“World Without End” by Ken Follett – The Human Mind Corrupted

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that there are some truly terrible people in this world, some of which have committed mass genocides, bringing unimaginable pain and suffering to millions upon millions. 

Regardless of whether we are talking about a serial killer or a dictator, at the back of our minds, we do want to know how they have come to be where they are. 

How, why and when were their minds twisted beyond redemption? 

Did they live through traumatic events? 

Were they simply average and born with a need to exterminate?

In World Without End, Ken Follett looks into the people of Kingsbridge, a little town where two hundred years earlier, a cathedral was built under very demanding circumstances, as can be seen in The Pillars of Earth, the novel preceding this one. In any case, this time around Ken Follett tracks the adventures of four little boys of Kingsbridge who are one day changed beyond limit when they witness a killing in the forest. 

World Without End by Ken Follett (book cover)
Thankfully (at least the way I see it) Follett didn’t focus too much on solving the murder and bringing the culprit to justice, as thousands of other authors undoubtedly would have. Instead, he takes the opportunity to look into how the event affected the psyche of the four little boys, how it gave birth to (or at least helped to develop) feelings of greed, ambition and revenge, how the boys become bound by their experiences. 

In short, it shows people can come to grow up and become abnormal and commit irrational actions deeply rooted in unimaginably strong emotions and desires. While the first book may have been an exploration of society, religion and politics, this one focuses much more closely on how human nature comes to be shaped and ultimately corrupted by abstract concepts.

Ken Follett (Author)

Ken Follett


Personal site

Ken Follett is an author of Welsh origin, mainly adhering to the creation of thrillers and historical novels (often combining the two). He obtained more than 11 awards in literature so far, with some of his most recognized bestsellers being Fall of Giants and Winter of the World.



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