Trang chủ/Review sách/All/Hai Số Phận  Hai số phận của hai con người này hoàn toàn khác nhau, một người sinh ra trong nghèo khó nhưng lại rất may mắn, một người sinh ra trong giàu có nhưng lại rất nỗ lực. Hai con người ai cũng phải trải qua những biến cố, mất mát và trải nghiệm sống để mà có thể đi đến thành công. Đọc quyển sách, ta có thể cảm nhận được những quyết tâm và tài năng của họ để đạt được mục tiêu của đời mình, một người muốn thoát khỏi cảnh nghèo khó, một người muốn chứng tỏ bản thân giỏi hơn cha mình.. Danh mục: All Hai số phận (có tên gốc tiếng Anh là: Kane and Abel) là một cuốn tiểu thuyết được sáng tác vào năm 1979 bởi nhà văn người Anh Jeffrey Archer. Tựa đề Kane and Abel dựa theo câu chuyện của anh em: Cain và Abel trong Kinh Thánh Cựu Ước. Tác phẩm được xuất bản tại Vương quốc Anh vào năm 1979 và tại Hoa Kỳ vào tháng 2 năm 1980, cuốn sách phổ biến thành công trên thế giới. Sách đạt danh hiệu sách bán chạy nhất theo danh sách của tờ New York Times và năm 1985 nó được đưa lên chương trình truyền hình miniseries của CBS với tên là Kane & Abel bắt đầu với Peter Strauss vai Rosnovski và Sam Neill vai Kane.
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I Remember Reading You Like It Was
Yesterday!! I have been updating my “favorites” shelf and realized my favorite book of all time is this one. I am getting as old as dirt and read this nearly 40 years ago when my soon to be mother-in-law, rest her soul, handed me her paperback copy and told me “I loved this!,” and she thought I would too. She was absolutely correct, and this book was the catalyst for my love of reading from that point on. I can still remember sitting on my parents couch mesmerize I have been updating my “favorites” shelf and realized my favorite book of all time is this one. I am getting as old as dirt and read this nearly 40 years ago when my soon to be mother-in-law, rest her soul, handed me her paperback copy and told me “I loved this!,” and she thought I would too. She was absolutely correct, and this book was the catalyst for my love of reading from that point
on. I can still remember sitting on my parents couch mesmerized by the storyline. I simply could not put it down. Jeffrey Archer is a pure genius! I guess this falls under “general” fiction, because it sure isn’t my usual romance. BUT, it is about two of the most memorable men I have ever met who despise each other. I am just glad it is still available, as it was first published in 1979. No matter what your genre of choice, I couldn’t recommend this book any higher. Would give
10 stars if I could ;)
This was a book my mother recommended to me. She read it several years ago and remembered how good it was. And oh how good it was. This is a great story that is told over about 60 years from Europe to America. Archer tells 2 parallel stories. One about Abel Rosnovki and one about William Kane. The story is so well told and so interesting that I felt torn between the two main characters and their stories. You feel pulled away from one story line when Archer takes you to the next. I enjoyed Archer This was a book my mother recommended to me. She read it several years ago and remembered how good it was. And oh how good it was. This is a great story that is told over about 60 years from Europe to America. Archer tells 2 parallel stories. One about Abel Rosnovki and one about William Kane. The story is so well told and so interesting that I felt torn between the two main characters and their stories. You feel pulled away from one story line when Archer takes you to the next. I enjoyed Archer’s historical weave throughout each chapter. Especially the history of Poland and the part it played in both World Wars. Fascinating! Each character is developed from birth by the author and he does an outstanding job of taking you thru their childhood, teenage-school years and then adulthood. So, as a reader, you really get a feel for what they are made of and why they made the decisions they made throughout their life. The stories cross paths through-out the book and the ending is a masterful surprise. I have already mooched the sequel The Prodigal Daughter which I can’t wait to read. ...more
I don't think so one can ever read a better Fiction than this. What is it that this book didn't have? You can't set any particular genre for it. It had thrill,
mystery, drama, contemporary, historical fiction and what not. Oh....! I forgot to mention one thing. It ended with a sense of moral thought. It showed the way people live their modern day lives. Everybody running in one direction, running after money. Money seems to be everything to all of us. But there's an old saying Money can't buy yo I don't think so one can ever read a better Fiction than this. What is it that this book didn't have? You
can't set any particular genre for it. It had thrill, mystery, drama, contemporary, historical fiction and what not. Oh....! I forgot to mention one thing. It ended with a sense of moral thought. It showed the way people live their modern day lives. Everybody running in one direction, running after money. Money seems to be everything to all of us. But there's an old saying Money can't buy you happiness. and what better example to illustrate it than this book itself. It shows you that
happiness is in small things of life such as your family, friends and all that. Just a GREAT BOOK.
