Ken Follett

Ken Follett – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life, works, and inspirations of Welsh author Ken Follett: from his early years, rise to bestseller status, his philosophy of storytelling, and memorable quotes that reveal his worldview.

Introduction

Ken Follett (born 5 June 1949) is a Welsh author celebrated for his mastery of both thrillers and sweeping historical novels.

Follett’s novels like The Pillars of the Earth, Fall of Giants, and World Without End have earned him global acclaim, adaptations to television, games, and multigenerational readership. Below is a deeper look at his journey, influences, legacy, and memorable lines.

Early Life and Family

Kenneth Martin Follett was born in Cardiff, Wales, to Martin Follett (a tax inspector) and Lavinia (Veenie) Follett.

His upbringing was strict and religious: his family belonged to the Plymouth Brethren, a Protestant Christian group that discouraged exposure to secular entertainment. As a result, Ken and his siblings were barred from watching television, radio, or cinema, encouraging him to turn early to reading.

When he was ten, his family moved to London.

Education & Early Influences

Follett studied philosophy at University College London (UCL).

His strict religious background influenced his early intellectual life. Forbidden from popular culture, he immersed himself in books, which shaped his narrative instincts and knowledge of history and ideas.

After graduating in 1970, he briefly took a journalism course and then worked as a trainee reporter at the South Wales Echo in Cardiff. Evening News.

Career and Achievements

From Journalism to Fiction

While working in journalism and publishing, Follett began writing fiction.

His breakthrough came with the spy thriller Eye of the Needle (1978). It became an international bestseller, selling millions and winning the Edgar Award.

In the 1980s, he continued writing thrillers: Triple, The Key to Rebecca, Lie Down with Lions, The Man from St. Petersburg, among others.

Turning to Historical Fiction: Kingsbridge & Century Series

In 1989, Follett published The Pillars of the Earth, a departure from espionage toward large historical storytelling. The novel is set in 12th-century England and centers on the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge.

The Pillars of the Earth became his signature work: it was a bestseller worldwide, adapted into TV series, stage musicals, and even a video game.

He continued the Kingsbridge saga with World Without End (2007), A Column of Fire (2017), The Evening and the Morning (2020) as a prequel, and The Armour of Light (2023).

Follett also wrote the Century Trilogy: Fall of Giants (2010), Winter of the World (2012), Edge of Eternity (2014). That trilogy spans the 20th century and weaves together the lives of several families across national borders.

Later Works & Style

Follett has alternated between historical fiction and more contemporary thrillers (e.g., Jackdaws, Whiteout, Never).

He is known for meticulous research, structural plotting, and embedding stories of ordinary people into turbulent historical epochs.

Several of his works have been adapted to television miniseries and film (e.g. Eye of the Needle, The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End).

Historical Context & Impact

• Follett’s shift from thrillers to historical epics came at a time when global readers were craving immersive stories across time and place.

• His ability to blend political, social, and personal narratives into large canvases positioned him among writers who popularized “big” historical fiction.

• The Kingsbridge and Century series in particular have influenced how modern historical novels interweave generational arcs over decades and across borders.

• His works have amplified interest in medieval architecture, European history, and large-scale human endeavors (for example, cathedral building).

Legacy and Influence

Ken Follett is regarded as one of the most successful and influential popular novelists of his generation. His legacy includes:

• A model for combining commercial appeal with intellectual ambition.

• Inspiring other writers to pursue ambitious historical narratives with rich research and accessible prose.

• Creating fictional worlds (like Kingsbridge) that have become enduring cultural landmarks in the realm of fiction.

• Promoting historical curiosity among general readers, encouraging them to learn more about medieval, early modern, and 20th-century history.

• Demonstrating longevity in writing across decades, adapting to readers’ shifts while maintaining his signature voice.

Personality & Creative Traits

Follett describes himself as an atheist, though he acknowledges a “spiritual life.”

Politically, he has aligned with the Labour Party in the U.K. and remains a supporter and fundraiser.

Follett is also a musician—he plays bass guitar with a band and has occasionally performed with folk groups on a balalaika.

He lives in Hertfordshire, England, with his wife Barbara (a former Member of Parliament).

Famous Quotes by Ken Follett

Here are some memorable quotes and lines by Ken Follett that offer insight into his beliefs about writing, life, and human nature:

• “Listen, I wrote 10 unsuccessful books before I broke through, so I'm looking all the time to keep my books fascinating.”

• “I want to tell a story that makes the reader always want to see what will happen next.”

• “Having faith in God did not mean sitting back and doing nothing. It meant believing you would find success if you did your best honestly and energetically.” (from The Pillars of the Earth)

• “The most expensive part of building is the mistakes.” (from The Pillars of the Earth)

• “She loved him because he had brought her back to life. She had been like a caterpillar in a cocoon, and he had drawn her out and shown her that she was a butterfly.”

• “Best-sellers are about murder, money, revenge, ambition, and sex, sex, sex. So are literary novels. But best-selling authors give you more per page.”

• “We’re all good when it suits us, he used to say: that doesn’t count.” (from World Without End)

These quotes reflect his narrative priorities (plot, character, moral questions) and his sense of realism about human behavior.

Lessons from Ken Follett

1. Perseverance is key — Follett’s early failures didn’t stop him; he refined his craft until his breakthrough.

2. Know your history — Deep research grounds even fictional stories in authenticity, making them richer for readers.

3. Plot and character must feed each other — His stories balance sweeping historical arcs with personal journeys.

4. Ambition in scale, clarity in prose — While his books are grand in scope, his writing remains accessible.

5. Adapt and expand — He shifted genres and narrative scales while preserving his core strengths as storyteller.

Conclusion

Ken Follett’s life and work illustrate how humble beginnings and strict upbringing can sow the seeds of imaginative depth. From thrillers to epic historical sagas, he has influenced millions of readers with stories that span time and place. His quotes give a window into an author who believes in rigorous effort, narrative momentum, and the moral complexity of human lives.