A Place Called Freedom

Customer Rating:
Summary: You're Free to Read Something Better
Comment: A friend of mine continuously praises Ken Follett's work, and used book store inventory being as limited as it is, this was the most interesting Follett book I could find the one time I looked. There is no need to discuss this book in depth, as that would mislead anyone reading this review into thinking the book itself had anything beneath the surface. The characters are realistic enough and the settings and events somewhat intriguing. The pace of the book is speedy and the conflicts keep you turning pages. The sex scenes are abyssmal, written by a 13 year old boy who has unbridled internet access.

If you are going on a plane ride and this is what is available to you, then you will be entertained. Just don't be fooled by the historical fiction backdrop and the hints on the cover that Follett was looking to educate us all about a fascinating piece of the past. All of the set up is just an excuse to root for the underdog, gallop around on horses, and get rough in the sack.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Good read
Comment: I felt that this book was well-researched and the characters nicely rounded. I learned a few things about coal mining among other things, and I always love it when I pick up a historical novel and learn new facts!

Customer Rating:
Summary: Short but good read
Comment: Short book, good story. I'd place Follett in the running with William Martin, Preston Douglas and Lincoln Child. Being of celtic origin myself I enjoy reading about the beginnings of my heritage and Diana Gabaldon has the best series in that respect. Follett's research is excellent and tracing a scotsman from his origin to the american indians and a new life in America is an interesting and fast paced read. You won't regret reading this book - but move quickly into Pillars of the Earth and World Without End - they are beyond excellent.

Customer Rating:
Summary: A place called freedom
Comment: The main protagonists are Mack McAsh, a coal miner and Lizzie Hallim, a high-born young woman, who has to marry a rich man to save her family. Their love story develops over the course of the novel, as the story progresses. Mack is a young coal miner, a very strong, stubborn, hot-blooded and intelligent guy. He is a property of Sir George Jamisson, who owns the coal mines in the village called Heugh in Scotland. Mack works extremely hard in in the cruel and dangerous coalfields. However, he does not want to accept his fate. He never loses his passion for freedom. Mack challenges his owner and flees to London, where he works as a coal heaver and quickly becomes a leader of the heavers. Meanwhile, Lizzie gets married to Sir George's son, Captain Jay Jamisson, and they move to live in London. Then Sir George gives them a tobacco plantation in Virginia as a wedding present. In London, Mack accidentally gets involved in a riot and is sentenced to be transported to Virginia. In America, Lizzie and Mack flee together and fight for their freedom in the western wilderness.

The book is too predictable and the plots are simple. There are too many coincidences and the ending is weak. I believe this book is definitely not Mr Follett's best. However, it's a fast read and quite entertaining. It also briefly but interestingly introduces the turbulent politics on 1760s Scotland, England and America.

I would strongly recommend other books by the same author, including "The pillars of the earth" and "World without end". Those books are great!

Customer Rating:
Summary: Utterly unremarkable, mediocre novel
Comment: I've never read a lot of Ken Follett's work. His two historical fiction novels, World Without End and Pillars of the Earth picqued my interest and led me to delve a little deeper into his earlier efforts. I must say after reading this novel that I was quite disappointed.

A Place Called Freedom is at best quite mediocre. There is virtually nothing to recommend it above hundreds of other similar books. There were flashes of interest concerning mining conditions and southern plantation practices in the mid-18th century, but by and large it was utterly unremarkable.

Hard working, ambitious, intelligent Scottish miner, spends 400 pages being attracted to a young open minded highly sexed heiress both in Scotland and over seas in pre-revolutionary America. I wonder how it ends?