I re-read this after many years and found that I enjoyed it almost as much as the first time. The writing is excellent and of course the characters are memorable. This is a story of two determined men of character. William
Kane is born into privilege in the US, keen to head the bank his father helped build, while Abel Rosnovski (named Wladek by his foster parents) is born in Poland with his mother dying soon after. Abel survives the Germans and then the Russians, making it to the US via Turkey. H William Kane is born into privilege in the US, keen to head the bank his father helped build, while Abel Rosnovski (named Wladek by his foster parents) is born in Poland with his mother dying soon after. Abel survives the Germans and then the Russians, making it to the US via Turkey. He starts small as a waiter, and later thrives in the restaurant trade. He gets into a bitter (and misplaced) confrontation with William Kane. I loved the
contrast in the characters - William Kane: sophisticated, Abel Rosnovski: street smart, both ambitious and determined to rise to the top in their professions. In my recent read, I did feel the story had deliberate tracks to make you feel “If only” especially towards the end. I suppose one could nit-pick some of this, but then hey – it is a wonderful read. The book sets itself up very well for the sequel with the next generation - Richard Kane & Florentyna Rosnovski. This was the book
which made me an Archer fan many years back and I read many of his other books in quick succession. Strongly recommended if you have somehow not read this book!
I read this book because my book club had picked it. Can that sound any more insulting? I think I'd read it before, when I was a lot younger. I know that it is on my mother's bookshelf, she was very excited when she heard that the
book club had chosen it. Anyhoo, it is bad. And not in a way that "it is so bad it is good", it is just bad in a way that "pulling nostril hairs with a pair of pliers" is no fun at all. You get the feeling that Mr. Archer came up with the title during an evening's drink You get the feeling that Mr. Archer came up with the title during an evening's drinking, came up with the plot after a couple more drinks, dictated the story when the bottle was finished. What makes it worse is that you get the feeling that his editor was
there at the same drinking session, thus failing to correct the countless mistakes. Forget the childish writing that an editor should pick up (really, soldiers take their clothes off and fold them neatly before raping a women?), nor the arrival of deus ex machina characters who have no life outside moving the story on (can anyone really explain what that woman was doing on the train outside a gulag?). No, it is the basic errors in the plot that tend to make you think the editor didn't
really bother to read the thing. Actually, this book annoyed me so much that I am typing this and getting angrier and angrier, remembering how bad it was. So I'll stop.
Looking at an old book with modern lenses isn't easy. I have read this classic at least 4-5 times but more than fifteen years ago. This reread (which will probably be a final reread) took me down nostalgia lane. In many ways,
I have grown as a reader so I could see all the flaws of the book standing out glaringly - the umpteen coincidences, the "Bollywood potboiler" kind of drama, the lack of attention to the daughters,... These elements haven't stood the test of time. At the same time, nothing c In many ways, I have grown as a reader so I could see all the flaws of the book standing out glaringly - the umpteen coincidences, the "Bollywood potboiler" kind of drama, the lack of attention to the daughters,... These elements haven't stood the test of time. At the same time, nothing can deny the magnitude of the historical, social and political coverage of the book. Nor can one ignore how wonderfully the story is built up in parallel between the
two main characters, each of them getting the spotlight for an almost equal time. That ending is also perfect. I would have been disappointed if it had gone the more clichéd way. Kane and Abel are both grey characters in many ways. Regardless of their disparate start in life, they have so much in common, especially in their determination, drive and demands. I don't love the characters but I love their intricate character sketching. Only Jeffrey Archer can make you root for such complicated
characters. If I view this book through my 2022 perspective, I might rate it a 4. But considering the era it was written in, and keeping in mind the almost perfect blend of fact and fiction, I will go with 4.5. The fact that I could complete this 550 pager within two days shows how much I have loved this classic. It's still going to be one of my favourite Archer works, despite the myriad flaws. 😊 ***********************
Kane and Abel (Kane and Abel, #1), Jeffrey Archer
Unputdownable. What a marvelous story!
