Dear Ken Follett,

I first read The Pillars of the Earth about 15 years ago and loved it. Since that time, I have recommended it to many others and read it once again. I am reminded it has been a while, so I plan to read it again soon. My copy is getting dog-eared but one of the favorites in my library. My question is, how long did it take to do the research for this impressive novel?

— Nancy C.

Dear Nancy,

I was fascinated by the cathedrals long before I wrote the book, so you could say I was researching for 10 years before I started to write. Then I took three years and three months to finish the book, doing further research as I went along.

— Ken Follett