Epic and thoroughly satisfying

This story is truly epic and thoroughly satisfying in every sense. It unfolds in the best possible way, taking its time to build a rich and immersive world. The length of the narrative allows for a deep exploration of the plot and characters, making it a truly engaging read.

Long in the best way, the story doesn't rush through any of the important moments. Instead, it carefully crafts each scene, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The pacing is perfect, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

Characters fleshed out so even a person you came to see as evil held your sympathy at times. The author has done an excellent job of creating complex and multi-dimensional characters. Each character has their own motives, desires, and flaws, making them feel real and relatable. Even the villains have their own backstories and reasons for doing what they do, which makes it easy to understand their actions and even feel some sympathy for them at times. Overall, this is a masterful work of fiction that is sure to please any reader.

Susan Howatch never fails to deliver.

The themes explored in her work, such as success, power, family, communication, and patriotism, span across the decades from the 1930s to the 1960s, making it an incredibly satisfying read.

While there were several characters that I didn't particularly like, Ms. Howatch has the remarkable ability to draw the reader into their world and, to a large extent, their minds.

She creates a vivid and engaging narrative that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

The depth and complexity of her characters and the historical context in which the story is set add an extra layer of richness to the plot.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book and this talented author to anyone looking for a captivating and thought-provoking read.

Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or simply enjoy a well-written story, Susan Howatch's work is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Give it a try and you won't be disappointed.

This is just not keeping my interest at all.

Sam is extremely boring, boring, boring. I can't even bring myself to finish listening to his narrative.

Perhaps it's because the post WWII era doesn't hold much appeal for me. *shrugs*

Moving on, as life is simply too short to waste on things that don't interest us.

We should focus on the activities and experiences that truly engage our hearts and minds.

There are so many other fascinating aspects of life waiting to be explored and discovered.

Rather than getting stuck on something that bores us, we should be brave enough to move forward and seek out new and exciting opportunities.

After all, life is a precious gift, and we should make the most of every moment.

Brownell Library Sale

On May 28th, 2011, the Brownell Library held a sale. It was a great event that attracted many people. The library had a wide variety of items for sale, including books, DVDs, CDs, and more. There were also some rare and collectible items available. People were excited to browse through the selection and find some great deals. The sale was a great opportunity for the library to raise funds and for the community to come together. It was a fun and successful event that everyone enjoyed.

Many people left the sale with bags full of items they had purchased. They were happy to have found some great books and other items at a reasonable price. The library staff was also pleased with the turnout and the amount of money that was raised. They plan to use the funds to improve the library and offer more services to the community.

The Brownell Library Sale on May 28th, 2011 was a great success and will surely be remembered by all who attended.

This novel, along with its predecessor titled "The Rich Are Different," was filled with over-the-top drama, intense conflict, back-stabbing, and dysfunction. However, despite all these elements, it was extremely entertaining.

The narrator did an excellent job of giving each character their own distinct voice, which added to the overall charm and authenticity of the story.

Nevertheless, there was one minor drawback. The audio was transferred from an earlier format, and as a result, there were several mentions about CDs and cassettes. This might seem a bit out of place in today's digital age, but it didn't significantly detract from the enjoyment of the listening experience.

Overall, this novel and its predecessor offered a thrilling and engaging ride, with well-developed characters and a captivating storyline. The narrator's performance further enhanced the quality of the audio, making it a great choice for those who enjoy drama and entertainment.

Despite the slight issue with the audio format, it's still a worthwhile listen that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Meh...

This simple expression seems to convey a sense of indifference or mild dissatisfaction. It's a word that can be used in various situations, perhaps when we're not overly impressed with something or when we don't have a strong opinion one way or the other.

For example, if someone asks us how we liked a movie, and we thought it was just okay, we might respond with a "meh." It's a way to express our lack of enthusiasm without being too negative.

However, "meh" can also have a more positive connotation. Sometimes, it can be used to show a sense of acceptance or resignation. For instance, if we're faced with a situation that we can't change, we might say "meh" and just move on.

In conclusion, "meh" is a versatile word that can convey different emotions depending on the context. It's a word that has become quite popular in recent years, especially in online communication. Whether we use it to express our indifference or our acceptance, "meh" is a word that can add a touch of casualness and authenticity to our conversations.