It was clear from the start that this wasn't great literature by any means--but for the first part of around 200 pages I found it gripping. One of those sagas where you enjoy a panorama of
history and watching two powerful characters clashing. The story follows two men born on the same day in 1906. William Kane Lowell, a Boston Brahmin and Abel Rosnovski, the illegitimate son of a Polish baron. We follow their parallel but contrasting from boyhood. Both prove themselves at first both extraordina It was clear from the start that this wasn't great literature by any means--but for the first part of around 200 pages I found it gripping.
One of those sagas where you enjoy a panorama of history and watching two powerful characters clashing. The story follows two men born on the same day in 1906. William Kane Lowell, a Boston Brahmin and Abel Rosnovski, the illegitimate son of a Polish baron. We follow their parallel but contrasting from boyhood. Both prove themselves at first both extraordinary and sympathetic. We watch self-contained William shrewdly build on his fortune, making his own money buying and selling matchbox cars to
his classmates, building a stockmarket portfolio while still a schoolboy, and struggling against his feckless stepfather. Meanwhile Abel comes into his inheritance, learning he's his father's son even as he loses everything to the Russians in the wake of World War I and emigrating to the United States with only a few dollars coming off the boat. My problems with the books began when their lives began to intersect. Too many coincidences moved the plot, too many misunderstandings and pettiness
factored into their enmity and the resolution was too cliched.
Story Overview Two men—William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski—are born on the same day in 1906. However, their births could not be more different. Abel is a penniless orphan who is adopted by a poor Polish
woodcutter's family after his mother is found dying by the road. Kane is born into a life of privilege—the only son of a powerful Boston banking millionaire. The book chronicles the parallel lives of the two men. Abel endures hardship, tragedy and oppression but manages to immigrate to America a Two men—William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski—are born on the same day in 1906. However, their births could not be more
different. Abel is a penniless orphan who is adopted by a poor Polish woodcutter's family after his mother is found dying by the road. Kane is born into a life of privilege—the only son of a powerful Boston banking millionaire. The book chronicles the parallel lives of the two men. Abel endures hardship, tragedy and oppression but manages to immigrate to America and build a successful hotel chain. Kane takes full advantage of his birthright and receives the finest education money can buy
and becomes the leader of one of America's oldest and most powerful banks—yet suffers a series of tragedies of his own that make him wary of trusting people. Although their lives run parallel as they establish their careers, there are moments when their lives intersect. Eventually, they confront each other in a business situation that ends up affecting both their lives forever and leading to a game of one-upsmanship that affects not only their individual businesses but the U.S. financial
community. As the conflict unfolds between them for the bulk of their adult lives, both are stunned to find that the biggest price ends up being paid by those they love the most. My Thoughts I'm going to say this upfront: I didn't like this book. I forced myself to finish reading it—hoping it might get better. It didn't. Once I was 200 pages in, I felt I needed to just go ahead and slog on through. I had high hopes going in because I'd seen a few bloggers raving about Jeffrey
Archer and his books—especially Kane & Abel. But whatever they might have seen in this book eluded me because it left me cold. My first problem is with the writing style. I found the writing to be very choppy. The entire book is written in a kind of rat-a-tat-tat style that I found off-putting. The majority of the narration and dialogue simply exists to move the story along; there isn't a lot of introspection, character development or extraneous description. I kept thinking: "This book
seems so masculine. So abrupt and cold." I don't know if this is typical of Jeffrey Archer, but I don't plan on finding out. Characters are introduced and then dispatched with cold abandon. Perhaps this is meant to mirror the characters themselves—both of whom are somewhat unlikable and ruthless—but I feel it doesn't allow the reader to get a toehold into the story. My next problem was with the amazing coincidences that keep bringing these two together. I guess I should have expected that
from the very beginning when Archer chose to have them born on the same day. However, it began to annoy the heck out of me when they kept having run-ins that were really unbelievable. I mean, in all of the insanity of World War II, the fact that Abel (who mostly stays behind battle lines managing the food prep) ventures into "combat" exactly one time and manages to heroically save one person and it ends up being Kane was just too much for me. Another coincidence that drove me up the wall
was when these men—who end up being the bitterest enemies bent on mutual destruction for almost the entire book—both have one person they love more than anyone in the world—their children. I'll give you one guess who ends up falling in love. Yes....their children. Doesn't that just beat all? I mean it isn't like they live in a small town or anything where the choices are limited. No, they "find" each other in the podunk town of New York City. Oh, did I spoil the book for you? Well, you should
have seen it coming a mile off—I know I did and I'm terrible at that kind of stuff. But perhaps the biggest reason I didn't like the book was that I didn't like Kane or Abel. I just didn't give a darn what happened to either one of them. Both are obsessed with money and power and have few "real" human relationships. So once you factor in unlikable characters, add in a writing style that didn't grab me, and multiply by plot turns that seem unbelievably contrived, I ended up giving this book
two stars (and that is being generous). My Final Recommendation I don't recommend this book at all. I didn't enjoy it in the least. So, I guess I've defying Otto Preminger, who has a blurb on the back of my book that reads: "I defy anyone not to enjoy this book, which is one of the best novels I have ever read." Well, Mr. Preminger: I didn't enjoy it. What are you going to do about it? But I have to tell you, I seem to be alone in my assessment of this book from what I can
tell. There are tons of 5 star reviews on Amazon, and the book jacket itself is just loaded with glowing praise. So, even though it wasn't my type of book, it might still have merit for you.
