Helpful Score: 6
Follett is fantastic in A Dangerous Fortune. The author introduces us to a family business and a couple of corrupt characters. As the reader you not only get to see the inner workings of the Victorian era banking house known as Pilaster's but you also get to see the making of a man in Hugh Pilaster. The book is fun, fast paced and if your a Follett fan then you will like this one. If you have never read Follett before this is a good book to start with. Enjoy!
Helpful Score: 6
As always, Ken Follett books get me so engrossed I can do little else but read them. the characters are well developed and can be despised and loved. This is another long book, but you don't want it to finish, to me it reminded me of Pillars with the style of writing and the character devlopments and relationships, certainly a good book, read all 568 pages in two days, I just couldn't put it down!!!
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent historical fiction following an English banking family through almost 2 generations. A long read though....but worth it.
Helpful Score: 1
Follett is known for books that take its characters and the reader on a twisting, turning trip through time. This book is no exception. It tells of a dramatic period in world history, when women were just beginning to seek a better place in the world, when unions were forming to protect the workers and when banks were becoming the real power in a growing global economy. In England, however, these changes run into the existing class system, causing even larger conflicts, even among those in love. Weaving all of these together is Follett's tale of finance, greed, power and murder. This book simply cements Follett's place as a master storyteller.
Very good. A quick read that was less formulaic than I expected.
**** If you like Ken Follett's work, this will not disappoint. Somewhat of a departure from his more-common 20th century settings, the backdrop of this book is Victorian England. However, as usual, Follett has researched the milieu of the story, and the dark side of Victorian culture, with its stunting effects on the human psyche, really comes through.
Of all the Follett books I've read, this one impressed me the least. It was well written. It may have been cuz I didn't like the subject of the book. I don't know for sure. It's been a while since I read it. Some of his books, I've read a 2nd time. I have no interest in re-reading this one.
In 1866, tragedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student draws in a mysterious accident involving a small cicle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treaxhery that will span three decades and entwine many lives.
Good Mystery in 19th century London.
Another Follett masterpiece.
My first Ken Follet book. I enjoyed the historical fiction. Good story with vivid characters. I will be reading more from this author!
excellent read for those follett fans! characters well defined. couldn't get enough of it.
Good read. Interesting Characters. Lots of Drama!
Ken Follett is such a good writer. This one I read quickly because I couldn't put it down. All the characters feel so real and you have to remember it's just a book. I loved the time period it was written in also.
I listened to this book several times over the years. It's a great story. This is an abridged version, which means there is not really any foul language.
One of Ken Follett's very best. The NYTimes said this book is "Breathlessly plotted and relentlessly suspenseful"
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself rooting for the hero.
This will keep you reading. Fell asleep with it on my chest,LOL. Tried to read it all one night and accidently fell asleep. It is suspence filled and fast paced. A very good read!
Very interesting, engrossing saga. Recommended.
In 1866, tragedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student drowns in a mysterious accident involving a small circle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives...
Good historical novel. Well drawn villains.
good read overall
Good mystery-supense
A terrific thriller with historic details
The plot begins in 1866, ending in 1892, in England. The protagonists are a banking family, an influential banking family. The members are a mixture of good and just plain nasty, the years of the book cover a wide range of events within the family and in the world around them, and the hero makes his way among all these factors. Such a good read!
Perfectly good Follet yarn
Interesting plot development that covers three decades.
Ken Follett is such an engaging writer. The story pulled me in right away and I eagerly kept turning the pages to find out what would happen to this vast array of characters. Most of his books have a bit of "made for TV movie" about them but his plots and characters are so interesting I overlook that aspect. A very good read.
Super historical fiction from Follett.
1866, tragedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student drowns in a mysterious accident involving a small circle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives. This book is Follett at his best. English families with power, money, greed and murder at their core. The plot is fast-paced and easy to sink into until the very end. The characters are some you will love and some you will hate. They are realistic and believable. I'm looking forward to my next Follett book and highly recommend this to those who love historical fiction.
In 1866 tragedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student drowns in a mysterious accident involving a small circle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives.
In 1866 tradgedy strikes at the exclusive Windfield School. A young student drowns in a mysterious accident involving a small circle of boys. The drowning and its aftermath initiates a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives.
Breathlessly plotted...relentlessly suspenseful----The New York Times.
Breathlessly plotted...relentlessly suspenseful----The New York Times.
Another good Follett book. He is an author worth reading.
This was an enjoyable, well-researched book. Ken Follett's books are always interesting with excellent character development. I didn't realize this book was published in 1993 when I started listening to it, making it one of the earlier ones of Follett's I've listened to. He's a talented writer, always leaving the reader wanting a bit more.
"...tradgedy strikes exclusive Windield School. Student drowns...initiates circle of treachery..."
