Cathedral - by Ben Hopkins (Paperback)

About the Book

Deftly combining historical fiction and a tale of adventure and intrigue, this novel is centered around a cathedral whose design and construction in the 12th and 13th centuries unites a vast array of characters whose fortunes are inseparable from the shifting political factions and economic interests vying for supremacy.

Book Synopsis

A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS CHOICE

"An expansive fictional epic addressing themes of art, religion and power in the mode of Ken Follett or Umberto Eco... Hopkins's compelling and descriptive tale will leave readers eager for more."--Shelf Awareness (Starred Review)

The Cathedral. A grandiose edifice seemingly with a life of its own in the center of the medieval Rhineland town of Hagenburg. It will decide the fortunes of men and women, and fill wide-eyed children with dreams that are as extravagant as its own awe-inspiring form. Over almost two centuries, the Cathedral's design and construction unites a vast array of unforgettable characters whose destinies are inseparable from the shifting political factions and economic interests vying for supremacy. Immersive, atmospheric, entertaining, Cathedral tells a sweeping story about obsession, mysticism, art, and earthly desire, combining historical fiction with a gripping tale of adventure and intrigue.

"Hopkins weaves together a multitude of voices to examine the relationship between medieval worship and the era's politics and economics. The resulting epic is both sweeping and human."--The New Yorker

"A clever (even postmodern?) commentary on the ironies of history."--Alida Becker, The New York Times Book Review

Review Quotes

★ "A thoroughly engrossing, beautifully told look at human frailty."--Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

★ "Ambitious and satisfying [ . . . ] Six-hundred pages sounds long, but this deeply human take on a medieval city and its commerce and aspirations, its violent battles and small intimacies, never feels that way. This sweeping work is as impressive as the cathedral at its center."--Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

★ "Ben Hopkins's epic historical novel is the riveting story of the lives and motivations of cathedral builders [ . . . ] Rich, moving, and unforgettable, it exposes the vanity inherent in trying to make a mark on history and exalts the power of love, creativity, and truth to leave a meaningful trace on this ephemeral world."--ForeWord Reviews (Starred Review)

"The design and construction of a lofty Medieval cathedral over the course of a century brings together a vast array of characters in a tale of ambition, obsession, desire, vanity and power."--USA Today

"Cathedral [includes] humor, a huge cast of narrators (15), and a clear fascination with the widest range of human behavior."--Jane Ciabattari, Literary Hub

"Comparisons are inevitable to Ken Follett's bestselling book about the building of a cathedral, The Pillars of the Earth. Hopkins's debut is the superior: beautifully written and profoundly insightful about its very human characters and their yearning for both God and Mammon."--Antonia Senior, The Times (UK), Book of the Month

"Cathedral is an ambitious epic [ . . . ] a memorable tapestry of politics, religion and conflicting human desires."--The Sunday Times (UK)

"A varied cast of hugely engaging characters jostle for status, rising and falling according to the whims of pirates and Popes. An immersive, old-fashioned read that rattles along at a cracking pace."--Richard Beard, author of Lazarus is Dead and The Day That Went Missing

"Hopkins surrounds us with people who share our irresistible attraction to physical beauty and the charisma of power, the often prickly comforts of faith, and greed, lust, hunger, illusion, personal love: all that makes us human, regardless of place and time."--Jean Huets, The Historical Novel Society

"Superbly crafted, visually and emotionally vibrant, filled with strong, relatable characters, and so engaging that, even at over six hundred pages, I was sorry when it came to an end."--Kristine Morris, ForeWord Reviews

"Hopkins admits to having enjoyed writing Cathedral immensely, and this is evident in the compassion, humour, pathos and sheer vivacity of a novel which signals the arrival of a bright new talent on the historical fiction stage."--Sarah Bower, The Historical Novel Society

"I haven't been able to put it down! It's such a great read and contains so much! Politics and religion, the birth of an artistic sensibility, the rise of global trade, sassy women, fascinating and original characters."--Alison Finch, BBC Radio 4

"To a dedicated historical fiction reader, [Cathedral is] heaven [ . . . ] It is a rich tapestry with a satisfying substance full of historical detail, personal insight, individual tragedy and triumph. Any reader of historical fiction should greatly enjoy this book, but anyone who loves a multi-generational saga with plenty of sex and violence will also find it gratifying [ . . . ] a compelling read."--Eric Boss, MPIBA

About the Author

Ben Hopkins is a screenwriter, film-maker and novelist. He has lived in London and Istanbul and now lives in Berlin. His films include features and shorts, fiction and documentary, and have won awards at festivals such as Berlin, Locarno, Antalya and Toronto Hot Docs.