One of the best books I've ever read. Two men from different backgrounds meet and impact on each others lives. One extremely rich and one a poor refugee from the world war travels to America to make a name for himself. Well written with interesting charaters and story. Well worth a read. One of the best books I've ever read. Two men from different backgrounds meet and impact on each others lives. One extremely rich and one a poor refugee from the world war travels to America to make a name for himself. Well written with interesting charaters and story. Well worth a read. ...more
I cannot say enough good things about this book. Outstanding character development, excellent plot, wonderful setting structures and a totally satisfying read and conclusion. Top of my best for best books I have read.
It was a massive,huge bestseller when it was first published. On my copy of the book,I can see some glowing reviews.One hyperbolic review describes Archer as "probably the greatest storyteller of our age". I enjoyed it the first time
and I had read most of Archer's books in the meanwhile and found myself asking the question,how many times can you write Kane and Abel ? He has used the formula too often in his later books. It I enjoyed it the first time and I had read most of Archer's books in the meanwhile and found myself asking the question,how many times can you write Kane and Abel ? He has used the formula too often in his later books. It is a story about the lives of two powerful men,born on the same day in contrasting circumstances. They compete ferociously to build a
fortune and end up wanting to destroy each other. The story spans sixty years and moves through cataclysmic events including World Wars I & II and the Great Depression. Although it moves at a brisk enough pace,some of the events and coincidences are just too convenient.In particular,the story of Abel's early life is scarcely credible. The book catapulted Archer to fame. It was successful enough for him to write a sequel,The Prodigal Daughter.That turned out to be a
disappointing effort.
This is the best fiction I have read so far. However, I hate myself for anticipating the scenario between their kids well in advance. Damn me! Rating-
4.9/5
Archer's Criminal Trial for Perjury (from Wikipedia) On 19 July 2001, Archer was found guilty of perjury and perverting the course of justice at the 1987 trial. Prominent
journalists admitted to having accepted Archer's 'hospitality' after he was convicted" On 19 July 2001, Archer was found guilty of perjury and perverting the course
of justice at the 1987 trial. Prominent journalists admitted to having accepted Archer's 'hospitality' after he was convicted"
The story is well written, the details are good, the two main characters and their life journeys are impressive enough to keep me reading. However, the secondary characters aren't all that great. And this story also
doesn't give us any motto outside of "with enough wits and constant hard work, you can get rich in America!" and I'm like...'what?' Still...I will read more of this author's works when I have time. The story is well written, the details are good, the two main characters and their life journeys are impressive enough to keep me reading. However, the secondary characters aren't all that great. And this story also doesn't give us any motto outside of "with enough wits and constant hard work, you can get rich in America!" and I'm like...'what?'Still...I will read more of this author's works when I have time. ...more
With such a clear allusion to the dysfunctional brothers in Genesis, we were intrigued. Would the Able character in Jeffrey Archer’s novel suffer a cruel fate at the hands of his brother? Does
the title even refer to a pair of brothers? Does the title even refer to people? Is Jeffery Archer even a real person? These questions plagued us for several months, until finally, we decided to pursue the sensible option and just read the book. William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski are not brothers. In fa William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski are not brothers. In fact they aren’t even related. Kane was the son of a rich banker while Able was born penniless and parentless (and with only one nipple).
