The Rich are Different

By: Susan Howatch

Narrated by: Nadia May

Length: 28 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The Rich Are Different is the story of Dinah Slade, a young Englishwoman of immense vitality and great sensual power, whose life, loves, and fierce ambition become entangled with the fate of a great American banking family in the 1920s.

When Paul Van Zale, a handsome patrician and powerful Wall Street banker, meets Dinah in London, he commits the imprudence of falling in love with her.

When Dinah follows him to his world, she is caught up in the complex currents of Paul's life. Among the new acquaintances she makes is Paul's wife, with whom, much to Dinah's shock and dismay, Paul manages an almost perfect marriage. Their lives are intertwined with such mastery that listeners will be captivated with The Rich Are Different from the very first word to the astonishing climax.

©1977 Susan Howatch (P)2001 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Susan Howatch has surpassed herself. This is a mighty book." (Orlando Tribune)
"Nadia May captures the essence of the six first-person narratives [in] the story, to the point of making recognizable each character's voice as related by the others." (AudioFile)

revisiting an old favourite

I first read this book in 1979 and fell in love with Susan Howach. was thrilled to find this on audible and this time 'listen' to the story which was perfectly narrated. I connected with all the characters again as I did over 40 years ago.
I have since learnt that the story parralells Anthony and Cleopatra's story.

Good, but I need to read the 2nd to know how good

The Rich Are Different is the first of two long historical fiction books. Howatch likes alternating between multiple narrators. And in this case she alternates between the characters that are roughly Caesar, Cleopatra, Mark Antony and Augustus.

Set in the pre Wall Street crash of the late 1920s though the early days of World War II, the rich really are different in some ways. But in many ways they are not. They still have concerns, loves, loss and heartbreak. Their money does insulate them somewhat from the conventions of the day. But wealth cannot buy happiness, good marriages, healthy children, or an end to tragedy.

I was engaged throughout the book, although it does drag a bit at times. It is long, just over 700 pages, and I alternated between the audiobook and kindle book. There is a sequel that is the same length which continues the story.

The characters are not particularly lovable, which can be a bit off putting. But they are interesting. There are lots of affairs and bad relational decisions, although most of the sex is off screen. There is also a lot of fear of what others will think, which even more than the sex, impacts relationships.

I reserve full judgement until I read the second book, but I generally thought this was well worth reading, although not as good as the Starbridge series.

a masterpiece

If you could sum up The Rich are Different in three words, what would they be?

One of my favorite all time favorite books pure genius . Powerful, romantic, tragic

What did you like best about this story?

everything

What does Nadia May bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

not much

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

well, that is a long essay, but you must understand Susan Howatch and how many years she researched and wrote towards this work. Favorite moments I guess would be when Steve Marries Dina, and Cornelius ordering a hamburger well done with ketchup

Any additional comments?

If you haven't read Howatch start with The wheel of Fortune and read on. She is one of the great novelists of our day. You will find your vocabulary grows

Surprises at every turn!

I started this audio book because I enjoy the narrator and stories from this era, but I was delighted to find a book full of romance, intrigue, and surprises at every turn!

Starts out slow

Very tedious at beginning but picks up as characters are introduced. If the narration was a little faster then it would make the story less tedious. I sped up the narration at certain points. The plot does does get better as the background is explained.

Excellent!

I prefer historical novels over fiction but this book made me a fan of Susan Howatch. I don't agree with the other reviewers about the narrator - I often buy books simply because Nadia May IS the narrator. There's no way she could give different voices to the dozens of male and female characters who come in and out of this story. The book is engaging and entertaining, holding the reader's attention throughout. Although I didn't care much for the cold-blooded golddigging 1920s "just my baby daddy" Diana Slade and even less for her weak-willed, p-whipped lovers, the author did a great job with character and plot development. I don't know about the title since these people were neither that "rich" (like the Vanderbilt or Astor rich) or so very "different" (they acted a bit ghetto/trailer trashy with the alcohol abuse, indiscriminate sex, lack of personal morals or respect for others). But this is a book you won't want to put down. I'm hooked and moving on my next Howatch novel!

So Entertaining

I really enjoyed this audible experience. Excellent writing, character development and, above all, entertainment value. Just what I needed!

Surprising!!!

At first I thought this would be a long long love affair. However, the story enfolded very good.
Intrigues, deceit, murder and romance, it’s all in the story.
So after a long and slow start (which I did not mind at all), there was a thrilling mid section and then there was a surprisingly end.
Every few years one of the main figures is telling the story (more or less).
I have enjoyed it!!!

I really enjoyed this one

I am a BIG Susan Howatch fan and this one did not disappoint. I listened to this one and followed it directly with Sins of the Father. It was a long trip but I enjoyed every minute. Susan Howatch has a unique style of writing and you really get a great perspective of the main characters. I recommend this one.

A Re-Read Favourite

This and “The Sins of the Fathers” are two of my favorite reads with “The Wheel of Fortune” following closely behind. Such good character development makes one like & despise the characters at the same time. Plot development is good too. Highly recommend to other listeners.