Paper Money

Ken Follett is a great author. But he has better books than this one in his library of works. It's an OK story and it is a quick read that can be handled in an evening.

This book by Ken Follett has so many different twists and turns, and the ending is indead great with again a different twist. Don't be afraid to purchase it. It is a really good bood.

This is the first Ken Follett I have read and I understand it is an early effort. This novel is a wonderful invocation of London and various types that were around in the late 60s and early 70s. In a short space it paints a rich canvass of characters and has a very clever plot.The insight into characters and "the way things work" is sharp and the sex is well handled without becoming prurient. I was amazed at the talent here ("I normally read more "serious" authors) and this is a cut above other best selling authors I sometimes have read. I intend to explore his other novels.

I'm moved to add my opinion in defense of Paper Money and Ken Follett's substantial talent. It's all there from the beginning: his masterful plot design, his uncanny ability to humanize and give insight into "bad" characters. I too found the ending a little abrupt and lacking in traditional resolution. However, I would still highly recommend this to someone looking for a well crafted and propulsive "shorter" read.

We were horrified at the poor reviews for this book. It is our favorite Ken Follett. It seemed to relate to his frustation as a reporter who was unable to report a fabulous story which had been clevely discovered. We, also, were a bit taken back by the ending, since we expected the bad guys to be suitably punished - but as one thought about it further, they received some punishment, and the good guys came out OK. Follett is telling us this is the way it is sometimes. And the plot really is very subtle - the reader certainly is constantly amazed as the story unfolds. Follett's introduction, which was very helpful, suggested to us that it was one of his favorite books. If you like Follett, and if you are willing to allow a relaxation of the traditional thriller format, we think you will really enjoy this book. We certainly did.

"Paper Money" is a Follett find. Especially for those who want to read everything Follett wrote or anyone who enjoys reading a good writer's early work. Originally published under a pseudonym in England, "Paper Money" appeared in the United States ten years later ­ after the eye-popping success of "Eye of the Needle." This is a good enough story. Drawing on his newspaper experience, Follet tells what happens as the strands of a half dozen Londoners' lives intersect on one fateful day. Millions of dollars are gained and lost. Lives are ended and re-invented. Nobody escapes unscathed. All in less than 24 hours. But what's most intriguing is to catch glimpses of the vintage Follet that make his books instant bestsellers today. Characters, good and bad, you can empathize with. Page-turning plots. Small details that loom large. To be honest, "Paper Money" is not as good as what he's written more recently. He admits that himself in the forward to the American edition. But who would expect it to be? It's still a entertaining, quick read that¹ll leave you asking "what if" about nearly every character at the end of the day.