Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett is the third and final book in the Century Trilogy. It is a sweeping saga that spans two generations and multiple countries on the backdrop of post World War II tumultuous times. It follows five families — American, Russian, German, English and Welsh — as they struggle to survive in a changing world.
The story begins in 1963 and follows the struggles of the families over the 25-year period. The world has changed drastically since the start of the trilogy in 1909, and tensions are still high in the wake of the Cold War. The major characters include Keith and George, two American brothers who have recently returned from Vietnam; Lloyd a political activist in England; Maud, Lloyd’s Welsh mother; and Vasily, who has left his native Soviet Union to find a better life in America.
The main theme of the book is how each of the characters is affected by their respective governments’ actions and decisions. The American brothers’ experiences in Vietnam shape their lives – George goes to prison for opposing the war, while Keith becomes a successful businessman. The same applies for Vasily and the choices he makes in the face of Soviet repression. In England, Lloyd finds himself inebriated in the midst of social upheaval as the country deals with hard earned freedoms. For Maud, the consequences of a life lived under the oppressive thumb of Wales’ religion-based society come to fruition in an unexpected manner.
As the action moves from one family to another, they are all tied together by the bonds of friendship, love, betrayal and political upheaval.
The strong writing style of Ken Follett is evidenced in his careful attention to detail and his ability to switch between timelines and points of view with ease. He provides readers with easily digestible passages that communicate a great deal of information quickly and clearly, while allowing a few moments of peaceful contemplation.
The characters have believable motivations and ambitions, and all of their differences led them down an intertwined path of struggles, joys and tragedies. Everything culminates in a nail-biting finale. Edge of Eternity is an emotional and intense conclusion to the trilogy that will leave you wanting for more.
In Edge of Eternity, Ken Follett has crafted a masterpiece, a compelling narrative of the human experience during a time of great struggle and achievement. His characters are real and relatable, and the story will keep you enthralled until the very last pages. If you’ve yet to read the first two books in the Century Trilogy, we highly recommend catching up before reading Edge of Eternity, it'll be well worth the effort.
It’s one thing to write a truly remarkable trilogy, but it’s quite another to make the third installment even better than the previous two. This is what Ken Follett has accomplished with Edge of Eternity. It’s a mesmerizing journey into the lives of five families, set against a backdrop of unforgettable settings and events. A definite must-read.
