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Fortune is a Woman
A runaway heiress . . . a legacy of shame . . . an empire built on blood and revenge . . .
The three met in the aftermath of San Francisco's devastating 1906 earthquake—the Mandarin Lai Tsin, a runaway American heiress, and a young Englishwoman. Against all odds they made their dreams come true, building one of the world’s largest trading companies and most luxurious hotels. . . . They had only each other—and bloody secrets to bury even as they rose to dizzying heights, wary of love yet vulnerable to passion in its most dangerous forms. . . . The Mandarin would pass his multi-billion-dollar empire only to the women in the Lai Tsin dynasty—along with one last devastating truth. . . .
Sweeping from the turn of the century through the 1960’s, from the Orient to San Francisco and New York, Elizabeth Adler has written a magnificent novel of new wealth and old privilege, family passions and secret shame, of women surviving, triumphant, in the riveting saga of romantic intrigue.
The three met in the aftermath of San Francisco's devastating 1906 earthquake—the Mandarin Lai Tsin, a runaway American heiress, and a young Englishwoman. Against all odds they made their dreams come true, building one of the world’s largest trading companies and most luxurious hotels. . . . They had only each other—and bloody secrets to bury even as they rose to dizzying heights, wary of love yet vulnerable to passion in its most dangerous forms. . . . The Mandarin would pass his multi-billion-dollar empire only to the women in the Lai Tsin dynasty—along with one last devastating truth. . . .
Sweeping from the turn of the century through the 1960’s, from the Orient to San Francisco and New York, Elizabeth Adler has written a magnificent novel of new wealth and old privilege, family passions and secret shame, of women surviving, triumphant, in the riveting saga of romantic intrigue.
577 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
254 people are currently reading
1663 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Adler
66 books592 followersBorn in Yorkshire, North England, Elizabeth Adler met her husband Richard (an American) while both were working in London. They have lived in England, Ireland, France, Brazil, and the United States and have traveled extensively. They have one daughter and live in Palm Springs, California. Her first novel, Private Desires (also titled Leonie), launched an enormously successful writing career, she also wrote as Ariana Scott. She has now written over twenty internationally acclaimed bestsellers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
September 24, 2013
So at first I thought this book was a bit simply written...kind of like a Danielle Steel book. I continued reading it because it takes place in San Francisco starting right before the 1906 earthquake so I was finding it pretty entertaining and the story drew me in. As I read on, I found myself at times cringing at the injustices the heroine of the story continually had to endure and the book really took the position that most of the men back then were extremely misogynistic (especially the wealthy ones). The book follows three generations and once you get into the characters, it really takes off. The ending threw me for a complete loop...I didn't see it coming at all!! Love a story that does that to me. All in all I would say it's a good, entertaining and somewhat disturbing read and would recommend it.
March 20, 2019
Elizabeth Adler weaves a tale of three characters together through history, family relationships, and romance. Her three characters first meet in the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, but their stories actually start in the late 1800's and wind through the 1900's. The strength of women is displayed throughout the book along with the misogynistic behaviors of men who bring tragedy and misfortune to women throughout their lives.
Francine Harrison is an heiress who is treated like a prisoner by her father. She doesn't fit the social norm of girls of her day, and her father at first ignores, and then cruelly punishes her for the crazy girl he portrays her to be. Her brother continues his father's evil behaviors.
Annie Aysgarth, growing up in England, finds herself also a prisoner of her father in a different way. She becomes a servant to this emotionally stunted widow throughout her early life, robbing her of any chance to become a wife and mother.
Lai Tsin begins life in China under the cruel eye of a father who sells Lai Tsin and a sibling to evil men to be used and abused. After being resold again, Lai ends up on a ship as a cabin boy. He reaches San Francisco to work as a coolie.
All three characters reach into their souls to find strength and perseverance that help propel them to triumph. They also rely on the strength of their friendship with the other two to survive the tragedies of their lives.
This is a family saga that is well worth reading with stunning reveals at the end that I doubt few will expect.
