I am in absolute awe of Susan Howatch. This novel was an incredibly pleasant surprise for me.

I purchased a tattered copy of this novel (an old one from the 70s with a rather misleading cover) at a charity sale. After it had been sitting in my library for a couple of years, I decided to give it a try, expecting it to be a typical romance novel. However, I was completely wrong.

I fell in love with it from the very beginning. So pleased was I with the book that I conducted a little research about it and discovered that it was a "modern" retelling of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Mark Anthony, and Octavius, set in the roaring twenties in New York and England.

What I most admire about Howatch is her remarkable skill in making such unlikable characters sympathetic. We may not agree with their choices or opinions, but nevertheless, we care deeply about them and what will happen to them. (Though I must admit that I had to make an effort with Stephen as I think he was the least likable character in a novel full of rather unpleasant people.)

Everything in this novel is a delight to savor. The descriptions and dialogues are truly authentic. Despite the fact that this novel has 700 pages, it flows fluidly. It was indeed riveting, making me read at least 100 pages each day.

Now you can count me as a devoted Susan Howatch fan, as I fully intend to read her other novels as well.

If you're seeking an escape from the real world, longing for the juiciest and most delicious soap opera plot, then this book is precisely what you need.

If a novel had the ability to adorn jewelry, this one would be dripping in diamonds, dahling!

Written by Susan Howatch, it unfolds the story of the Van Zale family dynasty of investment bankers, their wives, and their numerous mistresses. Among them, there is one who holds the power to bring the entire empire crashing down.

The novel, spanning over two decades, commences in the roaring '20s when the stock market seemed to ascend infinitely, booze was abundant for those in the know with the right bootlegger, and (at least within this crowd) marriage vows were effortlessly cast aside when someone more captivating and alluring emerged.

The book is structured in six chapters, each narrated in the first person by one of the major characters. It begins with Paul Van Zale, the patriarch who constructed his own investment banking empire. Paul harbors a deep, dark secret known only to a select few - a secret he fears could forever shatter him.

We also encounter Paul's favorite mistress, the 20-something British businesswoman Dinah Slade, who charms men, eschews marriage, and aspires to build her own business empire. Other prominent characters include Paul's wife Sylvia Van Zale, his business partner Steve Sullivan, and his nephew and heir Cornelius Van Zale.

Similar to many of Howatch's novels, this one is (very) loosely based on an ancient story. In this instance, it mirrors the life of Cleopatra (Dinah Slade), her love affairs with Julius Caesar (Paul Van Zale) and Mark Antony (Steve Sullivan), and the final showdown with Caesar's great-nephew Octavian (Cornelius Van Zale).

This is a novel where money can seemingly buy anything, yet it also features dangerous gangsters, cold-blooded murder, malicious and convoluted revenge plots, nefarious cover-ups, and financial chicanery. And, of course, there is sex. Plenty of it. It's an absolute delight! Although it is overly sentimental and syrupy in several parts (hence the four-star rating instead of five), it remains an escapist pleasure.

The book is a hefty 800 pages long, but it reads relatively quickly and easily, much like devouring a soap opera. And just like a great soap opera, it concludes with a cliffhanger, enticing eager readers to pick up the sequel, "The Sins of the Fathers."

Bonus: There are a plethora of fascinating historical facts about the 1920s and 1930s - ranging from sociology to banking law - presented in a palatable manner, like a pill hidden within a spoonful of sugar.

I read this book in my twenties.

It was around the time when dinosaurs seemed to roam the earth in my imagination.

The book was a fascinating fantasy version of the rich and famous.

It took me on a journey to a world where the lives of the wealthy and renowned were filled with magical and extraordinary events.

I was completely engrossed in the story, as it painted a vivid picture of a glamorous lifestyle that was both enchanting and slightly out of reach.

The characters in the book were larger than life, with their own unique personalities and quirks.

