A Dangerous Fortune: A Novel Mass Market Paperback – November 1, 1994

Mr. Follett always writes such compelling stories. I just wish I didn’t feel like I need to take a shower after reading his books. The characters are complicated and well thought out. I just keep hoping for a cleaner story.

This was a bit different than what is the norm for a Follett novel but excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Based in the mid 1800's the story carries you through as the century ends, with murder, greed, cunning control and financial struggles for rich and poor. A real page turner to the end.

I love reading his books. The characters are well developed, the situations are well thought out and the storylines are suspenseful and interesting. Chalked full of details of London during the early years and I was engrossed with the storyline and the characters. Another classic!

There are many characters in the beginning, but as they all find their places in this novel...you want to keep turning the pages to read into their lives.

I enjoy reading a well written story about believable characters. How they lived and the context of how they made their decisions.

Excellent character development with many characters including the good, the bad, and the ugly. A nice mix of history, politics, and the culture of Victorian England.

I have now read all of Follett's novels. I love Victorian period pieces a and this did not disappoint! Highly recommend!!

Follett tells a story full of sex, intrigue, and murder. In the end it struck me how well he reminded me of the fleeting nature of wealth, power, and position. There is more to life than those things.

Reading Ken Folletts books is certainly an educational experience. His grasp of international and class relationships is second to none. From the magnificent medieval saga of the Cathedral series to the First World War battlefields Follett can bring characters to life in all sorts of situations. This book was no exception. The sexual activities of upper class cadswith their dolly mops were more than revealing. Perhaps too explicit. A fast paced read but probably too predictable. The named "South American" country perhaps spoilt the realism. There is a sequel which I might purchase at a later date but you have to search hard for the title.

I am glad that I only paid 99p for this. Admittedly I've not read much, but the style in which it is written reminds me of the writing of my pupils when I was a teacher. It is difficult to believe that this is by the man who wrote Pillars of the Earth. I could almost think that it should have begun with "It was a dark and stormy night..." I plan to continue reading, hoping that it will improve, but so far it seems to be going from bad to worse. A great disappointment.Additional Comment:I read a few more chapters, but regret the waste of time. I found that I had no sympathy for any of the characters, who became increasingly wooden and two dimensional. Could have done with a good outbreak of cholera to thin them out! I've read books for children that were better written.

This has to be one of Follett's greater novels and that, in itself, is significant. It pertains to a period of wealth and poverty living alongside each other in the middle to late 19th century. The central character is actually a bank and the story explores the interplay and exploits of the main players, both in the banking family and in the external world that uses the bank. The human interest is skillfully and imaginatively explored in depth and length. It goes back to school days in a public school and events emanating from this period develop and impinge on the lives of people of all classes. There are several snakes in the pit but the South American interest is both subversive and loathsome. Alongside these events a totally self centered and single minded Augusta strides through the novel leaving destruction and distaste in her wake. She is the wife of one of the partners and is a truly objectionable character. This long but constantly engaging story explores the implications of inherited wealth and poverty, its inter relationship and its thoroughly social destructiveness. I shall be surprised if, at the end of this wonderful story, you don't exclaim 'plus ca change'.

The first Ken Follett book I’ve ever read. Hooked from the start this book just swept me along. Didn’t want to put it down and couldn’t wait to pick it back up again. A highly recommended period drama with enough twist and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Five stars to Mr Follett for an original and excellent story. Will certainly be exploring more of this authors books.

I always enjoy the depth of social & political history in which is steeped a good story of human strength & frailty, the triumph of good over evil and all the ends knotted together. Ken Follett is a magnificent story teller & the only reason that this isn’t a 5/5 is that some of his others are even better.