As a new age dawns in England's twelfth century, the building of a mighty Gothic cathedral sets the stage for a story of intrigue and power, revenge and betrayal.

当他走过废墟旁边时。建造一座新的大教堂的前景似乎看来令人生畏了。那么多石头，那么多木料，那么多手艺匠人，那么些年头。他得掌握这一切。确保材料源源不断地供应，监督木料和石头的质量。雇用和解雇工人，不断地用铅锤和水平仪检查他们的工作。为模型做样板，设计和制作吊装器械……他不清楚自己到底有没有那能力。　　
接着，他又想到从无到有的创造是多么激动人心；将来有一天，在目前这块除了废墟还一无所有的地方，看到一座新教堂矗立着，而且能够说：这是我修建的。　　
他脑子里还有一个念头，那是深埋在尘封的角落里的，他简直不愿意对自己承认的一件事。如果他修好一座大教堂。上帝一定会对他垂青：他不知道他能不能要求让埃格妮丝替他领受那份垂青。如果他能把建大教堂的工作奉献给埃格妮丝。他会觉得她的灵魂是安全的，他也就可以放心休息了。

作者简介

Known around the world for his string of smash-hit spy thrillers touched off by 1978 s Eye of the Needle, Ken Follett s taut tales -- spiked with more than a dash of sex appeal -- have earned this author (and sometime blues guitarist) a reputation as a master of international intrigue.

肯·福莱特（KEN FOLLETT）（1949- ），当代大师级惊悚小说作家。一九四九年七月五日出生于英国威尔士加的夫，先后在哈罗·威尔德语法学校和普尔工学院学习，一九六七年进入伦敦大学学院学习哲学。　　
一九七八年凭借小说《针眼》荣获埃德加·爱伦·坡最佳小说奖，蜚声国际，开始专职写作。一九八九年出版的《圣殿春秋》，是作者最受欢迎的一本书，美国至今仍保持每年十万册的销量。二○○七年出版的续篇《无尽世界》，一举登上《纽约时报》等十多个畅销书榜首位。还著有《圣彼得堡来客》、《与狮同眠》等多部小说。

精彩书评

"Set in 12th-century England, the narrative concerns the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge. The ambitions of three men merge, conflict and collide through 40 years of social and political upheaval as internal church politics affect the progress of the cathedral and the fortunes of the protagonists. "Follett has written a novel that entertains, instructs and satisfies on a grand scale."
--Publishers Weekly

"A radical departure from Follett's novels of international suspense and intrigue, this chronicles the vicissitudes of a prior, his master builder, and their community as they struggle to build a cathedral and protect themselves during the tumultuous 12th century, when the empress Maud and Stephen are fighting for the crown of England after the death of Henry I. The plot is less tightly controlled than those in Follett's contemporary works, and despite the wealth of historical detail, especially concerning architecture and construction, much of the language as well as the psychology of the characters and their relationships remains firmly rooted in the 20th century. This will appeal more to lovers of exciting adventure stories than true devotees of historical fiction. Literary Guild dual main selection."
--Library Journal