suvata's review against another edition
4.0
In 1866, tragedy strikes the exclusive Windfield School when a young student drowns in a mysterious accident. His death and its aftermath initiate a spiraling circle of treachery that will span three decades and entwine many lives.
From the exclusive men’s clubs and brothels that cater to every dark desire of London’s upper class to the dazzling ballrooms and mahogany-paneled suites of the manipulators of the world’s wealth, one family is splintered by a shared legacy. But greed, fed by the shocking truth of a boy’s death, must be stopped, or the dreams of a nation will die.
From the exclusive men’s clubs and brothels that cater to every dark desire of London’s upper class to the dazzling ballrooms and mahogany-paneled suites of the manipulators of the world’s wealth, one family is splintered by a shared legacy. But greed, fed by the shocking truth of a boy’s death, must be stopped, or the dreams of a nation will die.
rajnudy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.5
bluebirdsongs's review against another edition
I read Pillars of the Earth in high school and loved it. I read the Century trilogy in my twenties and mostly enjoyed it.
Reading A Dangerous Fortune now in my early thirties, I could tell right away this book wasn't going to work for me. I have a big pet peeve when authors use 'was/were' too often instead of finding verbs that can do more heavy lifting. The characters also seemed, perhaps if not one-dimensional, then at least predictable.
Really just felt this is not a book for the kind of reader I now identify as.
Reading A Dangerous Fortune now in my early thirties, I could tell right away this book wasn't going to work for me. I have a big pet peeve when authors use 'was/were' too often instead of finding verbs that can do more heavy lifting. The characters also seemed, perhaps if not one-dimensional, then at least predictable.
Really just felt this is not a book for the kind of reader I now identify as.
lisalou1967's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
5.0
This book definitely follows the Follett-Formula.
Which I know some people are finding tired, but I still love it.
Its infuriating at times to watch the "good guy" get beaten down over and over again, while the villains continue to prosper, and of course I know the tables will eventually turn, but I'm still not tired of it.
Which I can only assume is a testament to Folletts writing, and story telling.
Which I know some people are finding tired, but I still love it.
Its infuriating at times to watch the "good guy" get beaten down over and over again, while the villains continue to prosper, and of course I know the tables will eventually turn, but I'm still not tired of it.
Which I can only assume is a testament to Folletts writing, and story telling.
jesteralexa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ornery_librarian's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
vaniaasantos's review against another edition
4.0
Demorei um pouco mais a ficar mais engatada na história, mas com o desenvolvimento desta, dei por mim a ficar completamente rendida na história.
As voltas e reviravoltas da história, as intrigas que Ken Follet consegue escrever bem, deixou-me presa ao livro o máximo de tempo possível e demorar a pousar o livro.
Se estão habitados e gostam da escrita e histórias criadas por Ken Follet, têm aqui mais um bom exemplar.
As voltas e reviravoltas da história, as intrigas que Ken Follet consegue escrever bem, deixou-me presa ao livro o máximo de tempo possível e demorar a pousar o livro.
Se estão habitados e gostam da escrita e histórias criadas por Ken Follet, têm aqui mais um bom exemplar.
lorainford's review against another edition
4.0
On very few occasions have I literally sat on the edge of my seat while immersed in a novel, however, this cliche accurately illustrates my reaction to A Dangerous Fortune. This novel was my first introduction to Ken Follett and did not disappoint. Follett depicts the lifelong journey of three upper class, privileged men living in elite society England during the nineteenth century. This is a story about greed, power, survival, and what characteristics are required to satisfy all three. I was captivated by complex characters and an even more complicated dramatic circumstance. I notice that many are critiquing the way in which women are portrayed in this novel but I found that male characters were portrayed in similar ways, creating a necessary and forgiving balance. For example, while there was a vindictive female lead, there was also a vindictive male lead. While there was a simple female lead, there was also a similar male lead. I interpreted these characteristics to be less typically sexist and more as a tool to illustrate the type of individual they were in order to push the plot in its envisioned direction.
dvdpcp's review against another edition
4.0
Good! Not as good as pillars of the earth and world without end and the first one of the century trilogy but better than whiteout. I can see he’s getting a feel for how to follow people and how bad to make them and how to make us like /root for certain characters. A little sloppy with Albert cammel, what was his purpose? So they could worry about him once? Glad i got this from the thrift store!! Entertaining and engrossing