Χρυσή χήρα

by Michael Korda, Γιώργος Μπαρουξής

Η Αλέξα Γουόλντεν έχει ένα μόνο στόχο: να εκτελέσει τις επιθυμίες του ανθρώπου που αγαπούσε. Αλλά αυτό είναι αρκετό για να της ανοίξει πόλεμο η οικογένειά του. Έναν πόλεμο στον οποίο τα μυστικά του παρελθόντος θα γίνουν θανάσιμα όπλα στα χέρια των εχθρών της, έναν πόλεμο στον οποίο θα κινδυνέψει η ίδια η ζωή της. Καθώς η Αλέξα προσπαθεί να εκτελέσει τα σχέδια πού είχε ο Άρθουρ Μπάνερμαν για το μέλλον της αμύθητης περιουσίας του, συγκρούεται με όλα τα μέλη της οικογένειάς του:

-Την Ελεάνορ Μπάνερμαν, τη μητέρα του, που κυβερνά την αυτοκρατορία με σιδερένια πυγμή από τη μυθική έπαυλη, την Κιάθα.

-Τον Ρόμπερτ Μπάνερμαν, τον όμορφο κι ανήθικο γιο του Άρθουρ, ένα φιλόδοξο πολιτικό που θέλει να πάρει τον έλεγχο της αυτοκρατορίας για να γίνει πρόεδρος των Η.Π.Α. Ο Ρόμπερτ θα γοητεύσει την Αλέξα, για να την αναγκάσει να παραβλέψει το ρίσκο της αντίστασης σ' έναν άνθρωπο που δεν έχει περιθώρια να χάσει...

s - Τη Σεσίλια Μπάνερμαν, κόρη του Άρθουρ, θύμα της μυστικής οικογενειακής τραγωδίας που θα τη στρέψει εναντίον του πατέρα της...


«Ο κόσμος που δημιουργεί ο Michael Korda είναι πολύπλοκος, επικίνδυνος και φοβερά συναρπαστικός. Είναι έργο ενός κορυφαίου μυθυστοριογράφου».

BOOKSELLER

Genres: Fiction, Romance

665 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

is an English-born writer and novelist who was editor-in-Chief of Simon & Schuster in New York City.

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A massive family fortune is willed to a young widow. Alexa marries Arthur Bannerman and their honeymoon ends with his death. Despite the 40 year age difference, Alexa quickly picks up on the business and family dynamics of “the fortune” as the estate is referred to. Both Alexa and Arthur’s son Robert have some dark past secrets which they use against each other during the fight for the fortune.

Through a psychological interaction with the family dynasty Alexa matures and carries on her husband’s wishes. Alexa is the new blood and freshness the Bannerman family did not expect. Her faithfulness to carry out Arthur’s wishes with the fortune causes the family much turmoil since they are used to things running very smoothly.

[Constance Lechman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel.
Reminds me of an old, elegant black and white Hollywood movie, with big, bold characters and colourful, aristocratic scenes in NYC and country estates.
I took my time and savoured it.

[Diane Miller]

03/21 verygood

[Valerie Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book when I first read in in 1989. I don't feel it's aged well.

[Lookout · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the kind of book you can read on a rainy day, by nightfall the book will be finished and you'll be quite satisfied. I was entertained and enjoyed it a lot as I got to know the different characters of the fictional-multimillionare-family Bannerman.

Alexandra Walden is the young wannabe-fashionmodel who stirs things up in a aristocratic family when she is to inherit a huge Fortune from her newly deceased husband.

As I mentioned, I found it great on a rainy day when I was looking to read something light and entertaining!

[Everydayreader1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexa Walden is a young woman who has come to New York and is working at making a life for herself. She meets Arthur Bannerman, a very wealthy older man, and her life will never be the same.

I first read this book not long after its initial publication. It has stayed with me all these years, and I decided to reread it. The romance and intrigue were every bit as enjoyable the second time around; and the quality of the writing is superb, in my opinion.

[Francesca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I was 14 when I read it and I loved it back at the time. It's not a masterpiece, but it's easy to read, the story is interesting and you really end up feeling close to Alexa. You really want her to be happy.

[Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel by Michael Korda I have read that is not about celebrities. This is a novel about crime without being a mystery.

[Sskous · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy, fun book. story was good and writing well done.

[Rosie Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a Cinderella story, but well-written with good descriptions of people, places and things.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possibly my favorite of his books? Engrossing, trashy, lots of fun.

[Happpy Flower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unbelievable, but entertaining. Rather outdated in terms of historical and cultural references. (Nixon, Onassis, Balenciaga.)

[Cws]

F Kor

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a great journey and a picture of life in the fast lane. Good read