Fall of Giants (novel)
Encyclopedia
Fall of Giants is a historical novel
by Welsh born author Ken Follett
. It is the first in the Century Trilogy, and follows five interrelated families throughout the course of the Twentieth Century between 1911 and 1924. The first book covers notable events such as World War I
, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women’s suffrage. According to Follett the next two sequels will cover World War II
and the Cold War
.
Three years later, the main story begins. Earl Teddy "Fitz" Fitzherbert, who maintains a country estate in Aberowen, and licenses the land on which the coal mine is built, hosts a party for many powerful people around the world. His guests include:
Major characters introduced after the party include Gregori and Lev Pushkov, two Russian orphans who work in a locomotive factory, and have personal reasons to hold a grudge against Princess Bea and the rest of the Russian royal family.
The characters and their extended families find their fortunes changing for the better and for the worse due to both their interactions with each other and the effects of the First World War.
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
by Welsh born author Ken Follett
Ken Follett
Ken Follett is a Welsh author of thrillers and historical novels. He has sold more than 100 million copies of his works. Four of his books have reached the number 1 ranking on the New York Times best-seller list: The Key to Rebecca, Lie Down with Lions, Triple, and World Without End.-Early...
. It is the first in the Century Trilogy, and follows five interrelated families throughout the course of the Twentieth Century between 1911 and 1924. The first book covers notable events such as World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women’s suffrage. According to Follett the next two sequels will cover World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
Plot Summary
The novel begins with the thirteen-year-old Billy Williams, nicknamed Billy Twice, going to work his first day in the coal mine underneath the fictional Welsh town of Aberowen in 1911.Three years later, the main story begins. Earl Teddy "Fitz" Fitzherbert, who maintains a country estate in Aberowen, and licenses the land on which the coal mine is built, hosts a party for many powerful people around the world. His guests include:
- Maud Fitzherbert, Fitz's sister, who is far more liberal than her conservative brother.
- Walter von Ulrich, a German nobleman and a former schoolmate of Fitz's. He and Maud begin at the party to act on the mutual attraction they have felt for years.
- Graf (Count) Robert von Ulrich, Walter's Austrian homosexual cousin.
- Gus Dewar, a highly-educated American who is also a close adviser to President Woodrow WilsonWoodrow WilsonThomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
. - Bea Fitzherbert, Fitz's wife, a Russian Princess.
- King George V, King of the British EmpireBritish EmpireThe British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. - Mary of TeckMary of TeckMary of Teck was the queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, as the wife of King-Emperor George V....
, wife of King George V.
Major characters introduced after the party include Gregori and Lev Pushkov, two Russian orphans who work in a locomotive factory, and have personal reasons to hold a grudge against Princess Bea and the rest of the Russian royal family.
The characters and their extended families find their fortunes changing for the better and for the worse due to both their interactions with each other and the effects of the First World War.