Ken Follett · 1989 · overland

Ken Follett's 1989 epic of the twelfth century and the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, which Follett sited at Marlborough in Wiltshire. Against the backdrop of the Anarchy, the war between Stephen and Maud, the monk Philip, the mason Tom and his stepson Jack pursue an impossible dream in stone. This route follows Jack's quest, which turns him from a forest boy into a master builder: across the Channel to Normandy, through France to the abbey of Saint-Denis, down the pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela and on to Toledo, before he carries the new Gothic home.

1. 1
   Kingsbridge

   In the fictional town of Kingsbridge, set by Follett at Marlborough, a great cathedral slowly rises; the young mason Jack sets out to find his roots and master his craft.

2. 2
   Southampton

   The pilgrims reach the Channel coast at Southampton to take ship for Normandy.

3. 3
   Cherbourg

   Across the Channel to Normandy, where he learns his father was Jacques Cherbourg, a jongleur lost on the White Ship.

4. 4
   Paris

   South to the abbey of Saint-Denis near Paris, where the new pointed arches and soaring light of the Gothic seize his imagination.

5. 5
   Santiago de Compostela

   Along the pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela, carving as he goes.

6. 6
   Toledo

   And on to Toledo, where a Christian Arab merchant opens to him the geometry and learning of the wider world.

7. 7
   Cherbourg

   The homeward road reaches the Normandy coast again.

8. 8
   Southampton

   The Channel crossing back to Southampton.

9. 9
   Kingsbridge

   He carries the new style home, and raises over Kingsbridge a cathedral of impossible height and light.