Sins of the Fathers [Mass Market Paperback]

Susan Howatch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 1985

"Full of fascinating dialogue, surprising twists of plot, and well-developed, memorable characters, a stunningly successful work of fiction."
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This is the tumultuous novel of men and women pitted against a world of wealth, power, and privilege...the story of the powerful Van Zale clan, and the man, Cornelius Van Zale, whose dynastic struggle to control a great fortune becomes the center of his life. When the world of the Van Zales, of servants and country houses, of European summers and Bar Harbor clambakes, polite marriages and discreet affairs, suddenly begins to fall apart, we see this glamorous sphere for what it really is--rife with ruthless, power-hungry men, fortune hunters, secret sex, blackmail...and violence.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Full of fascinating dialogue, surprising twists of plot, and well-developed, memorable characters, a stunningly successful work of fiction."
NASHVILLE BANNER
This is the tumultuous novel of men and women pitted against a world of wealth, power, and privilege...the story of the powerful Van Zale clan, and the man, Cornelius Van Zale, whose dynastic struggle to control a great fortune becomes the center of his life. When the world of the Van Zales, of servants and country houses, of European summers and Bar Harbor clambakes, polite marriages and discreet affairs, suddenly begins to fall apart, we see this glamorous sphere for what it really is--rife with ruthless, power-hungry men, fortune hunters, secret sex, blackmail...and violence.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (April 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449207986
• ISBN-13: 978-0449207987
• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1.5 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Howatch never Disappoints, November 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Sins of the Fathers (Mass Market Paperback)

The only reason I gave this book 4 stars is because I feel Howatch's "Glamorous Powers" and "Glittering Images" are better. This book is the sequel to "The Rich are Different". My major question after finishing both is: What caused Cornelius to be so self-deluded and evil? He is totally consumed with his power and the "rightness" of his actions. In "The Rich are Different," Howatch seems to allude to his childhood isolation brought on by his asthma. However this explantion just doesn't seem to be enough to explain how he could be so warped at such an early age. Perhaps we are to assume that explanations cannot always be found to fully explain a human character so twisted. I will continue to read Howatch. The stories are complex and not easily predictable. I recommend her works to all.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful follow-up to "Rich are Different", September 2, 2007

By 

Kate's Mom (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sins of the Fathers (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was my second novel by Susan Howatch. I read (or rather listened to an audio version) of "The Rich are Different" and was astounded. As soon as I found out there was a sequel, I immediately dove in. Be sure to read "Rich" first.

Both books are told with six narrators each. Howatch handles this with a deft skill that always moves the plot forward, but also leaves me amazed with her power to inhabit and sympathize with what you think are second-tier characters. As with any novel, you develop feelings for characters as you go along, based on the information you are presented with. But often Howatch turns the tables and makes one of these characters the narrator. The reader suddenly not only understands previous events better, but is able to sympathize with these characters. There are no "hokey" surprise twists, just a richer story.

Howatch tackles some very dark/difficult themes - adultery, murder, blackmail, impotence, alcoholism, chronic illness, perversion, revenge - with the stunning ability to focus on the humanity and foibles that drive and derive from these. A current parallel might be "The Sopranos."

I enjoy classic literature as well as NYT bestseller type of fiction. And although Howatch seems to be available mostly as mass market paperback (tends to put me off), her writing is agile yet literary, and her ability to hold a mirror to humanity speaks of a tremendous talent.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all time favorite books, August 18, 2007

By 

Kelly Graves (Aledo, TX. United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sins of the Fathers (Mass Market Paperback)

Susan Howatch's ability to tell a story from various character's viewpoints is such a gift. Each chapter is such a cliffhanger that even on rereading, I can't wait to turn the page. Howatch's books even make me think how each person in my family would have such a different story to tell, even of the same time periods and events. I whole heartedly recommend this (and all of her other) book(s)!!!