Ratings36
Average rating4.1
Born on the same day near the turn of the century on opposite sides of the world, both men are brought together by fate and the quest of a dream.These two men — ambitious, powerful, ruthless — are locked in a relentless struggle to build an empire, fuelled by their all-consuming hatred. Over 60 years and three generations, through war, marriage, fortune, and disaster, Kane and Abel battle for the success and triumph that only one man can have.
The first novel in the Kane and Abel series.
([source][1])
[1]: https://www.jeffreyarcher.co.uk/book/kane-and-abel/
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Contains:
[Kane & Abel: 1/2](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL17850605W/Kane_Abel._1_2)
Contained in:
[Kane & Abel / Sons of Fortune](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL16059135W/Kane_Abel_Sons_of_Fortune)
[Kane and Abel / The Prodigal Daughter / Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less / A Quiver Full of Arrows
](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL23860505W)
Reviews with the most likes.
(4.5, rounded down to 4)
‘Kane and Abel' is a very clear cut novel - follows the life journeys of two people, Abel Rosnovski and William Kane, born on the same date - whose circumstances cause them to grow up drastically different, but later they clash with each other heavily - causing them to disregard everything around them for revenge.
This is a marvellous piece of fiction, but as much as I want to sing this novel's praises, it lets you down at several points - for example, the character motivations of Kane and Abel, the titular characters.
Even though the book describes the odysseys of Kane and Abel in excruciating detail, I still got the feeling that both could be further developed. This complaint was repeated with several characters, all of whom are described (and developed) in zero detail. The plot also slows down heavily in the last quarter of the book - the part where ideally, I should have been the most excited.
Barring that, the first two parts of the novel, and the ending - are one of the best in modern dramatized fiction I've encountered so far. Will definitely be returning to Jeffrey Archer in the future.
William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski, one the son of Millionaire , the other a penniless Polish immigrant. A story spanning 60 years, brought together by fate to save - and finally destroy - each other.
Best Therapy
One of the best story-tellers i have ever come across. The 8 words of the closing sentence made me relive the book. Ouch!!
Never knew closure could be portrayed as simply and painfully.
Story of 2 men driven by ideals, crossing each others path multiple times over the span of 60+ years, if only ......
Failed bechdel test but damn, recalibrated the reading experience in itself for me.
What a great change of pace! This was a wonderfully written book that had me invested from beginning to end. I did not see the ending coming and was saddened by it. All the hatred and feuding found out at the end was unnecessary. I will be reading more by this author.
Featured Series
3 primary booksKane & Abel is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 1971 with contributions by Jeffrey Archer.
Featured Prompt
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