Destiny
by Sally Beauman
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Description
The blockbuster #1 international bestseller . . . a sweeping saga of a man born to wealth, a woman raised in poverty, and a love that conquers all. Edouard's story begins in London in 1940. At fourteen, he's the son of a baron and second in line to a dazzling jewelry dynasty. Hélène's story begins in Alabama in 1950. An only child, she lives with her mother in a trailer park and dreams of escaping her hardscrabble life. Their paths cross in France, and a brief, passionate affair follows. show more They are separated by fate, and that seems to be the end. But Edouard cannot devote his life to business . . . not before finding Hélène again. Destiny is Sally Beauman's masterpiece about a man and a woman and their once-in-a-lifetime love. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Did you ever get the feeling that certain events in your life were just destined to happen? The premise of this novel is based on that idea.
The plot is absurd, but Sally Beauman is such a good storyteller that it is easy to just go along with the outlandish coincidences. Because while the “destined” plot is fantastical, the characters seem ultra-real.
Upon publication in 1987 "Destiny" got endorsed by major news media including "The Washington Post", "Philadelphia Inquirer", and "USA Today" and "Destiny "appearing on the New York Times best seller list for several months,. However, many recent reviewers complain the narrative is too long and utterly ridiculous.
So what is it all about? It begins in the 1940s and spans three show more decades. It is about two wealthy brothers- the younger one has integrity, compassion, and a desire to carry on the family business. In contrast, the older brother is self-centered, obnoxious, and disgusting. He cares nothing for business but wants his share of the wealth, and has no morals and no respect for women.
The plot takes many unexpected twists and turns leaving the reader in constant suspense. "Destiny" is a cross between a soap opera and - "50 shades of Gray". Drama upon drama, multiple characters of different backgrounds, and superb character development. Sex, violence, jealous rivalry, deceit, intrigue, and romance. Sally Beauman is an incredible storyteller. It’s just a shame the plot had to involve a tawdry obscene sexual story line. show less
The plot is absurd, but Sally Beauman is such a good storyteller that it is easy to just go along with the outlandish coincidences. Because while the “destined” plot is fantastical, the characters seem ultra-real.
Upon publication in 1987 "Destiny" got endorsed by major news media including "The Washington Post", "Philadelphia Inquirer", and "USA Today" and "Destiny "appearing on the New York Times best seller list for several months,. However, many recent reviewers complain the narrative is too long and utterly ridiculous.
So what is it all about? It begins in the 1940s and spans three show more decades. It is about two wealthy brothers- the younger one has integrity, compassion, and a desire to carry on the family business. In contrast, the older brother is self-centered, obnoxious, and disgusting. He cares nothing for business but wants his share of the wealth, and has no morals and no respect for women.
The plot takes many unexpected twists and turns leaving the reader in constant suspense. "Destiny" is a cross between a soap opera and - "50 shades of Gray". Drama upon drama, multiple characters of different backgrounds, and superb character development. Sex, violence, jealous rivalry, deceit, intrigue, and romance. Sally Beauman is an incredible storyteller. It’s just a shame the plot had to involve a tawdry obscene sexual story line. show less
More a box set than a book! It was really enjoyable, if an odd initial premise - but at 900 pages quite a commitment.
The romantic novel writ large. Full of tropes but oddly compelling.
Totally ridiculous plot and unlikeable characters
Totally brill read. Loved it - quite long though.
A raunchy read designed to shock and entertain.
For a complete review click or paste the link below:
http://onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/destiny-sally-beauman.html
For a complete review click or paste the link below:
http://onerightword.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/destiny-sally-beauman.html
From one of the book boxes Moem sent to me.
This book is looking for a new home :-)
This book is looking for a new home :-)
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Author Information
30+ Works 2,929 Members
Sally Beauman was born in Paignton, Devon, England on July 25, 1944. She read English literature at Girton College, Cambridge. While living in the United States, she worked as a staff writer for New York magazine before becoming an associate editor. She moved to London in 1970 and became the editor of Queen Magazine. After that, she worked as a show more freelancer for Vogue, the Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Times, and the Observer. She was the first winner of the Catherine Pakenham award for journalism. Under the pseudonym Vanessa James, Beauman wrote seven Harlequin romances in the 1980s including The Fire and the Ice and Give Me This Night. The first novel written under her own name was Destiny, which was published in 1987. Her other novels included Dark Angel, Lovers and Liars, Danger Zones, Sextet, Rebecca's Tale, The Landscape of Love, and The Visitors. She died of cancer on July 7, 2016 at the age of 71. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Awards and Honors
Distinctions
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Destiny
- Original title
- Destiny (English) (English)
- Original publication date
- 1987-03-02
- People/Characters
- Helene Craig
- Important places
- Paris, France; England, UK; Alabama, USA
- Epigraph
- Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust,
Like diamonds, we are cut with our own dust....
Webster: The Duchess of Malfi - Dedication
- For James,
The Kindest Of Military Philosophers
And for Alan,
With my love - First words
- The authorization was for two million dollars.
- Blurbers
- Dunne, Dominick
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 308
- Popularity
- 103,294
- Reviews
- 7
- Rating
- (3.67)
- Languages
- 10 — Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 29
- ASINs
- 10
