| Title: | Kane & Abel | |
| Author: | Jeffrey Archer | |
| Published: | 1979, Fawcett | |
| No. of Pages: | 477 | |
| Cover Price: | $8.99 US |
There is good reason that Jeffrey Archer’s Kane & Abel is in its 19th reprint. Originally published in 1979, the book is the story of two men, born on the same day, but worlds apart. One is born to a wealthy banking family, and the other, an abandoned orphan taken in by a penniless family in Poland. As they grow, both are very savvy and are able to amass huge fortunes. They are pitted against each other, however, and one believes he was wronged by the other; there is a lifelong quest for revenge. The book has six sections, spanning 60 years.
After almost being killed by the Russians in the war, as his entire family was, Abel Rosnovski travels to New York on a ship from Poland, starts his career as a waiter in a hotel, and is ultimately made assistant manager of a fledgling hotel chain in Chicago. William Lowell Kane is born to a millionaire banker, and is brought up in the best of circumstances. He is expected to one day take over his father’s (and grandfather’s, and great-grandfather’s) bank, and has been groomed to do so since birth.
In each of the six sections, there are suspenseful moments for both of the characters, Abel’s often life threatening as he is imprisoned for several years, and escapes. William’s struggles are not as poignant or critical, but are just as suspenseful. His father was killed early on, and his mother married a swindler who took her inheritance. After she died during childbirth, William threatens his step-father, who is a politician, to disappear, and William takes over as he sees fit. Unfortunately, his stepfather, Henry Osborne, begins working for Abel, and is a third element in the drama and the unfortunate events that shape both lives.
Jeffrey Archer is a powerful storyteller, and is able to combine both stories into a novel that simply can’t be put down. Readers will be on the edge of their seats with the palpable suspense, as they follow the individual sagas of each of these powerful men, as well as their families. It is obvious that Archer, who is English, has done his research, and the scenarios involving Polish, Russian, and American history are not only fascinating, but also factual. Even though this book was first published years ago, it is certainly not out of print and is considered classic fiction that is well-worth reading. This book is highly recommended.
This book was purchased with personal funds and no promotion of the book was solicited by the author or publisher.
This book may be purchased at Amazon: Kane and Abel
