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)

Excellent

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend The Rich Are Different for the intriguing cast of characters and the historical refereces

Who was your favorite character and why?

Paul VanSale is my favorite character, as the whole book revolves around him

What about Nadia May’s performance did you like?

I think she brought each of the characters personalities to light

If you could rename The Rich are Different, what would you call it?

The title is fine

Any additional comments?

I loved it. It is a long book, and I looked forward to picking up where I left off each day.

The correct facts of history

What an enjoyable story of an extended family from the turn of the last century

Dissapointed

I believe that I would have enjoyed this novel with a narrator that could give voice to each character. Pretty much every character has the same manner of speech in this novel. Many times I had no idea who was speaking.

Just Terrible -- I Hate It!!!

I tried to listen to this one. I'm a very good listener. 28 hours worth of a sage tempted me because i planned to get lots of housework and cooking done while listening. I realized after a while that I was tuning it out more than listening. The first main character is such a wind bag. There is very very little action flanked by endless pontificating about himself and his notions. Ugh, the worst!!! The authors first job is to help us know then care about the characters. Who cares about such self centered asses?

I tried to return it to Audible but was not allowed. I have 22 hours left and could not listen to another hour if you paid me.

Indifferent

While I enjoyed viewing the story from the different perspectives of the many different characters, I found myself disappointed that there was not a single character that I could cheer on as the hero in the story. I left the book feeling indifferent about who would “get” the upper hand, and rather depressed about all of the characters. This is definitely not a book to read if you are looking to be inspired by a hero or heroine.