This is an oldie but goodie.

It's truly a real old fashioned multigenerational saga that has the power to captivate and engage.

The story weaves through the lives of different generations,展现ing the joys, sorrows, and challenges that they face.

If you are seeking a great fun distraction from the daily grind, I highly recommend delving into this captivating tale.

It will transport you to another time and place, allowing you to lose yourself in the rich and detailed world that has been created.

Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or simply enjoy a well-written story, this multigenerational saga is sure to please.

So sit back, relax, and prepare to be entertained by this wonderful piece of literature.

This is truly an outstanding story that delves deep into the world of investment bankers, exploring themes of wealth, power, and greed.

It was penned in the 1970s, with its setting firmly rooted in the 1920s - 40s.

Surprisingly, despite the passage of time, many aspects of this story remain eerily relevant today.

The characters in the story are complex and multi-faceted, each driven by their own desires and ambitions.

The pursuit of wealth and power often leads them down a path of moral ambiguity and greed.

As the story unfolds, we witness the lengths to which these investment bankers will go to achieve their goals.

It serves as a cautionary tale,提醒我们财富和权力的诱惑可能会让人失去自我。

Overall, this story is a captivating read that offers valuable insights into the human condition and the world of finance.

I am a huge enthusiast of Susan Howatch and have a deep affection for the Starbridge series. However, this particular book within the series left me completely unimpressed.

I discovered that I was unable to develop any liking or establish any connection with any of the main characters. The elaborate plots involving big business and stock exchange conspiracies, to be honest, left me rather confused.

It is an extremely long book, and I have not yet completed it. So, perhaps I am passing judgment without seeing the whole picture. But truth be told, I simply got bored with it.

I had such high expectations, given my love for the author and the series, but unfortunately, this one just didn't click with me. Maybe if I were to persevere and finish it, my perspective might change, but for now, it has left me feeling rather disappointed.

Good read!

I am so glad I picked it up.

This article is truly a gem. From the very first sentence, it had me hooked. The writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to read. The content is both informative and interesting, covering a wide range of topics.

As I delved deeper into the article, I found myself learning new things and gaining a fresh perspective on various issues. It made me think and reflect, which is something I always appreciate in a good read.

I would highly recommend this article to anyone looking for an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. It is definitely worth your time and attention.

Smug and insufferable. These words truly describe the person who would ask such a demeaning and inappropriate question as "Find out if she's a virgin."

Such a statement reflects a narrow-minded and disrespectful attitude towards women. It reduces a person's worth and value to a single aspect of their sexual history, which is both unfair and unjust.

Virginity is a personal and private matter that should not be the subject of such prying and judgment. We should respect the autonomy and individuality of every person, regardless of their sexual experience.

Asking such a question not only shows a lack of respect for the woman in question but also reveals the immaturity and shallowness of the person asking. It is time to move beyond such archaic and sexist观念 and embrace a more inclusive and respectful attitude towards others.

I didn't like the characters or their morals.

The story presented characters who failed to resonate with me on any level. Their actions and behaviors were often questionable, and their moral compasses seemed to be misaligned.

Some of the characters were overly self-centered, only concerned with their own利益 and desires. They showed little regard for the feelings or well-being of others.

Others had a lack of integrity, making decisions that were ethically dubious. Their actions left me feeling disappointed and frustrated.

Their morals, or lack thereof, made it difficult for me to become invested in the story or care about what happened to the characters.

Overall, the characters and their morals were a major drawback for me, detracting from my enjoyment of the article.

Great writing style is truly a remarkable thing. It has the power to transport readers into a different world, to make them feel emotions they never thought possible, and to keep them engaged from the very first sentence until the very last.

A great tale, on the other hand, is the heart and soul of any piece of writing. It is the story that weaves its way through the words, captivating our attention and making us eager to find out what happens next.

When a great writing style combines with a great tale, the result is nothing short of magical. The words seem to dance on the page, painting vivid pictures in our minds and pulling us deeper and deeper into the story.

Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking mystery, a great story told with a great writing style has the ability to touch our lives and leave a lasting impression. It is a work of art that we can return to again and again, always finding something new and wonderful to discover.

