Ken Follett, renowned for his thrillers and historical fiction, has become one of modern literature’s most read and revered writers. With over 40 novels to his name – celebrated for their shocking narratives, rich character development, and meticulously researched scenarios – his work has sold more than 180 million copies worldwide.
Born in Wales in 1949, Follett spent his early career working in journalism and publishing, writing books on the side before achieving international acclaim with the 1978 thriller Eye of the Needle.
This World War II spy story won him the Edgar Award for Best Novel and set a spectacular precedent – every book he’s released since has become a bestseller.
In 1989, Follett surprised fans with his first non-spy thriller, The Pillars of the Earth. An epic novel about the building of a medieval cathedral. It’s proved to be his most popular – with three sequels, a prequel, and adapted into a television series produced by Ridley Scott.
In 2023, he listed his all-time favourite reads in a The Week article, spanning suspense, science fiction, and classic literature titles.
Among his selections was Orley Farm, an 1861 novel by Anthony Trollope. Follett praised the work, describing it as: “Trollope’s first success, and a masterpiece of construction. It’s a complex courtroom drama, though we don’t get to court until late in the book”.
“As the case unfolds, Trollope describes the effect of each development on each of several characters. The suspense is terrific as the net slowly tightens around the guilty party”, he added.
Orley Farm, written by Anthony Trollope (1815–1882), was first published in monthly shilling parts by the London publisher Chapman and Hall from March 1861 to October 1862.
The novel centers around the character of Lady Mason, who is accused of forging a codicil to her husband’s will to benefit her son. The ensuing legal battle and its impact on the various characters form the crux of the narrative.
Trollope himself regarded Orley Farm highly, noting in his autobiography: “The plot of Orley Farm is probably the best I have ever made.”
The other titles included in Ken Follett’s favourite books list are Dune by Frank Herbert, Cousin Bette by Honoré de Balzac, Bleak House by Charles Dickens, Live and Let Die by Ian Fleming and The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng.