Sort of related, but my epileptic dog has most of his seizures right as he's waking up. Perhaps he's suddenly losing his "protection" as his short waves are disabling.
I love Pillars of Earth too, and he has turned it into a series (the Kingbridge series) with the fifth book expected this year. I've read each book and overall enjoyed each, particular his detailed research attempting to accurately depict everyday life for each historical era, however it does feel like the same plot with new characters 200 years later with each release.