A Dangerous Fortune

Ken Follett never fails to entertain, and though this is not his best book it\’s got that \”Can\’t stop listening, got to find out what happens next\” quality that is the mark of a natural storyteller. I waffled between three and four stars – and decided on four because of that very quality. As always Follett introduces numerous engrossing if two-dimensional characters, he\’s great with his villains, the story moves at a great clip. The book is predictable, but still a fun read, almost a guilty pleasure.

Ken Follet is my favorite author when he writes period pieces. His best was Pillars of the earth and right behind that was World without end. This book comes in third and that is why I gave it only four stars. It is pretty hard to match those first two books. The characters in this book are interesting and some very evil. The way he writes makes you believe they are real though. I won\’t give away the plot but will just say it held my attention and interest and is worth the download credit.

Ken Follett is one of the contemporary authors who both excite and annoy me. I have read Follett novels that are brilliant (i.e, Eye of the Needle) and hopeless messes (i.e., Jackdaws) For me, Dangerous Fortune is on the side of brillance. Follett takes that overdone and predictable plot wherein a bunch of school chums participate in a crime that comes back to haunt them years later. Such begins Dangerous Fortune. What moves Follett\’s characters into the field of art is the author\’s artistry. He shapes and presents each character so decidedly that the reader is never lost. These characters have style, wit and purpose and Follett throws them at us with brave gusto. Aided by a great narrator, Michael Page, Ken Follett\’s brillance is on every page. I loved this book and was sorry when it was over.

I\’m a real Follett fan, but I ran tepid and cool on this one. The turn-off for me was all the emphasis on bosoms and sex, crying and tears, women and men, page after page, chapter after chapter, ad nauseum (and I\’m a boob man, too). A real soap opera. Other than that, it was ok with interesting twists and turns although the overall plot was somewhat pedestrian, predictable and quite unbelievable. Descriptions of 19th century London with its brothels, mistresses and royal parties seemed authentic and it gave me a much better feel for the British class system and how it worked. The hierarchy of royal titles and how they are obtained was interesting, too. Also on the positive side, there were some events depicted and resolved (if a bit tritely) that accurately parallel the horrible financial situation that we\’re presently experiencing. There\’s an interesting twist at the end, too. But, oh yes, this is a book review of a thriller. Not too thrilling, but I did finish it. The reader was excellent. He altered his voice nicely to represent individual characters, and maintained it throughout the book. This made following the sometimes intricate plot a bit easier. I\’m glad I bought it, but probably wouldn\’t again.

Excellent story, *very* intricate plot, many villains and heroes. If you aren\’t a careful listener (or like me – listen when I *shouldn\’t* like when using the language part of my brain) -my own fault) you\’ll find yourself rewinding a lot because so much is packed in it. Don\’t let the caveat discourage you. D.F. has it all: love, romance, lust, heroism, gold-digging, social climbing, and villainy! Of course, the characters are a BIT two dimensional (good v. bad)..the plot is anything but! This is a thriller, not a Greek tragedy. There is so much double dealing and backstabbing there is a need to remind yourself who is allied with whom. Don\’t worry this makes your money/credit last longer. Follett did his homework on 19th century London because you get a perfect sketch of the class systems at that time in both: descriptions of elegant of upper classes and the gritty licentiousness of the lower class where the upper go \”slumming\”, quite literally, as that is where all the REAL fun is located. I avoid spoilers because we all use these reviews to decide if a book is well read, produced, etc. (i.e. done well or poorly enough) to BUY. So I shan\’t give away any secrets even if some prior reviews have given away some pretty substantial hints. Remember, it is all about HOW it all happens and the general the details that are supposed get tied up so nicely.(NOTE: This reviewer *used* to give 5s a lot, and now saves a 5th star for \”must listens.\” So a 4 or 5 means VERY entertaining. I would NOT give a \”classic\” 5 stars just to give it homage and to create a snobbish persona if it was a dull listen.)

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