children; a well-intentioned young man unexpectedly inherits a failing business; one man ruthlessly protects his wealth no matter the cost, all the while war cries are heard from France, as Napoleon sets forth a violent master plan to become emperor of the world. As institutions are challenged and toppled in unprecedented fashion, ripples of change ricochet through our characters’ lives as they are left to reckon with the future and a world they must rebuild from the ashes of war.
Richard says
Follett writes a long book but he writes it so well, there are very few moments of attention lapses. In fact, when he writes about the Battle of Waterloo, the story becomes down right suspenseful.
If you have read Follett’s two supporting novels to the trilogy, “The Pillars of the Earth” and “Fall of Giants,” you will be reading his conclusion to the series. It is a trilogy any history buff must read because Follett is a master of research and historical detail written in polished and refined order. Each book will engage you and keep you turning pages endlessly.
“The Armor” is a masterful conclusion to the trilogy. Reading it, a reader can almost superimpose the world of today on to the world he writes about just over 200 years ago as the time period of the book is roughly 1790 – 1815. It is a tumultuous period of technological revolution, of religious turmoil between Anglicans and Methodist in England, political change and upheaval. Today’s world with its Artificial Intelligence revolution, religious discord of Muslims, Jews and Christians, and political-social turmoil of hate and racism, autocratic politicians threatening western democracy, it all mirrors the past as reflected in Follett’s story.
Follett confirms that the more things change the more they stay the same even though there may be minor modifications, mere erosions to some old social truisms but the biases and bigotry flows nearly as strongly as it ever did. Bigotry against the homosexuals, xenophobic racism against foreigners, intransigent and corrupt political leaders, military conflicts and international hatred. Follett’s setting, today’s world, twins.
The last word
Whether you agree with the idea that Follett’s book may be describing the roots of today’s world or not is less important than you will be reading a excellently written, historically impressive and extensively researched novel that is thoroughly engaging leaving you breathless at the end, wanting more.
An excellent read!
