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The Times' 20 best modern novels
2. 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett
A surprise addition so high in the list, Follett's novel set during the 12th century was given almost international fame after the ever-influential Oprah Winfrey plugged it on her show's book club. The tale of a village's building of a cathedral then remained in the UK and Italian top seller spots for six years.
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