As I turned the pages, I couldn't help but be drawn into their world, experiencing their joys and sorrows along with them.

This book truly had a profound impact on me during that stage of my life.

Once again, Susan Howatch has masterfully rewritten history!

The Rich are Different is a captivating novel that mirrors the lives of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Mark Antony. Set in the 1920s banking industry, it unfolds the tumultuous love triangle between Dinah (a modern Cleopatra), Paul (Caesar), and Steve (Antony).

Dinah, on a desperate quest to save her English home, embarks on an affair with the illustrious Paul Van Zale. The story then progresses, with Dinah and her unwavering ambition always at the forefront. However, by the end of the story, the scheming Dinah encounters her equal in Paul's heir, Cornelius (Octavius).

Initially, I didn't anticipate enjoying this novel as much as I did. I wasn't particularly fond of the Wall Street setting. But as a passionate fan of Roman and Egyptian history, the story more than made up for the setting. Howatch has perfectly captured the magnetism of Caesar in the character of Paul. Even when he is no longer the central focus, he still plays a significant role in the novel.

Overall, it is an extremely cleverly written novel. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading the sequel, Sins of the Fathers.

Borrowed, in a state of desperation, from a campsite, this book was the kind that I would have adored as a pre-teen.

I had hoped to learn about Life from it. However, now, of course, I can clearly see how shallow it is.

It heavily depends on stereotypes and clichés.

Sure, it passed the time, but it did so in an irritating way.

The characters were one-dimensional, and the plot was predictable.

There was no depth or complexity to it.

It seems that what once appealed to my younger self now just feels like a waste of time.

But perhaps that's the nature of growing up and realizing that not everything that seems interesting at first glance is truly worthwhile.

Nevertheless, it did serve as a reminder of my younger days and the kind of books that I used to be drawn to.

And for that, I guess I can be a little bit grateful.

I have been an avid reader of Susan Howatch's books ever since she embarked on her writing journey. I was under the impression that I had devoured every single one of her works. However, then I discovered "The Rich Are Different". I purchased this book on Kindle and was immediately hooked. I simply couldn't put it down.

I have always had a deep affection for her books, and this one is no exception. Once I started reading it, I despised having to attend to anything else other than indulging in its pages. No one has the ability to tell a story quite like Susan Howatch can.

Now, I will have to thoroughly check if I missed any of her other wonderful books. I sure hope so, because I can't get enough of her captivating storytelling. I can't wait to explore more of her literary masterpieces and lose myself in the enchanting worlds she creates.

I'm truly disappointed. This cover initially caught my attention several years ago, and I promptly added it to my wishlist as I was so strongly drawn to it (yes, I admit I can be a bit shallow). Finally, I got it on my Kindle, but it just sat there gathering dust until I eventually decided to open it up. I had no real idea what it was about, other than it had something to do with wealthy people and the Wall Street crash of the 1920s. That seemed good enough for me at the time.

The first chapter held some promise. However, by the end of the second chapter, it was all over for me.

I can't even recall the names of these characters, but let's just call him 'Rich Guy' and her 'Little Girl'. Ugh, he was God knows how old, yet he kept going on about his 'front hair', whatever that was supposed to mean (although I do know it was on his head, o_0). And she was only 21. He was a rich American banker, and she was a rather stupid English girl who needed to borrow money to save her estate in the countryside.

The very first thing he wants to know about her when he discovers she wants to meet with him is, "Is she a virgin?"

Well, as it turns out, she was, until he combed his front hair and took a mere 40 seconds to change that. Ack! Whatever. I just couldn't continue.

I've just learned that it was written in 1983 and was probably considered quite racy back then, but now... it just seems lame.

Many people seemingly like it, but it's simply not for me.

I don't, won't, and can't force myself to read books that I'm not enjoying, hoping that they might improve a little. If I'm not loving it from the start, then it's history.

DNF.

This book is a bit dated,

harking back to the era of long epic novels.

