Kane and Abel

By: Jeffrey Archer

Narrated by: Jason Culp

Length: 19 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Kane & Abel for a new generation!!

They had only one thing in common - William Lowell Kane and Abel Rosnovski, one the son of a Boston millionaire, the other a penniless Polish immigrant. Two men born on the same day on opposite sides of the world, their paths were destined to cross in the ruthless struggle to build a fortune.

The marvellous story, spanning 60 years, of two powerful men linked by an all-consuming hatred, brought together by fate to save - and finally destroy - each other.

©2009 Jeffrey Archer (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Archer has a gift for plot that can only be described as genius." ( Daily Telegraph)

Archer hits the spot

I think this is one of the books that launched the Author, I am not sure, but it is a damn good listen. It is a classic both in content and context. You will not regret having this in your library.

Still one of the best!

I first read this novel a little over 30 years ago and placed it in my top 5 favourites, where it has firmly remained. After listening to Jason Culp bring his interpretation to Jeffrey Archer's masterpiece through his narration, I have an even greater respect and admiration for the story of Kane and Abel, and believe it will be very difficult to now remove it from the position of number one on my list.

Brought back good memories

Would you listen to Kane and Abel again? Why?

Yes. It is easy the listen to...good story, good narrator

What other book might you compare Kane and Abel to and why?

None I have listened to so far cause its was in a class of its own

Which character – as performed by Jason Culp – was your favorite?

William Kane and young Abel

If you could take any character from Kane and Abel out to dinner, who would it be and why?

William Kane. He was smart, rich and kind. Qualities you never see together.

Any additional comments?

I just loved it. The audio book put the movie to shame. I pray I find another book this good.

A giant story by the Master Story Teller

Would you listen to Kane and Abel again? Why?

Because, this book is beautifully written and flows so well, that you realise that you have been reading the book/listening for hours on end. You only go to sleep, as you cannot keep your eyes open.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kane and Abel?

When Abel discovers that William Kane was the original backer.

Which character – as performed by Jason Culp – was your favorite?

Well, all of them. He is brilliant.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, just as I read the book in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

It is one of my all time favourites and I revisit every 4 years or so.

WHAT A TWIST OF FATE

Would you listen to Kane and Abel again? Why?

A GRIPPING NOVEL FROM BEGINNING TO END WITH 2 MAIN CHARACHTERS WHO CROSS PATHS IN LIFE SOME KNOWINGLY AND UNKNOWINGLY - EACH WITH A TWIST. ONCE YOU FEEL YOU HAVE THE STORY IN PLACE THE FINAL SCENES DELIVER THE GREATEST TWIST OF ALL.

GRIPPING A MUST READ.

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

KANE AND ABEL

Any additional comments?

I WAS SO IMPRESESSED I HAVE NOW DOWNLOADED THE CHRONICLES BY JEFFREY ARCHER AND HOPE THEY PROVE TO BE AS GOOD.

Great story lasting a lifetime

The two proud men did not want to miss the action at the 5th Avenue.

Clearly describes the age where people revealed to little for their own good.

Wow, what a story

This to me is Jeffery Archer's greatest work. He has written some great books and I love each one but this, this to me is Jeffery Archer at his best.

I recommend this in every library, it has all emotions within its narration.

It is and has been one of my top ten stories.

Excellent Book

Whats a twist in the story.......wow.....very captivating and brilliant to listen. Love it from start.

Disapointed

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If it had been less long winded and had more thematic depth. Plot was just OK and over told and characters average. Very promising at the beginning especially Abel's story but he fell flat during the American years. William Kane was flat and uninteresting from birth.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something from Scott Turow. I miss the depth and sensitivity with which he writes

Would you be willing to try another one of Jason Culp’s performances?

No

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Kane and Abel?

Kane's school years and bank boardroom brawls, Able's tinkering with politics. In fact I would cut out most of Kane and just feature him as a minor character with sporadic appearances only when necessary .

Any additional comments?

I was hugely disappointed.It had so much promise at the beginning. Archer would have done so much better if he had just written Abel's story. That was the only story worth telling. I expected so much more than this book gave. From the rave reviews I was expecting to immerse myself into a classic in the same vein as Day of the Jackal or Pillars of the Earth, Rather its just a long winded and long drawn out over plotted and told script for a very shallow multi episode TV soap opera.