So the next time you pick up a book or read an article, take a moment to appreciate the great writing style and the great tale that it contains. You may just find yourself lost in a world of words that you never want to leave.

**Title: An Enjoyable Read**

Reading is a wonderful activity that can transport us to different worlds, introduce us to new ideas, and evoke a wide range of emotions. An enjoyable read is like a precious gem that we cherish and want to share with others.

It could be a thrilling mystery that keeps us on the edge of our seats, trying to solve the puzzle before the end. Or perhaps a heartwarming romance that makes us believe in the power of love. Maybe it's a thought-provoking non-fiction book that expands our knowledge and makes us look at the world from a different perspective.

An enjoyable read has the ability to engage our minds, capture our imaginations, and provide us with a much-needed escape from the daily grind. It can be a source of entertainment, inspiration, and relaxation all at the same time. So, the next time you pick up a book, make sure it's an enjoyable read that will leave you with a smile on your face and a newfound appreciation for the written word.

In my recent reread of my collection of Susan Howatch's works, I was reminded of some interesting facts. Years ago, when I first read these books, I had no inkling that they were based on historical characters. For example, "Penmarric" was inspired by Henry II, and "Cashelmara" was about Edward I and II. It wasn't until a few days ago, when I read some reviews, that I discovered that this particular book was based on Caesar and Cleopatra. I only have a basic understanding of that historical story, so I might have had more difficulty making the connections. However, whether or not one is familiar with the historical connections, these books offer great escapist entertainment. They transport the reader to another time and place, allowing them to forget about their own worries and immerse themselves in the fictional world created by Howatch. It's a wonderful way to unwind and lose oneself in a good story.

A truly outstanding novel!

It presents a thrilling account of big business, the cutthroat world of Wall Street, intense power struggles, and deeply ingrained affairs.

The unique narrative style, with each character telling the story from their own perspective, adds an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the reading experience.

It allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the minds and motives of each individual, making it an excellent way to engage with a novel of this nature.

I am absolutely captivated by this book and cannot contain my excitement for the sequel. I will be first in line to purchase it as soon as it becomes available.

The author has done an amazing job of creating a vivid and engaging world that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a gripping and thought-provoking read.

I had previously read The Absolute Truth, so with these complex characters, it felt like I was going backwards in time.

I truly enjoyed Howatch's remarkable character development. Each character was crafted with such depth and nuance that they seemed to come alive on the page.

Additionally, some of the plot twists were truly unexpected and added an extra layer of excitement to the story. It was as if Howatch was constantly keeping me on my toes, never quite sure what was going to happen next.

The saying "The mills of the gods grind slowly" definitely came to mind as I read. The story unfolded at its own pace, building tension and drama gradually.

Overall, it was a captivating read that left me eager to explore more of Howatch's work.

This is a captivating family saga, similar to those by Irwin Shaw and Barbara Taylor Bradford. It's astonishing that it wasn't adapted for television. Based on the lives of Julius Caesar and Augustus, Howatch relocates the action to New York, London, and the Norfolk countryside.

Set in the 1920s, Dinah Slade, an impoverished aristocrat, is determined to save her ancestral home in Norfolk, England. She has the intelligence and courage to launch a cosmetics company for the upper classes. At that time, women's access to cosmetics was limited, but chemical advancements and the changing social attitudes after WWI created a market gap that Dinah is well-placed to fill. She just requires investment capital. Enter Paul van Zale, a Wall Street financier in England to strengthen his firm's London office. Despite their age difference, they embark on an affair and a business venture. Bonded by their love for the classics, they fall in love. However, Paul's New York empire calls him back, leaving him to return to his wife and proteges. This begins a story that spans twenty years, including the 1929 Wall Street crash and the rise of fascist Germany. Paul's return doesn't end his connection with the enchanting Dinah.

The story is divided into six parts, with each part narrated in the first person by a different character, except for Dinah, who has two sections. Perhaps I would have appreciated the novel more if I knew less about Caesar's life. Maybe I missed the theological and philosophical musings present in her other works like Starbridge and Saint Bennet's books.