It was rather too wordy, with an abundance of descriptions and details that sometimes felt overwhelming.

Yet, despite its flaws, I found myself compelled to keep reading for a whopping 658 pages.

The story line, which delved into the power and ambition on Wall Street during the 1920s-30s, was just enticing enough to hold my attention and keep me going.

It painted a vivid picture of a world filled with greed, corruption, and cutthroat competition, where fortunes were made and lost in the blink of an eye.

As I turned each page, I couldn't help but be drawn into the lives of the characters, rooting for some and despising others.

Overall, while the book may not have been perfect, it had enough substance and charm to make it a worthwhile read.

**Fiction: A World of Limitless Imagination**

Fiction is a captivating realm that allows us to escape the boundaries of reality.

It takes us on thrilling adventures, introduces us to extraordinary characters, and exposes us to unique and fantastical worlds.

Through the power of words, authors create stories that can make us laugh, cry, and feel a whole range of emotions.

Whether it's a heart-pounding mystery, a swoon-worthy romance, or an action-packed adventure, fiction has the ability to transport us to places we've never been and make us believe in the impossible.

It encourages us to use our own imaginations and explore new ideas.

Fiction is not just a form of entertainment; it's a way to expand our minds and gain a deeper understanding of the human experience.

So, the next time you pick up a fictional book or watch a fictional movie, allow yourself to be fully immersed in the story and let your imagination run wild.

You never know where it might take you.

Revisiting a long enjoyed book is truly a treat. It's like taking a journey back in time and rediscovering the magic that first captivated you. Susan Howatch was a master at bringing historical events into the present in her novels. In this particular one, she weaves a fascinating tale that transports the characters of Julius Caesar, Marc Anthony, and Octavius into the world of investment banking in the 1920s and 1930s in the US and England. The story is filled with countless twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a page-turner that's hard to put down. You find yourself completely immersed in the lives of these characters as they navigate the complex and often cutthroat world of finance. Howatch's ability to blend history and modern-day themes is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone who loves a good story.

Revisiting a long enjoyed book is a treat.

Susan Howatch had an amazing way of bringing historical events into the present in her novels. This one is the story of Julius Cesar, Marc Anthony, and Octavius brought into the world of investment banking in the 1920s and 1930s in the US and England. Many twists and turns but hard to put down.

So good.

As usual, Susan Howatch has given us an in-depth look at people living their lives full of love, revenge, power struggles, jealousy, and sexual shenanigans.

The story is so engaging that it keeps the readers hooked from the very beginning.

After finishing this one, I can't wait to jump into Sins of the Fathers and see where we go!

The anticipation is killing me.

Sadly, book clubs and travel mean this won't happen until next month.

But at least it's SO FAR backlisted that I won't have to wait or put it on Hold. ☺️

This gives me some time to prepare myself for the next adventure in the world of Susan Howatch's novels.

I'm sure it's going to be just as精彩 as this one.

I can't wait to explore the characters and their complex relationships further.

Until then, I'll be counting the days.

This book truly sucked me in from the very beginning.

It is set during the post-WWI economic boom and crisis, which then extends all the way to WWII. The story mirrors the lives of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Mark Antony, but interestingly, it takes place on Wall Street and in London. The author's creativity is so remarkable that I didn't even realize until I was halfway through the book that the story seemed familiar.

As a student of history, this was like a dream come true for me, given the constant references to historical events and people. Each character in the book is extremely interesting. I found myself constantly torn between admiration and hatred for them.

The economic background of the story was a bit intimidating for me, as I don't have a deep knowledge of financial history. However, Howatch did an excellent job of simplifying it enough for ignorant readers like myself to understand.

It should be noted that there is some language and a little bit of sex in this book, as well as plenty of adultery. So, if these elements make you uncomfortable, it might be best to avoid reading it. Other than that, it was a truly fascinating and enjoyable read that I would highly recommend to others.