Kane and Abel

These days I somehow lost my interest in writing. I have been reading though, but the not as eagerly as I usually do. Anyway finished reading a 550 page novel “Kane and Abel” by Jeffery Archer. It was my second Archer book after A Prison Diary. This book was all about tough guys and their ego or so called “macho stuff” which separate men from great men. Apart from this story was intruding and indulging.

Two men born in different circumstances, work hard to build a fortune. One is pole refugee and other is a son of a rich banker. Set up in the times of world wars, it tell the story of one of those men who made a fortune in that period much like the Tatas and Birlas which appeared at the same time. In their way of building fortunes they met in unfortunate circumstances and a line of hatred grows between them. Finally there children cross this line by marring against parents wishes and succeed in erasing this line.

Jeffery Archer is a great storyteller and everyone knows it. The story is full of turns and twists; especially the last page shocks you the most. Both main protagonists are very strong even though the ladies have nothing to do in his story. On a last note, the book can be a good long journey companion.

The Firm

I must say unlike many people I wasn’t much impressed by John Grisham in his book “The Rainmaker” and have always considered Dan Brown to be a better writer. But all this changed as soon as I started reading the masterpiece. A fast paced thriller with loads of turns, it made me read an extra hour each night. The book was so captivating that it refused to leave my brain while I was sleeping. Before I praise it even more, better to go through the summary first.

A broke Harvard law graduate Mitch, gets a dream job offer. The firm which is run by the mafia has many secrets embedded in it. If you join it once then there is no turning back. And if you try then you will never make it alive. The story is how Mitch found out the truth and his escapade of survival.

The pace with which the book moves is simply amazing. Once you start this journey there is no escape from it until you finish the book. Sometimes you read a book for its literary marvel and sometimes you just read it for the great story teller who wrote it. A perfect read for a long train journey.