Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Column of Fire
- Author: Ken Follett
- Narrator: John Lee
- Length: 30:19:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 12/09/2017
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Historical Fiction, Sagas
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s a particular magic that happens when a master storyteller meets the perfect narrator, and Ken Follett’s “Column of Fire” brought to life by John Lee is precisely such alchemy. As someone who’s spent years chasing stories across continents – from the oral traditions of Oaxaca to the windswept plains of Patagonia – I can say with certainty that this audiobook experience stands among the most transportive I’ve encountered.
“The Story That Unfolds Like a Tapestry”
Follett’s third Kingsbridge novel is perhaps his most ambitious yet, spanning Elizabethan England’s religious wars with the same meticulous detail that made “Pillars of the Earth” a masterpiece. The story follows Ned Willard, an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances as Elizabeth I’s spymaster, navigating a world where love and loyalty are constantly tested by faith and politics. What struck me most – listening to this while driving through the Spanish countryside last spring – was how vividly Follett captures the paradoxes of that era: the grandeur and the grit, the piety and the violence, the absolute monarchs and the emerging idea of individual conscience.
“John Lee’s Performance: A Feast for the Ears”
Lee’s narration is nothing short of spectacular. He handles the sprawling cast with Shakespearean range, giving each character distinct voice and temperament. His Elizabeth is particularly brilliant – regal yet vulnerable, with just the right touch of imperiousness. I found myself recalling those evenings in Oaxaca with the storytelling grandmother; like her, Lee understands the power of silence, letting dramatic moments breathe before delivering the next revelation. The way he modulates between the quiet intensity of Ned’s spycraft and the boisterousness of Kingsbridge’s market scenes shows an actor completely in command of his craft.
“Personal Resonances”
There’s a moment early in the book where Ned watches ships in the harbor, dreaming of worlds beyond Kingsbridge, that reminded me sharply of my first transatlantic voyage. Follett has always excelled at making history feel immediate, but here – especially through Lee’s narration – the parallels to our own divided times are startling. The religious extremism, the political machinations, the ordinary people caught in the crossfire – listening during long train rides through Eastern Europe last winter, I kept thinking how little human nature changes across centuries.
“Balanced Perspective”
At 30+ hours, the audiobook demands commitment, though Follett’s pacing ensures few lulls. Some may find the sheer number of characters daunting (a family tree PDF helps), and while Lee’s accents are generally impeccable, the occasional French pronunciation wobble might prick the ears of linguists. Yet these are quibbles against what’s overwhelmingly a triumph – both as historical fiction and as an audio experience.
“Final Recommendation”
For lovers of immersive historical sagas, this is essential listening. Pair it with travel (as I did) or let it transform your daily commute into a Tudor-era adventure. Follett and Lee have crafted something that satisfies both the intellect and the imagination – a rare feat indeed.
Until our next literary journey, keep listening to the stories the world whispers,
Marcus Rivera
