Premio Bancarella
1 appearances
-
Edition 47 (1999) Winner
Ken Follett
ケン・フォレット
Ken Follett
Pen Names:
Simon Myles（Pen name used for early Apples Carstairs series）,
Bernard L. Ross（Pen name used for some standalone works）,
Zachary Stone（Pen name used in the 1970s）,
Martin Martinsen（Pen name used for some early works）
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1949-06-05 （Cardiff, Wales）
- Nationality
- British, French (since 2025)
- Languages
- English
- Religion
- Atheist (formerly Plymouth Brethren)
- Residence History
- Cardiff (birth) → London (moved at age ten) → Stevenage (base of public activity) → Hertfordshire (residence)
Career
- Occupations
- Novelist, Author, Former journalist
- Active Years
- 1974-2025
- Affiliations
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Dyslexia Action (former President), National Literacy Trust (trustee), University College London (Fellow), Yr Academi Gymreig (The Welsh Academy, Fellow)
- Memberships
- Royal Society of Literature (Fellow), Yr Academi Gymreig (Welsh Academy), Royal Society of Arts
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University College London | Faculty (studied philosophy) | Department of Philosophy | BA | 1967–1970 | United Kingdom |
University College London
Faculty (studied philosophy)
/ Department of Philosophy
Degree:
BA
Period:
1967–1970
Year of Graduation:
1970
Country:
United Kingdom
Active in centre-left politics during his studies
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) | — | — | The Crown / Birthday Honours | Appointed |
| 2018 | Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) | — | — | Royal Society of Literature | Elected |
| 2013 | Edgar Awards Grand Master | — | — | Mystery Writers of America (Edgar Awards) | Grand Master |
| 1979 | Edgar Award — Best Novel | Eye of the Needle | — | Mystery Writers of America | Winner |
| 2003 | Corine Literature Prize | Jackdaws | — | Corine Literature Prize | Winner |
| 1999 | Premio Bancarella | The Hammer of Eden | — | Premio Bancarella | Winner |
| 2012 | Qué Leer Prize for Best Translated Book | Winter of the World | — | Qué Leer (Spain) | Winner |
| 2010 | Libri Golden Book Award — Best Fiction Title | Fall of Giants | — | Libri (Hungary) | Winner |
| 2008 | Olaguibel Prize | — | — | Olaguibel Prize (Spain) | Winner |
| 2007 | Honorary Doctor of Literature (University of Glamorgan) | — | — | University of Glamorgan | Honorary degree |
| 2007 | Honorary Doctor of Literature (Saginaw Valley State University) | — | — | Saginaw Valley State University | Honorary degree |
| 2008 | Honorary Doctor of Literature (University of Exeter) | — | — | University of Exeter | Honorary degree |
| 2019 | Honorary Doctor of Letters (University of Warwick) | — | — | University of Warwick | Honorary degree |
| 2010 | Thrillerfest Grand Master | — | — | Thrillerfest (New York) | Grand Master |
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
2018
Organization:
The Crown / Birthday Honours
Result:
Appointed
Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL)
2018
Organization:
Royal Society of Literature
Result:
Elected
Edgar Awards Grand Master
2013
Organization:
Mystery Writers of America (Edgar Awards)
Result:
Grand Master
Edgar Award — Best Novel
1979
Work:
Eye of the Needle
Organization:
Mystery Writers of America
Result:
Winner
Corine Literature Prize
2003
Work:
Jackdaws
Organization:
Corine Literature Prize
Result:
Winner
Premio Bancarella
1999
Work:
The Hammer of Eden
Organization:
Premio Bancarella
Result:
Winner
Qué Leer Prize for Best Translated Book
2012
Work:
Winter of the World
Organization:
Qué Leer (Spain)
Result:
Winner
Libri Golden Book Award — Best Fiction Title
2010
Work:
Fall of Giants
Organization:
Libri (Hungary)
Result:
Winner
Olaguibel Prize
2008
Organization:
Olaguibel Prize (Spain)
Result:
Winner
Honorary Doctor of Literature (University of Glamorgan)
2007
Organization:
University of Glamorgan
Result:
Honorary degree
Honorary Doctor of Literature (Saginaw Valley State University)
2007
Organization:
Saginaw Valley State University
Result:
Honorary degree
Honorary Doctor of Literature (University of Exeter)
2008
Organization:
University of Exeter
Result:
Honorary degree
Honorary Doctor of Letters (University of Warwick)
2019
Organization:
University of Warwick
Result:
Honorary degree
Thrillerfest Grand Master
2010
Organization:
Thrillerfest (New York)
Result:
