The Town Herald

The netpaper about Elftowners, by Elftowners, for Elftowners.

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The Prodigal Daughter

Author - Jeffrey Archer
Publisher – Harper Collins
© July 1993
review by: [Blaithin]

Jeffrey Archer is well known for his best seller ‘Kane and Abel’ and in its sequel, ‘The Prodigal Daughter’, he carries on the story of these two rivals through their children. Remarkably written and well received everywhere, this novel caught my interest because of the intrigue, plot, and the unraveling of politics and the lives involved with it.

From her first words Florentyna Rosnovski was determined to become President of the United States of America. She named her teddy bear Franklin D. Roosevelt – FDR for short of course – and read the paper every morning after her father. Having Abel Rosnoski definitely helped her along. Florentyna had the best that could be offered, especially where schooling was involved. She had a governess at an early age to prepare her for school and was well above her other peers upon entering kindergarten. Florentyna grew up being fluent in French and Latin and was an aspiring politician, even in elementary. But everything changed when little Flo Rosnovski grew up to be jilted by her fiancé.

Having experienced what she wanted to be her last failure, Florentyna set out into the world after finishing school and under an unknown name began working in a department store. Here she met her future husband, Richard Kane. When their love was exposed, both fathers were furious at their children’s betrayals and cut them from their lives. The newly married couple moves to California to live with some of Florentyna’s friends from school until they get on their feet. Determined to prove that they don’t need either of their fathers' wealth, Richard gets a job as a bank clerk while Florentyna starts her own clothing store chain. Immensely successful, Florentyna and Richard start a family and are completely independent of their families, until Abel passes away.

Thrown back into her old world Florentyna is given charge of her father’s company and instantly becomes a millionaire. Paired with Florentyna’s success is Richard’s. As he helps heal the broken bond between his father and himself, Richard is voted onto the board of directors of one of America’s largest and most renowned banks. Both careers, as well as Florentyna’s clothes chain take off and the pair is known nationwide, even more so when Florentyna decides to run for a position in the senate. Determined to renew her dream of achieving the highest political status available in the US today, Florentyna starts down the path of extreme responsibility, loss, and betrayal. Will she be able to conquer prejudices and heartbreak? Will Florentyna Kane come out on top, prevailing despite the obstacles cast in her way? There’s only one way to be sure...

I’ve read this book multiple times and there’s still always something new for me to notice. Its surprise wrapped up in a nice little package that will keep you rooted to the spot for hours. It is a definite must read that has found a home on my shelf, and I hope will find one on yours.

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