The sequel to 'The Rich are Different' is set ten years later. It is written from multiple perspectives, which effectively develops the various plots. However, it mainly centers around Cornelius, the head of a bank.

The book is very well-written. Even though I have little interest in high finance, I was still engaged. Although the ending is rather bleak, I think it is probably right.

Nearly nine years later, upon re-reading, I found it gripping once more. Surprisingly, I still enjoyed it despite the business/banking theme. I had completely forgotten the climax of the book, which once again made me sad. But the conclusion was undoubtedly correct. What an incredibly despicable person Cornelius Van Zale is.

This book is best read after 'The Rich are Different'. It provides a deeper exploration of the characters and themes, and offers a thought-provoking look at the world of high finance and the people who inhabit it.

I was thoroughly entertained by this book.

The plot was engaging, filled with sufficient twists that constantly held my attention. Some of these twists were truly unexpected, adding an extra layer of excitement to the story.

I also really enjoyed the varying character perspectives. It allowed me to see the events from different angles and get a more in-depth understanding of the characters.

I happened to read this book (Van Zale #2) before the first novel, The Rich are Different. However, I had no major difficulties in figuring out the plot and characters. Nevertheless, I do think it would have been easier if I had started with the first book.

Overall, it was a great read that I would highly recommend to others.

Generally, the article is readable and well-crafted.

At the outset, one can understand that it is a family saga. However, it drags on and on with excessive detail and description in many places, especially when it comes to the physical surroundings.

Then, in comparison to the rest of the book, the end seems rushed. The machinations of the family members are worthy of the finest soap opera.

The trappings of the characters are fairly believable considering they are all from an extremely rich banking family ranging from the 30s to the 60s. But their behavior toward each other is a stretch.

The marital problems of Cornelius and Alicia early in the book are discussed ad nauseum. Some of the more esoteric bits and the references to various poetry and literature will only resonate with the very literate.

I wanted to know how all the sub-plots came together in the end, so I finished it. But it was very disheartening to keep turning pages and feel as if I was no further along. I was mentally screaming 'get on with it' at numerous points in the story.

I really enjoyed the first three-fourths of the book. It had me completely engaged and interested in the story. The characters were well-developed, and the plot was moving along at a good pace.

However, towards the end, it started to feel a bit too drawn out. The story seemed to be dragging on, and I found myself losing some of my enthusiasm.

Despite this, I still think the book had its merits. The author did a good job of creating a vivid world and making the reader care about the characters.

In the end, I decided to rate the book 3 stars. It was a good read overall, but the pacing issues towards the end prevented it from being a truly great book.

I would still recommend it to others, especially if they are fans of the genre. But I would also warn them that they might need to be patient towards the end.

Not as engaging as the previous Van Zale novel, "The Rich Are Different", this book left me with a sense of disappointment.

The characters, to start with, began to wear on me. They didn't have the same charm and depth as those in the previous installment. Eventually, they seemed to just disappear from the story, leaving me feeling rather unfulfilled.

Sometimes Howatch can be rather dark and gloomy, and this was no exception. The overall tone of the book was rather somber, which didn't do much to enhance my reading experience. And the ending! Oh, the ending. I wasn't as thrilled by it as I was in "The Rich Are Different". That one had a powerful and impactful ending that left me on the edge of my seat. This one, on the other hand, just petered out at the end. It felt like a let-down after all the build-up.

Even the idea of history repeating itself, which was a central theme in this book, didn't manage to hold my interest. It just seemed rather tired and overdone. In conclusion, I would recommend reading "The Rich Are Different" and forgetting this lukewarm follow-through.

I really liked it a lot.

However, it didn't quite reach the level of the first one for me.

But then again, who ever truly likes a sequel or a follow-up as much as the original?

Nevertheless, it was still a compelling read that held my attention from start to finish.

The story had its own unique charm and the characters were well-developed.

Even though it might not have had the same impact as the first, it was still a worthy addition to the series.

I would definitely recommend it to others who enjoy this genre.

Overall, I was satisfied with my reading experience and look forward to seeing what else the author has in store.