In this article we will review The Spire by William Golding.
Book Plot
Dean Jocelin has a vision: that God has chosen him to erect a great spire on his cathedral. His mason anxiously advises against it, for the old cathedral was built without foundations. Nevertheless, the spire rises octagon upon octagon, pinnacle by pinnacle, until the stone pillars shriek and the ground beneath it swims. Its shadow falls ever darker on the world below, and on Dean Jocelin in particular.
The Spire is a dark and powerful portrait of one man’s will, and the folly that he creates.
The Spire Rating : 3,5
Also book has 272 pages
The Spire Review
This historical fiction is considered one of the best I have read so far, mainly because it relies on creating an atmospheric setting rather than focusing on intricate details. The plot revolves around a new Dean in medieval England during Henry II’s reign who is determined to build a spire on his cathedral despite warnings against it. The process of turning a cathedral into a construction site may not seem thrilling, but the story’s strength lies in its atmosphere and the complexity of the characters’ motivations. Initially, the Dean’s language is centered on praising the cathedral, but as the story unfolds, it becomes evident that his intentions are more intricate. The Dean envisions his spire reaching towards the heavens, attracting travelers and traders from afar, ultimately making his cathedral a significant landmark. The novel concludes with a revelation that sheds light on the Dean’s determination and the opposition he faces.
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