Grand Master
Awards & Nominations
Edgar Allan Poe Awards
4 appearances
-
Edition 0 (2013) Winner
Works
Major Works
Eye of the Needle
1978 Spy thrillerA tense World War II spy thriller that became Follett's commercial breakthrough.
EspionageBetrayalSurvival
Adaptations
- [Film] Eye of the Needle (film) / Richard Marquand (1981)
The Pillars of the Earth
1989 Historical fiction (epic)An epic historical novel set in 12th‑century England about the building of a cathedral and the lives of those involved; Follett's best‑known work and first in the Kingsbridge series.
Medieval societyBuilding and laborPower struggles
Adaptations
- [TV miniseries] The Pillars of the Earth (miniseries) / Sergio Mimica-Gezzan (2010)
- [Video game] Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth (2017)
Fall of Giants
2010 Historical fiction (Century Trilogy)First volume of the Century Trilogy following five interrelated families through the dramas surrounding World War I and its aftermath.
War and politicsClass struggleSocial change
Winter of the World
2012 Historical fiction (Century Trilogy)Second book in the Century Trilogy, covering the rise of Nazi Germany, the Spanish Civil War, and the upheavals of World War II.
Total warHuman moral conflictPolitical ideologies
Edge of Eternity
2014 Historical fiction (Century Trilogy)The concluding volume of the Century Trilogy, following the five families through the Cold War and the latter half of the 20th century.
Cold WarCivil rightsInternational politics
Jackdaws
2001 World War II thrillerA WWII thriller about a team of women sent on a dangerous mission; won the Corine Literature Prize in 2003.
ResistanceRole of womenCourage and sacrifice
Bibliography
- The Big Needle (1974)
- Eye of the Needle (1978)
- The Pillars of the Earth (1989)
- World Without End (2007)
- Fall of Giants (2010)
- Winter of the World (2012)
- Edge of Eternity (2014)
- A Column of Fire (2017)
- The Evening and the Morning (2020)
- The Armour of Light (2023)
Adaptations
- Eye of the Needle (film, 1981)
- The Pillars of the Earth (TV miniseries, 2010)
- World Without End (TV miniseries, 2012)
- The Pillars of the Earth (video game, 2017–2018)
- A Dangerous Fortune (adapted)
Translations by Author
- The Heist of the Century (translated from French, with René Louis Maurice and others)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Page-turning suspenseDetailed historical research and epic storytelling
- Recurring Motifs
- Construction and building as metaphors for civilizationWar and its consequencesConflict between individuals and power
Legacy
Ken Follett is a bestselling international author who has had major impact in both thriller and historical fiction. Works such as The Pillars of the Earth have been widely translated and adapted for film, television, stage and games. He is also recognized for contributions to literacy and education initiatives.
Academic Societies
- Royal Society of Literature (RSL)
- Yr Academi Gymreig (Welsh Academy)
Archives
- Saginaw Valley State University (archives hold Follett's papers)
In Popular Culture
- Multiple media adaptations including The Pillars of the Earth miniseries and video game
Quotes
-
I'm still an atheist, but I do have a spiritual life.
Source: The Guardian (interview, 2022) (2022)
Trivia
- As a child his parents banned TV and films, fostering an early interest in reading.
- Published early works under multiple pen names.
- Plays bass guitar as an amateur musician.