The Rich are Different Audiobook By Susan Howatch cover art

The Rich are Different

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The Rich are Different

By: Susan Howatch
Narrated by: Nadia May
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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. Fiction Historical Fiction Marriage Banking

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)
Intriguing Characters • Rich Historical References • Engaging Storyline • Surprising Plot Twists • Captivating Performance
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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.

revisiting an old favourite

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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!

Surprises at every turn!

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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.

Starts out slow

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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!

Excellent!

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

So Entertaining

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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!!!

Surprising!!!

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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.

I really enjoyed this one

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I gave this one 5 because of the length and ability to keep me entertained for many hours. Nadia May is not my favorite narrator but she wasn't bad on this one.

The story seemed familiar to me and then it dawned on me that she was telling the tale of Julius Ceasar, Cleopaetra, and Mark Anthony. I haven't listened to the sequel but we know how the real story ended, don't we, especially after watching ROME on HBO.

I have always enjoyed Howatch's style of narrating the story with different first persons so you see a character not only as he or she sees himself, but how others see them.

Good Value for Credit

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I read this book 30 years ago and had loved it. I was so happy to revisit this rich storytelling.

Loved it!

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Excellent novel. Psychological, richly detailed, erudite, complex, character driven, and with a wild plot based loosely on Roman history, but now set in the world of US investment banking, business, high society wealth, and Wall Street. Really an amazing, riveting, expertly written novel. I usually dislike Nadia May, et.al., but she gives a great performance.

Spectacular.

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