<p>I watched the first episode and thought it was just okay. Perhaps a thousand page book filled with fascinating historical detail just can’t be successfully compressed into 8 hours of television without losing a lot and seeming hectic with constant scene changes. (I also found the casting of a highly recognizable and rather overused actor like Donald Sutherland to be distracting. He never loses himself in a role.) I’ve seen reviews that mention a number of plotting changes from the book, including a different ending, and while I read it many years ago and certainly don’t remember all the plot intricacies, that’s a shame. So I’m not sure if I’ll keep watching or just let my good memories of the book remain undisturbed.</p>
<p>We get Encore and were able to tape the premier for our relative, but don’t know if the rest will come on Encore. </p>
<p>Anybody know about this?</p>
<p>We do not have Starz.</p>
<p>Is there a pay per view option we can get for it?</p>
<p>I first heard about Pillars a few years ago when it was among a list of books that a parents group here in Fairfax Co., Va, wanted banned from HS libraries. Of course I had to read it; loved it and the long-awaited sequel. Most of the books I read are complicated action, legal/political intrigue, or thrillers of some kind, and it’s amazing that a relatively straightforward story can be so compelling, with characters that you come to really care about.</p>
<p>The Washington Post gave the series a relatively negative review, and I don’t get Encore or Starz, so I’m looking forward to hearing what everyone here has to say before deciding to invest hours in front of the computer watching it…</p>
<p>
Seriously? Hard to believe. That would definitely make me want to read it ASAP too! :)</p>
<p>Oh yes, we have a brigade of book burners is our fair county! I think the name is PABBIS Parents Against Bad Books In Schools. I don’t think they are as active now as five or so years ago. Really, do any students have time to read a close to thousand page book on their own time? And are they reading it just so they can get to the “good” parts? Pretty doubtful. And why did that adult “book burner” spend so much time reading those hot and heavy passages anyway? Hmm…?!! I happen to have known one of the heavy weights in that group back in the day and I think he had some deep issues to get over. Don’t mean to get on a soap box, but this really hit a nerve!!</p>
<p>So now that the series has been shown in its entirety, what is the verdict?</p>
<p>Watched the series and enjoyed, but definitely thought it was pot boiler fare. The historical inaccuracies were howlers.</p>
<p>I read the book years ago and absolutely loved it. I’ve forgotten an awful lot, though - time to re-read!</p>
<p>The library in my mother’s town had a display last summer of books that had been banned. I remember seeing lots of great books in that display.</p>
<p>I was so shocked that my husband got into it. I found that I had forgotten a whole lot of this book and enjoyed having my memory refreshed. I was able to pick out stuff that deviated from the book.</p>
<p>It seemed like it took 7 episodes to get about halfway through the novel, and then the two hour finale covered the lengthy second half!</p>
<p>If you have Netflix with mini-series is available via their on-demand for free. </p>
<p>Many changes from the book, including giving away a key plot point about 6 minutes in. Unforgivable!</p>