An Absolute Scandal: A Novel
by Penny Vincenzi
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Book Reviews of An Absolute Scandal: A Novel
Book Review: How to make a real tale of woe mundane
Summary: 1 Stars
A BUCKETFUL OF TEARS alias AN ABSOLUTE SCANDAL
Penny Vincenzi, whether born with or self taught, has the enviable ability of writing a page turner. To maintain that ability through 756 pages is something of a miracle even if her tabloid journalistic writing style is irritating from cover to cover.
Considering that there is virtually no story in this book the narrative, which is substantially dialogue, attempts to describe the human emotions and passions caused by the Lloyd's of London disaster of the late 1980s.
Using a variety of supposed social stereotypes with the common bond of being financially able to be members of the venerable Lloyd's insurance market, Vincenzi introduces the reader to a chinless wonder, a market trader, a merchant banker, a Bohemian country widow, a retired piano teacher and many more. In fact so many more that she requires an introductory glossary to identify them. Each has a tale to tell about their introduction to Lloyd's and the consequent affect on their life in the 1980s when the balloon went up with horrific spiralling asbestosis claims. Suicide and bankruptcies loom large in the lives of this disparate group and there is scarcely a page on which a description of tears and crying from both the sexes doesn't threaten to blur the print
The author's research into the workings of Lloyd's is good, but strictly limited. As a character study this crazily over-lengthy novel has some merit, but as a story it has nothing whatever to offer - it scarcely has a beginning and certainly not an ending. `An Absolute Scandal' is not alone in its choice of a Lloyd's background to a novel. Another with a really cracking story, revealing knowledge of Lloyd's from a plainly primary source is `Forgotten Diamond' by joint authors Charles Ranald & John Sorrell.
As a holiday read `An Absolute Scandal' has one major problem. At 756 pages weighing a fraction under 3lb it makes an invitation to airline excess baggage charge.
Book Review: Scandalous!
Summary: 4 Stars
This novel is a big one both physically and in subject matter. It concerns the financial scandal of Lloyd's of London and the personal scandals that arise in its wake among the Names involved. It is clear that the author has done much research on the situation that occurred and was well informed of the facts. It is hard to believe that the arrangement that led the characters into so much trouble actually existed in real life!
There is a wide cast of characters that at first seems overwhelming and hard to keep them all straight. Halfway through the novel I was familiar and involved with all of them since each one is written thoughtfully and has their own shortcomings and good points. They were very believable and I felt for most of their situations. The only reason I didn't give five stars is that I felt some of their stories could have been gone into in less depth, such as Lucinda and Blue, but of course that is my own personal taste and that story may be other people's favorite in the book.
This was my first Penny Vincenzi book and I intend to read more of her work! I loved this book and am a little sad it's over.
Book Review: AN ABSOLUTE SCANDAL
Summary: 4 Stars
I DON'T WANT TO WRITE A "REVIEW"..I JUST WANTED TO STATE THAT, EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT NEW TO AMAZON, IT TOOK ME A WHILE(IN FACT, A VERY LONG WHILE) TO ORDER ANY THING ON LINE. I WAS VERY APPREHENSIVE ..YOU KNOW CREDIT CARD AND INDENTITY THEFT, ETC, ETC !! I WAS REASSURED, BY PEOPLE I TRUST THAT AMZAON WAS SAFE AND SECURE. SO FAR, SO GOOD. THE BOOKS I'VE ORDERED HAVE ARRIVED IN A MOST TIMELY MANNER. THE ARE ALWAYS CLEAN AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ISSUE'S WITH CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS. THANK YOU AMAZON...IT HAS BEEN A MOST PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. OH BY THE WAY, SEE MY "REVIEW" FOR SHEER ABANDON. I LOVE THIS AUTHOR. SHE AND ROSAMUNDE PILCHER COULD TEACH COURSES IN HOW TO WRITE.Book Review: NOT ONE OF PENNY'S BEST
Summary: 3 Stars
Confusing story with too many names that were alike: Flora, Florian, Felicity, Fallon, etc. I had to print out the Characters from the front of the book and refer to them, as well as look back into the book. Also confusing was the law suit involved in the story, which was never resolved or mentioned at the end of the book, leading me to wonder if there was a possible follow-up? I read all of Ms. Vincenzi's books and rated them Excellent, but couldn't on this one. If you had to ask me today what the book was about, I wouldn't remember.
I highly recommend all of Penny Vincenzi's books, but this book left me disappointed.
Book Review: Always Entertaining
Summary: 5 Stars
I adore Penny Vincenzi books, and ABSOLUTE SCANDAL was no exception. With Vincenzi you know you are going to get a big book filled with fascinating characters, complicated plot lines, lush settings, lots of sex and scandal, gorgeous homes and clothes and jewels, and intricate family relationships. After reading my first Vincenzi, I promptly went about finding and ordering all the rest of her books. I've now read about ten of them, but I'm saving the final few. Every few weeks I plan to reward myself with one of them. I just wish she could write faster! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.