Kane was offered every advantage in life while Able was thrown into a Russian labor camp at a young age. Still, it doesn’t take long before the similarities start to bubble to the surface. Driven to build their financial empires, fate soon has both characters set on a collision course that will have you humming (get ready for our big musical number).... It's a world of laughter, a world of tears. Kane and Abel was all about the two main characters. They were arrogant, stubborn, greedy, unforgiving, and... real. As a result, they were incredibly interesting. The entire novel was devoted to their lives and while Kane and Abel possess plenty of good traits, it was those listed above that had us clenching our fists and wanting to smite both of them. One chapter you’re rooting for Kane and then the next you’re rooting for Abel. And then
the next you’re rooting for neither... The historical aspects of the novel were also very intriguing. The sinking of the Titanic, WWII, and the US stock market collapse in 1929 all had a profound impact on the character’s lives. Even events like the commercial release of Gone with the Wind and McCarthyism were woven into the story, yet the narrative stayed focused and never bogged down. By the end, we had a deep appreciation for the characters and were sad to finish the last page. Then we
stumbled across the sequel... bring it on! Editor’s Note: Hopefully it’s not too obvious that our main goal of this post is to have "It’s a Small World" stuck in your head for the rest of the day...
This books main success is that even though the two characters come from completely different backgrounds, they are essentially the same at heart and at no point in the book do you feel either of the characters have become a better person than the other. There are times when Kane and Abel each act in an underhand or despicable way, but they also redeem themselves continuously so that you never feel that either one is to blame for the feud between them, more that it was all just a matter of circu This books main success is that even though the two characters come from completely different backgrounds, they are essentially the same at heart and at no point in the book do you feel either of the characters have become a better person than the other. There are times when Kane and Abel each act in an underhand or despicable way, but they also redeem themselves continuously so that you never feel that either one is to blame for the feud between them, more that it was all just a matter of circumstance. I have never read a Jeffrey Archer novel before and I was pleasantly surprised to find a story so compelling I struggled to put it down and it touched on subjects I have not read before in a book. A thoroughly good read. ...more
William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski, one the son of a Boston millionaire, the other a penniless Polish immigrant. Two men, born on the same day, on opposite sides of the world, their paths destined to cross in their
ruthless struggle to build a fortune. Look, I'll be honest. This is not a book I'd have picked up on my own, but it was chosen by a member of my book club. It was this or Captain Corelli's Mandolin and I voted for the one that wasn't a Nicolas Cage movie. Also, Kane and Abel sounde Look, I'll be honest. This is not a book I'd have picked up on my own, but it was chosen by a member of my book club. It was this or
Captain Corelli's Mandolin and I voted for the one that wasn't a Nicolas Cage movie. Also, Kane and Abel sounded slightly more interesting. I mean, look at that blurb! While it's outside of what normally piques my interest, it does sound like it could be gripping. In reality, I only finished it because I feel it is my responsibility to finish any book chosen for book club, and also because it would be hypocritical of me to not do so since I've told members in the past that they can't come to meetings if they haven't read the books. By the end of Kane and Abel, I was furiously hate-reading ... reading it quickly because of how much I hated the book and the characters and just wanted to finish the damn thing! I had three main problems: 1. The writing is atrocious. I don't understand all the five-star reviews, or why this was on the BBC list of top 100 best-loved novels. "Abel stared at the voice." How does one accomplish that, unless one is tripping balls on hallucinogens? "...he scribbled a quick note in his neat but illegible handwriting." Well, which is it? Neat or illegible? I don't think it can be both. If it can be both, please share an example with me. What I want to know is, where was the editor? Because this writing is bad enough to be distracting to me. It's hard for me to lose myself in a story when the images in my head screech to a halt because the author seemingly used Magnetic Poetry to string together sentences. Was Jeffrey Archer paid by the word, thereby wanting to use an excessive amount of words when less would have sufficed? 2. The treatment of women really got under my skin. It's one thing to read something written 100+ years ago. Men had their place in society, and women theirs. But Kane and Abel was written in the late 70s, and so doesn't get a pass from me. "From the eighth tee Alan hit his ball into a lake directly in front of them, a lake even novice women players managed to clear." *eyeroll* There were also a couple of instances of revenge sex, because why not? Frankly, all the female characters fell into one of two categories: either they were "good" and therefore wifely and/or motherly, or they were "bad" and just there for fucking (including the already-mentioned revenge sex). 3. The coincidences, man. They get more frequent and more implausible as you go. I won't list any here because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone that might be interested in reading this after all. But I found it to be silly and so very obvious, and nothing in the end surprised me. You could see the resolution from a mile away. In fact, you could see everything from a mile away! If this is the best Jeffrey Archer has to offer, I can say with confidence I won't be reading anything else by him in the future. ...more
What an adventure to read this one finally!
