Saturday 3 September 2022

Six Degrees of Separation ~ From The Pillars of the Earth to The Island

 The Pillars of the Earth
Follett, Ken "The Pillars of the Earth" (Kingsbridge #1) - 1989

#6Degrees of Separation:
from The Pillars of the Earth to The Island

#6Degrees is a monthly link-up hosted by Kate at Books Are My Favourite and Best. I love the idea. Thank you, Kate. See more about this challenge, its history, further books and how I found this here.

This month's prompt starts with the book we finished with last month, so in my case The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge #1) - 1989 by Ken Follett

I was very pleased with this because I had another book in mind right away. They build a cathedral in "The Pillars of the Earth" and if you haven't read it, yet, I recommend you read the whole Kingsbridge series.

Falcones, Ildefonso "Cathedral of the Sea" (E: La catedral del mar) - 2008

The cathedral in Ken Follett's story was built in the 12th century in England, Ildefonso Falcones describes one built in Barcelona in the
14th th century but they both have in common that they build a cathedral and that they show the lives of the builders and the rich people in those times. There is also a follow-up novel to this one but, unfortunately, hasn't been translated into English, yet,  I hope. Because it is just as great.

Ruiz Zafón, Carlos "The Shadow of the Wind" (E: La sombra del viento - El cementerio de los libros olvidados #1) - 2001

When I think Barcelona, I can't help but think about another favourite author of mine, Carlos Ruiz Zafón who wrote not about a cathedral but about books, a library and the time of the Spanish Civil War. He had this book follwed by three more books that can all be read in any order but give you a great story altogether.

Sendker, Jan-Philipp "Whispering Shadows" (The Rising Dragon #1) (GE: Das Flüstern der Schatten) - 2007

I love reading about different countries and different times, especially if there are great sequels, as well, and the word "shadow" led me to another book by a German author who has written quite a few books about China after having worked there as an Asia correspondent. Both his fiction and non-fiction books are very informative.

Orth, Stephan "Couchsurfing in China: Encounters and Escapades Beyond the Great Wall" aka "High Tech and Hot Pot: Revealing Encounters Inside the Real China" (GE: Couchsurfing in China. Durch die Wohnzimmer der neuen Supermacht) - 2019

Just as informative as the couchsurfing books by another German journalist who has travelled to quite a few countries that most of us will never be able to visit. But with his stories, it's almost as if we'd gone there ourselves.

Bryson, Bill "Notes from a Small Island" - 1995

Travel books always make me think about another favourite author: Bill Bryson. He has written so many great books about all sorts of countries, about language, about science etc. But this one is about his second home country where I also lived for a while and it still is my favourite book by him.

Hislop, Victoria "The Island" - 2005

I will finish with another book about an island, one of my favourites by another favourite author. Victoria Hislop is a wonderful writer who has written such vivid and great books about Greece that they awarded her honorary citizenship. Well done, Victoria, and congratulations.


This was a fun challenge because we started with a book close to our hearts. I'm really looking forward to seeing what others came up with.

Look for further monthly separation posts here

20 comments:

  1. Goodness! I've read - and enjoyed nearly everything in your chain. Only Couchsurfing in China to catch up on!

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    1. That's fantastic, Margaret. Why am I not following you? Must change that.

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    2. Thanks! As I would you, if I had any idea how to 'follow' a Blogger blog

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    3. I just tried to reply to your post but I seem to have the same problem as I have with Davida > where it tells me that I have to log in but doesn't give me an opportunity to do so. :(

      So, here is my answer:
      Brilliant chain. I have read quite a few of those with my kids who are not 28 and 33. I don't know The Quangle Wangle but he reminds me of The Whingdingdilly by Bill Peet.

      I really enjoyed this. Thanks, Margaret.

      Thanks for visiting my Six Degrees of Separation which took me from The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett to The Island by Victoria Hislop.

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    4. When I want to "follow" someone, all I need to do is add their URL to my list of "Blogs I'm Following". I'm sure WordPress must have something like that because I have several followers who are with that site. However, at the moment, I can follow you but not comment. I hope they will get rid of that glitch soon!!!

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    5. Urgh. I thought they'd sorted the glitch. It's now OK for WordPress users. Let me know if it persists. Off now to 'follow' you chez WordPress!

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  2. My husband loved Bryson, but that's one I don't have on my self. I read the Hyslop but... I don't know... she's a bit... heavy handed with her stories. Great chain, though!

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    1. Thanks, Davida. It was the first Bryson I read because I lived in England back then. There's also a sequel "The Road to Little Dribbling " where he goes back and does the same tour as he did when he first arrived in Britain.

      And if Victoria Hislop is not for you, that's alright. We can't all like the same books.

      I am so happy that you commented here. I hope I will be able to comment on your page again one day, as well.

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  3. This month's Six Degrees makes me so happy!! I always feel like the child left outside having to pear in from the cold watching all the great books everyone has read already. This month - I'm on the inside!

    The Shadow of the Wind is one of my favorite books ever. I will also take a look at the Victoria Hislop one, I have read some of her previous works and loved it.

    Happy September Marianne!

    Elza Reads

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    1. Thanks, Mareli. I am so happy that you could participate, as well. I am looking forward to your post.

      Same here, I absolutely love The Shadow of the Wind and hope you read the whole series. If not, you have something to look forward to. And if you loved Victoria Hislop's other writings, you will also love this one. It was very special to me because I'd visited Spinalonga, the island in the book. There is also a sequel in the meantime, One August Night, just as great.

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  4. Enjoyed your chain. I am yet to start the Ken Follet books, and must do so soon.

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    1. Thanks, Mallika. You have some great reading ahead of you, it's not just the one book, it's a whole series and they are all fantastic. Enjoy.

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  5. I'm seeing a lot of travels in the chains for this month!
    Here is my chain: https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/09/03/six-degrees-of-separation-from-a-nuclear-power-plant-to-bird-migration/

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    1. Thanks, Emma. I think every book lover loves travelling with their books, so no surprise there.

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  6. Great chain. I enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth and The Shadow of the Wind. I've read and loved other books by Victoria Hislop, but not The Island - I must read it soon!

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    1. Oh great, Helen. I think you are the third person who wants to read The Island. I hope you'll enjoy it but if you loved other books by Victoria Hislop, I know you will.

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  7. I've read the Follett and tried to read The Shadow of the Wind (somehow could not get into it). I just got The Island out of the library; hope to get to it soon.

    Constance

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    1. It might not be your thing, Constance. I absolutely loved it but many people love certain books that I really didn't like. So, all good.
      I do hope you like The Island, it's great. And totally different from the Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. Enjoy.

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  8. Like many other commenters, I've read the Follett (one of my all time faves!) and Shadow of the Wind, and I recently read a Bryson about Australia. A recommendation - your cathedral books made me think of one I absolutely loved that's in the same general category is Brunelleschi's Dome - only 192 pages but packed with info and history. You might enjoy it.
    This is my first time participating and I'm having so much fun visiting everyone's chains!
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
    https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/6-degrees-of-separation-1

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    1. Thanks, Terrie. And welcome to the Six Degrees "society". I'll look forward to your list.
      I have read all books by Bill Bryson and loved every single one of them.
      Thanks for the recommendation. There are several books with the title Brunelleschi's Dome, I suppose you mean the one by Ross King? It does look quite interesting.

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