[Suzerain of Sheol]

Well, yes, they are, or rather, will be building a cathedral at some point. I stopped after reading the 8-page description of Tom's wife giving birth in the wilderness. I understand "gritty realism, yay!" and all that, but... I really didn't need that level of detail. It was almost like an instruction manual for delivering a baby in the middle of nowhere.

And, sorry, but the only thing I've heard about the Fionovar Tapestry is what you mentioned, though it's supposed to be fairly good. I've seen it recommended as an entry to the genre before.