Plot summary, “Kane and Abel” by Jeffrey Archer in 4 Minutes - Book Review
1"Kane and Abel" is a novel written by British author Jeffrey Archer. It was first published in 1979 and has become one of Archer's most popular and enduring works. The book is a multi-generational family saga that spans continents and decades, telling the story of two men, William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski, who come from vastly different backgrounds and lead contrasting lives.
William Lowell Kane is born into a wealthy and privileged Boston family, while Abel Rosnovski is born into poverty in a small village in Poland. The two men's lives are destined to intersect, although they are initially unaware of each other's existence.
The novel follows their parallel but contrasting journeys, as they both strive for success and overcome numerous challenges. William Kane pursues a career in banking and eventually becomes the head of one of the most powerful banking institutions in the United States. Abel Rosnovski, on the other hand, escapes the turmoil of early 20th-century Europe, emigrating to the United States, and works his way up from a poor immigrant to a successful hotel and real estate magnate.
Their paths cross in a fateful encounter, leading to a lifelong rivalry and enmity, as well as a complex and intertwined relationship that affects both their families. The novel explores themes of ambition, revenge, and the enduring impact of early life circumstances on one's destiny.
"Kane and Abel" is known for its compelling storytelling, memorable characters, and the epic scope of its narrative. The book has been praised for its portrayal of the American Dream, the clash of two different worlds, and the ways in which fate can bring people together or set them on divergent paths.
The novel's success led to a sequel, "The Prodigal Daughter," which continues the story of the Kane and Rosnovski families. "Kane and Abel" remains one of Jeffrey Archer's most acclaimed works and has been widely read and appreciated by fans of family sagas and historical fiction.