Liked how story progressed by the different characters telling their view of the events. ( )

I am so glad I discovered Susan Howatch. I couldn't do justice at summarizing the story. There are so many good reviews if you look her up. Even though this particular book is about 20th century characters, there is an understory of Augustus Caesar, Cleopatra, Mark Anthony and some others. I found it fascinating and couldn't get much else accomplished until I finished the book. ( )

Another good Susan Howatch family saga. ( )

Sequel to 'The Rich are Different', set ten years later. Again it's written from varying perspectives, which works well to develop the arious plots, but it mainly revolves around Cornelius, head of a bank. The book was very well-written, though I have little interest in high finance, and although the ending was rather bleak, I thought it was probably right.

Re-reading nearly nine years later, I found it gripping once again, and surprisingly enjoyable despite the business/banking theme. I had quite forgotten the climax of the book, which once again saddened me, but the conclusion was undoubtedly right. What an incredibly vile person Cornelius Van Zale is.

Best read after 'The Rich are Different'. ( )

Sequel to Rich are Different
okay novel Van Zale family
Bar Harbor Brotherhood

This is the tumultuous novel of men and women pitted against a world of wealth, power, and privilege...the story of the powerful Van Zale clan, and the man, Cornelius Van Zale, whose dynastic struggle to control a great fortune becomes the center of his life. When the world of the Van Zales, of servants and country houses, of European summers and Bar Harbor clambakes, polite marriages and discreet affairs, suddenly begins to fall apart, we see this glamorous sphere for what it really is--rife with ruthless, power-hungry men, fortune hunters, secret sex, blackmail...and violence.