A Dangerous Fortune
by Ken Follett
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Book Reviews of A Dangerous Fortune
Book Review: A captivating, historical novel
Summary: 4 Stars
This book captivated me from the beginning and I loved every minute of it. The only negative I had about this book was the ending. I guess I expected some sort of surprise but was disappointed when the book ended logically. But now I realize what Follet did with this novel. Maybe if he wrote the same story now he would add a twist because those are popular now. But he didn't and I still loved this book.Dangerous Fortune tells the story of the Pilaster Bank and its fall. Most of the characters seem to be stereotypes, forced into a role by their position in society. But I soon realized that was how real life was in 19th century London. Your roll in life was largely determined by your ancestors, your profession, or your title.
All characters acted like they were expected to, the loyal wives, the respected businessmen, the sons who were the heirs, but Follet shows us how they got around being respectful by gambling, visiting brothels, and lying and stealing. This book is full of intrigue and lust and greed. I liked that but I also enjoyed the educational aspect of what life was like for the upper class of England long ago. I assume Follet knows what he is talking about.
I recommend this book!
Book Review: Follett hits the bull's-eye on an age-old issue
Summary: 5 Stars
Money has always corrupted those who give mind to it. It's appalling how paper, nickel, copper and other materials have manipulated actions, decisions and, lamentably, families. Money is a god.
Ken Follett has spun a web of corruption, conspiracy, murder and lies. A Dangerous Fortune is the tale of the Pilasters - a family so immersed in their fortune that paternal love has no accommodations. The trust of sons and daughters, husbands and wives, uncles and best friends is betrayed - shoved to second place. Everything is placed on a thin line for one purpose only: money.
The characters are fleshed out to their fullest capacity. The dialogue is belivable. When Hugh Pilaster, in his prime as a banker, gathers the immediate family to announce a catastrophical situation, one can't help but feel in the middle of the scene. The spotlight is shining bright, and it's pointing directly at you.
The story leaves your mind searching for answers, answers that not even 500+ pages could answer. Life is full of questions and A Dangerous Fortune will leave you questioning your impulses and inclinations, your greed and generosity, your loyalty and your love.
Book Review: My Favorite book... for a week.
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book three weeks ago. I have since just finished reading "The pillars of the earth".I might someday be able to look back on the past few weeks as the best weeks of my life as far as reading goes.
The book was by far the best book, and story i had ever read, and i was convinced that it would be the best i would ever read. But then i picked up "The Pillars of the Earth"... I almost wish i read a crappy book after "ADF" because i didn't have enough time to really enjoy the "thought" of the book in my head before "Pillars" came along and stole the show...
I truly would compare the experience of reading these books in that order to the following:
Watching a U2 Concert, followed the next day by a Frank Sinatra Concert (BOTH LIVE OF COURSE).
The story is totaly believable. The time period is interesting, the financial part of the story, (specially relating to the times) takes you for a ride.
The people in it, good and bad, are totaly dynamic, and it doesn't matter who it is, theres a character for everybody! Everybody i know has a different "favorite character" from this book.
I'm gonna stop right there, because i can't really describe how good it was.
Book Review: Great entertainment (no more, but no less either..)
Summary: 4 Stars
Ken Follett has always been a favourite of mine. As other 'bestseller writers' he has a cash-proven ability to spin together plots that make you stay up much longer than you ought to. This offering proves that this skill is still with him. However this book is a bit of a soap opera. An entertaing one, but still. I miss Follett's normal 'added value' in comparison with the likes of Ludlum an Wilbur Smith, namely the ability to people his books with people rather than cartoon figures. The plot and the scenes are all a bit too predictable, the main characters too one-dimensional.
If you are on the lookout for a book that will leave you with a pensive smile and new insights, give this one a pass. If, however, you are looking for an entertaining and well-crafted saga to keep you company on a plane ride or in your bed, this is a good choice. And don't be put off by the 'smut' warning above. Follett is a romantic at heart and while intimate scenes abound, they are well written and there for a purpose.
But Mr Ken, please play it a little less safe next time around.
Book Review: A Safe Bet.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is not Ken Follett's best work, but that still makes it twice as good as most fiction. Follett introduces us to the world of English finance in the late 1800s. The rich period detail and somewhat dry subject matter tend to make this a plodding tale a times, but well worth the effort.The story opens with the mysterious drowning death of a student at a boy's school. Was it murder? This questions hangs for decades as Follett wends his way through the Victorian upper crust and its seedy underbelly, and ultimately--as you know it must--the answer has tremendous and exciting implications for the dueling families we've come to know.
Follett's ability to present a large cast of fully-fleshed and complex characters, who follow motivations that take hundreds of pages to define, is unparalleled. Never in his books do you have to say to yourself, "Oh yeah, right."
The scope of the novel is impressive. I call it sophisticated fiction. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.