I think this has to be the best book I have ever read. I keep recommending it to everyone so much so a friend of mine believes I have shares in the publishing world! I was completely surprised when I read this book. What I
thought it would be like and what was delivered far exceeded my expectations. You end up liking both characters despite them conflicting with each other. The ending is remarkable. It is so engrossing that you can actually imagine and visualise what they experienced both physic You end up liking both characters despite them conflicting with each other. The ending is remarkable. It is so engrossing that you can actually imagine and visualise what they experienced both physically and emotionally. A true genius when it comes to story telling anyway that's for sure!
Gold fever. We all know the phenomenon; an obsession, a never-ending fascination and a desperate need for more. As I read this book I experienced something similar; reading fever. Usually I'm always focusing on a beautiful languages with mesmerizing metaphors and beautiful sentences. This book however does not contain any of those factors; the writing style is simple, there is hardly any use of adjectives or long passages of descriptions,
which I normally hold so dear. However I loved it just as much. Perhaps even more. 'Cause it turns out that sometimes a good story with a beautiful message is more than enough. I may have finished reading this book; but I am not at all done with it. This is one of those rare books I will keep with me forever. In my heart and in the back of my mind.
This book was exactly what I needed at the time. Just a good story. I loved the parallel storylines of two boys born on the same day on opposite ends of the earth, and anticipating the convergence of them. These are usually my favorite types of novels. It's not the perfect read, though. As I was getting through the first 30 pages or so, I was struck by the feeling I was reading this extended
prologue: you don't quite have that embedded feeling with the characters, you're just getting the lay of th I loved the parallel storylines of two boys born on the same day on opposite ends of the earth, and anticipating the convergence of them. These are usually my favorite types of novels. It's not the perfect read, though. As I was getting through the first 30 pages
or so, I was struck by the feeling I was reading this extended prologue: you don't quite have that embedded feeling with the characters, you're just getting the lay of the land; a high level telling of story. Now, don't think that this novel is not worth reading, It certainly is. It is a fantastic story and I could hardly put it down. This is one of the few times I can let my rich characterization criteria fall by the side and simply enjoy where this story is going.
There are surprises to be had, and the pacing of the plotlines was expertly done. I will absolutely, definitely, read more Jeffrey Archer!
This was my first Jeffrey Archer. I went in to this not knowing a single thing except my husband was also reading it and was totally caltivated, despite this not being
thriller, crime, or any pinnable down genre. It's.. drama? But still with the pace of a good thriller, relentlessly plowing forwards plotwise. Following two different lives starting shortly before WW1, one is Polish, the other American. Their lives are described in such vivid, relentless, unsentimental detail that it's impossible This was my first Jeffrey Archer. I went in to this not knowing a single thing except my husband was also reading it and
was totally caltivated, despite this not being thriller, crime, or any pinnable down genre. It's.. drama? But still with the pace of a good thriller, relentlessly plowing forwards plotwise. Following two different lives starting shortly before WW1, one is Polish, the other American. Their lives are described in such vivid, relentless, unsentimental detail that it's impossible not to get absorbed. They're both stubborn, they're both clever. You're rooting for both. You roll your eyes at both. Who
is good or who is bad has no meaning here. Both of them are organic characters and you understand every action they take, even if perhaps you don't agree. That is a hard skill to put into paper but Archer does it expertly. Never sentimental, never over-explanatory, you're able to follow this story from start to finish in a sort of breathless waiting - what can possibly happen next?! It's impossible to predict.
