A Dangerous Fortune Paperback – 3 Jun. 2011

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.

Alas,much to predictable & formulaic.The same type of characters; the brave working clsss heroine, the caddish "upper class" man...All the usual stock characters .Despite that it was a fast moving story suitable to read on a flight or on the beach .

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.

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'.

I have read most of Ken Folletts books and have enjoyed them very much. This book does not disappoint and is truly gripping. I would recommend it to anybody. I found I could not put it down.

Ripping yarn for “adults” has a beginning, middle and end , with characters well drawn and true to type. Old fashioned in a way but I enjoyed it as harmless entertainment. Totally lacking intellect thank goodness & a sharp reminder of an age just before a great grandparents (if you are old enough)

I loved the story which is full of unexpected events. Until the end we do not know when or if the baddy will finally be stopped. The world of the mega rich at the end of the 19th century is very well described. We learn a lot on the society: the place of women, the role of prostitutes, the attitude towards the Jews, etc.… I enjoyed the book from the first to the last page.