Kane & Abel - 30 years later

Interesting how our perceptions change over the years. I first read Kand & Abel about 30 years ago and found it a fast moving narration of two powerful, competitive men. However, just havng finished it on audible, i find it a very sad story of two people neither accepting the opportunity to understand the other. Interesting how differently a novel can read to a 65 year old vs. a 35 year old.

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79 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Another great one ....

It seems lately that I just couldn't find an audiobook that grabbed me and wouldn't let go. Everything seemed "all the same". I was beginning to get quite frustrated. I decided to go back into my library and maybe listen to one of the hundreds of audios I've downloaded in the past 2 years. I came upon one my my favorite authors, Jeffrey Archer, so I clicked his name and it brought me to his list of books, most of which I've listened to. So glad I did! He once again, didnt fail to give me something I could sink my teeth into. It was COMPLETELY enjoyable to listen to. Somewhere right between "cant press stop" and "wow, what a great story......looking forward to the next chapter". Archer's tale is one of two men, born at the same time (early1920's) but worlds apart physically, emotionally, and financially. Yet, their differences were only one facet of this great story. The struggles they both experienced in life to reach their goals had one common thread. They both had grit and integrity. Their experiences somewhat mirrored each other yet so differently that it made for an extraordinary story line. So well written and so easy to listen to, yet, not one that puts you to sleep. The author did a fabulous job of entwining these men's lives in and out throughout the story, it gave it that "Oh my gosh......how ironic" feeling. Often it was like I was above, peeking down on them and watching their lives unfold. Please do yourself a favor and make time for this one. I expect you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

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57 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Love Jeffrey Archer

Most of the time I find books by the same author to be too similiar and I lose interest. I listened to Prisoner of Birth and enjoyed so much I purchased this book. This book was very interesting and I had a hard time putting it down. Very few books have me so involved that I couldn't wait to read the ending. The narration was well done. Characters well written This is a good listen

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23 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

A Saga of Two Powerful Families

This story is very well written with a well structured plot. The story pulls you in from the very beginning with its interesting and well developed characters. It's a fast moving story about two powerful and very competitive men, and their families. It is also a very sad story of two people hating each other but neither would give in and accept the various opportunities to learn about and understand the other. They relished in their hatred far too long. Both are slick manipulators; one abide by laws, the other not so much. One is Polish and the other a "Bostonian"....they hated the racial/cultural ethnicity of the other.

In the beginning, Abel Rosnovski was my favorite character but he ended up being my least favorite. The circumstances of his birth (really sad) made my heart ache. However, throughout the story he was saved and befriended by many people and yet his heart easily turned cold and calculating without proof or evidence to justify his actions.

I did enjoy this story but there are some glaring holes and contrivances. Abel Rosnovski was all knowing and had spies everywhere but was unable to find out who his benefactor was (what??) .... this contrivance was unbelievable and unlikely. Both men lived for their children, but they were willing to stop talking to them and cut them from their Wills when the children would not succumb to their father's demands (what ??). Another total contrivance is Abel being placed in a container filled with coal for an extended period of time (again unbelievable). It was hard to breathe after the first few minutes. He should have been dead or nearly dead by the end of the journey. The most least likely believable, is Henry, the ultimate scammer and criminal, becoming a congressman (What ??) Maybe that could happen today but not likely back in the 1950's and 60's.

I was looking for a novel that I could sink my teeth into and this was the one I chose. Even though there were many holes and contrivances, the overall story was entertaining. After 19 hours of listening, I didn't want it to end. The ending was okay, but was very disappointing. As I said, the two men were too prideful, they would sooner die than acknowledge each other.

The overall story was a generational family drama, and the author did a great job of weaving the men's lives in and out throughout the story. The narration was good, not great. Would highly recommend to anyone who can "suspend disbelief" beyond normal in order to listen to a great family saga.

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12 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Kept me listening!

I found this book when I looked into who the authour was of his new book: The Clifton Chronicles. Kane and Abel has an intriguing plot, likeable characters with an unknown future..all this kept me waiting for my next day at work so I could listen again on the commute. The ending was appropriate, but still somehow disappointing...or was I just sorry the story ended.I will now look for more Jeffrey Archer books. I don't know why I took so long to find him.

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10 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

extremely moving

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! I had read this book years ago, but it seemed new to me having it "read" to me. It keeps your attention from beginning to end and I did not want it to end.

What did you like best about this story?

It is amazing how the characters ended up connecting. I love how the main characters brought themselves up to such a level of success.

Have you listened to any of Jason Culp’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no I haven't listened to him before.

Who was the most memorable character of Kane and Abel and why?

William Kane because he was so ambitious and seemed to have a good heart (for the most part).

Any additional comments?

When it ended, I was sobbing....it was SO touching, yet tragic. My teenage son, thought I was CRAZY! but this book was so awesome I wanted more!

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9 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

A solid choice that many will enjoy

My second book by Archer and equally enjoyable. The writing absorbs you with interesting characters within a well structured plot. THe narration was good, not great. The voices were well done, only the non-dialogue portions were narrated somewhat slowly. Would highly recommend to anyone, an easy 5 star choice. Looking forward to my next Archer book.

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9 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Totally predictable and contrived

And yet - an enjoyable listen. I was frustrated in part because some things were SO predictable that it spoiled the story. But there is enough detail about Poland the the cruelties of Germany and Russia. AND insights into various immigrants groups and blue blood Americans. So overall I rate it as OK, but not more so. I can't give it a 2.5 stars, so I settled on 3.

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8 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Kane & Abel

Jeffrey Archer, an author who knows how to put it all down. Couldn't say enough about the experience of it all. I cried....Love it A classic

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7 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

story and characters were boring and predictable

I only got through it because I had 18 hours of driving to do. I tried to enjoy it, but realised a few hours in that the writing (and editing) aren't great.
The subject matter and the big picture theme were interesting, but the characters were single dimensional which left the entire book to be boring and predictable.
The best thing to come out of listening to this book is that I now know to avoid Jeffrey archer in the future.
The narration was good and is what kept me in there till the end.

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5 les gens ont trouvé cela utile