3.5 stars Two baby boys born on the same day, one into wealth in America and one into poverty in Poland. The book outlines the story of both men's lives until they converge. This was a fast paced, easy reading experience that can almost be described as the male version of chick lit. There are feuds, power struggles politics and also some sexy sexy time in store for the main characters I found
the first half really strong, with a wonderful sense of history sewn into the story. I was all set to give Two baby boys born on the same day, one into wealth in America and one into poverty in Poland. The book outlines the story of both men's lives until they converge. This was a fast paced, easy reading experience that can almost be described as the male version of chick lit. There are feuds, power struggles politics and also
some sexy sexy time in store for the main characters I found the first half really strong, with a wonderful sense of history sewn into the story. I was all set to give this 4 stars. But the second half was a lot more cliché, full of implausible coincidences to keep the story going. I also found the 30 year feud between Able and William a little thin for my liking. I have never read any books by this author and can see why he has so many happy fans. He can clearly tell an
engrossing story and overall this was a very pleasant reading experience. Recommend holiday reading
An intensely played out, high-powered drama. A story of two very different men belonging to two different social classes, driven by their aspirations of success, wealth, power and a life-long feud based on inaccurate assumptions and misunderstandings. A fitting ending to boot.
3.5
Stars I should have read the book a decade ago when I was awestruck by authors like Alistair Maclean, Jules Verne, PG Wodehouse, etc. Reading the book now didn't create the same effect on me. The story format works better in a physical copy for me. Plodding through the ebook wasn't satisfying. I'm not a fan of generational family sagas. If I wasn't sure of this earlier, I am now. :/ The hatred or feud between Kane and Abel seemed to be based on a not-so-strong point, IMO.
It did seem a littl I should have read the book a decade ago when I was awestruck by authors like Alistair Maclean, Jules Verne, PG Wodehouse, etc. Reading the book now didn't create the same effect on me. The story format works better in a physical copy for me. Plodding through the ebook wasn't satisfying. I'm not a fan of generational family sagas. If I wasn't sure of this earlier, I am now. :/ The hatred or feud between Kane and Abel seemed to be based on a not-so-strong point, IMO. It did seem a little exaggerated, though people have killed each other for a lot less. Unlike the majority (based on what I gathered from the reviews I read), I'm not Team Abel. I was when the book began, but couldn't continue to root for him later on. Some incidents seemed coincidental and not so believable. It worked together in the end, so that's what matters more, I suppose. I got to learn more about WWI, a topic that seems to have fewer books dedicated to it. The writing style creates drama without dramatizing anything. Still, I won't be picking up the next books in the series. The blurbs don't attract me. I'll read the short stories anthologies before picking up another novel. The book was written in 1979, so I won't be comparing it with any other work. The contemporary ones came afterward. ...more
Read this many moons ago and remember really loving it. Don't know if it would hold up to my tastes of today. As I recall its the story of two brothers in the hotel business, one is successful and one isn't. d. d.
Classic novel by master storyteller Jeffery Archer. I have had this one on my to read list for a long time and not sure why it has taken me so long to get round to it. This is the story of William Lowell Kane, the son of a
Boston millionaire and Abel Rosnovski, a poor Polish immigrant who were born on the same day in two countries some distance apart who’s paths were destined to cross in the ruthless struggle to build their fortunes. The story spans a total of sixty years, telling of two men who w This is the story of William Lowell Kane, the son of a Boston millionaire and Abel Rosnovski, a poor Polish immigrant who were born on the same day in two countries some distance apart who’s paths were destined to cross in the ruthless struggle to build their fortunes. The story spans a total of sixty years, telling of two men who were linked by their desire for wealth and an all consuming hatred. They battle for the success and triumph that only one man can have. As you would
expect from Jeffery Archer, the story is well told and full of anticipation. I really enjoyed this book and wish I hadn’t of waited so long t read it.
Story of Kane and Abel spanning 60 years, one son of a millionaire and other a Polish immigrant.two men born on the same day but different sides of the world, their path destined to crossing the ruthless struggle to
build an empire. Jeffrey Howard Archer, Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare (born 15 April 1940) is an English author and former politician. He was a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party,
and became a life peer in 1992. His political career, having suffered several controversies, ended after a conviction for perverting the course of justice and his subsequent imprisonment. He is married He was a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, and became a life peer in 1992. His political
career, having suffered several controversies, ended after a conviction for perverting the course of justice and his subsequent imprisonment. He is married to Mary Archer, a scientist specialising in solar power. Outside politics, he is a novelist, playwright and short story writer. Wikipedia link http://us.macmillan.com/author/jeffre... Other books in the seriesRelated ArticlesOne of the great benefits of working here at Goodreads World Headquarters is a little pastime we call trendspotting. Spend enough time staring... “If you have to pay a bill, always make it look as if the amount is of no consequence.” — 28 likes More quotes…Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. |
