Books like The spire, William Golding : notes

I think that this was the book that inspired Follett to write, Pillars of the Earth. Although I loved Pillars....this one is the "University of Cambridge" to Follett's "A Good State School" novel. You'll recognize the primise: The vision that drives Dean Jocelin to construct an immense new spire above his cathedral tests the limits of all who surround him. The foundationless stone pillars shriek and the earth beneath them heaves under the structure’s weight as the Dean’s will weighs down his collapsing faith. Now, saying all that, I think I liked Follett's version a little better. This one is artsy, beautifully done, critically acclaimed, and one of those books I felt I should read. Follett's books (there are three in the series) are big door stops - they're huge, but they're easy reads that I flew through.