I had completely forgotten just how utterly good Ms Howatch is. Her writing is truly unputdownable! Once I pick up one of her books, I find myself completely engrossed and unable to put it down until I've reached the very end. The way she weaves her stories, creates vivid characters, and builds complex plots is simply masterful. Each page is filled with excitement, drama, and emotion that keeps me on the edge of my seat. Whether it's a historical romance, a psychological thriller, or a literary masterpiece, Ms Howatch always delivers. I am so glad to have rediscovered her work and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Quite a read indeed! I found myself completely enthralled by the well-developed characters of Paul, Dinah, Steve, and Cornelius. Each of them had their own unique personalities and backstories that made them come alive on the pages. It was truly a pleasure to get to know them as the story unfolded.
However, I must admit that some of the plots were a little bit contrived. They seemed a bit forced at times and didn't always flow as smoothly as I would have liked. But, on the other hand, I understand that this book was drawn on a large scale and perhaps these contrived plots were necessary to fit all the elements together.
The title, unfortunately, does not suit the tale. It doesn't really give any indication of what the story is about and may even mislead potential readers. I think a different title would have been more appropriate and would have better captured the essence of the book.