Written by Jeffrey Archer
Leningrad, Russia, 1968.
Alexander Karpenko is no ordinary child, and from an early age, it is clear he is destined to lead his countrymen. But when his father is assassinated by the KGB for defying the state, he and his mother will have to escape from Russia if they hope to survive. At the docks, they are confronted with an irreversible choice: should they board a container ship bound for America, or Great Britain? Alexander leaves that choice to the toss of a coin . . .
In a single moment, a double twist decides Alexander’s future. During an epic tale of fate and fortune, spanning two continents and thirty years, we follow his triumphs and defeats as he struggles as an immigrant to conquer his new world. As this unique story unfolds, Alexander comes to realize where his destiny lies, and accepts that he must face the past he left behind in Russia.
With a final twist that will shock even his most ardent fans, this is international number one bestseller Jeffrey Archer’s most ambitious and creative work since Kane and Abel.
Delightful and Engrossing! 
I have admired Jeffrey Archer’s writing for a long time, ever since burying my nose in Kane and Abel; he delivers every time and this is reminiscent of his previous works – and yet so very different . ..
Put simply, this is the tale of a young Russian boy who learns only too soon what it’s like to live in a totalitarian state – but this is no simple story. When necessity demands that he leave the country of his birth, Alexander has a brief window in which to decide to head to which united country; that of Britain of the states of America. Which should it be?
This is a cleverly woven and engrossing read which, very cleverly, makes a few oblique references to the author’s previous works (blink and you’ll miss them) which all adds to the authenticity as I find all his novels completely believable. Such a fascinating read but it pays never to get too comfortable as there is always a surprise lurking in the wings – and none more so that the ending. Never saw THAT coming!! A truly delightful and encompassing novel which makes the brain work overtime and left me with the feeling of a good book well read!
My thanks to publisher Pan Macmillan for my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
Tags: family life, Russia, USA
- Formats: ebook, paperback, hardcover, audio
- Size: 596 pages
- Publisher: Pan Macmillan
- Publication Date: 1 November 2018
- Purchase Links: Google Play
- Barnes & Noble
- Kobo
- Waterstones
- kindle
Meet the Author
Jeffrey Archer has topped the bestseller lists around the world, with sales of over 275 million copies in 97 countries and more than 37 languages. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey served five years as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons and has served twenty-five years as a Member of the House of Lords.
His latest novel THIS WAS A MAN, the final volume in a seven-book saga called The Clifton Chronicles. was published in hardback in November 2016, and went to #1 in the UK, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and is out in Paperback in May 2017. The penultimate book in the series, COMETH THE HOUR which came out in March 2016, also went to #1 around world, including on the New York Times Besteller List.
Jeffrey is also an art collector, sports lover, and amateur auctioneer, conducting around 30 charity auctions a year.
Grace J Reviewerlady 