Francine Harrison is an heiress who is treated like a prisoner by her father. She doesn't fit the social norm of girls of her day, and her father at first ignores, and then cruelly punishes her for the crazy girl he portrays her to be. Her brother continues his father's evil behaviors.
Annie Aysgarth, growing up in England, finds herself also a prisoner of her father in a different way. She becomes a servant to this emotionally stunted widow throughout her early life, robbing her of any chance to become a wife and mother.
Lai Tsin begins life in China under the cruel eye of a father who sells Lai Tsin and a sibling to evil men to be used and abused. After being resold again, Lai ends up on a ship as a cabin boy. He reaches San Francisco to work as a coolie.
All three characters reach into their souls to find strength and perseverance that help propel them to triumph. They also rely on the strength of their friendship with the other two to survive the tragedies of their lives.
This is a family saga that is well worth reading with stunning reveals at the end that I doubt few will expect.
December 12, 2017
se lleva las 5, por todos los cielos que las tiene!
Recuerdo que esta lectura la hice en conjunto con una amiga de venezuela (no se imaginan lo que la disfrutamos), y yo en especial me quedé con un shock del cual cada que pienso en este libro lo vuelvo a sufrir, aunque ya desde luego, un poco minimizado que cuando recién iba terminando ese libro. pero es que es un libro espectacular. está perfectamennte bien escrito y estructurado hasta la última página.
Es un libro que tiene mucha historia, pero sobre todo, bastante drama. cada protagonista pasó por ciertos sucesos que marcaron sus vidas, pero lo más impresionante es cómo todas se conjuntan para encontrarse con Lay Tsin, un chino mandarín, del cual su historia va a asombrarte hasta el final. recomendadísimo.
Recuerdo que esta lectura la hice en conjunto con una amiga de venezuela (no se imaginan lo que la disfrutamos), y yo en especial me quedé con un shock del cual cada que pienso en este libro lo vuelvo a sufrir, aunque ya desde luego, un poco minimizado que cuando recién iba terminando ese libro. pero es que es un libro espectacular. está perfectamennte bien escrito y estructurado hasta la última página.
Es un libro que tiene mucha historia, pero sobre todo, bastante drama. cada protagonista pasó por ciertos sucesos que marcaron sus vidas, pero lo más impresionante es cómo todas se conjuntan para encontrarse con Lay Tsin, un chino mandarín, del cual su historia va a asombrarte hasta el final. recomendadísimo.
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August 8, 2011Once again, Adler demonstrates her mastery of character development, as she draws three concurrent plots into a gripping tale beginning in the 1880s.
A dying Mandarin takes his grandchild (and heir) to Hong Kong to show her the origins of the family fortune. In San Francisco, a daughter is born to an extremely wealthy banker, leaving him bitterly disappointed that he did not have a son. And in Yorkshire, England, a twelve-year-old girl loses her mother and her youth as she steps into the role of caring for her father and brothers. Flashbacks lead us to a fascinating story of how these three different lives blend together beginning with the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
When one becomes familiar enough with a particular author, it’s fairly easy to anticipate the style of the content – usually similar from book to book. But, this amazing demonstration of Adler’s superb story telling ability incorporates an astounding twist that left my jaw on my chest. I never even slightly expected it was coming. A VERY good read.
A dying Mandarin takes his grandchild (and heir) to Hong Kong to show her the origins of the family fortune. In San Francisco, a daughter is born to an extremely wealthy banker, leaving him bitterly disappointed that he did not have a son. And in Yorkshire, England, a twelve-year-old girl loses her mother and her youth as she steps into the role of caring for her father and brothers. Flashbacks lead us to a fascinating story of how these three different lives blend together beginning with the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
When one becomes familiar enough with a particular author, it’s fairly easy to anticipate the style of the content – usually similar from book to book. But, this amazing demonstration of Adler’s superb story telling ability incorporates an astounding twist that left my jaw on my chest. I never even slightly expected it was coming. A VERY good read.
August 12, 2013
Wonderful book.Loved the story, the characters, and the writing.
I had unresolved questions as I read, and the closer I got to the ending I was sure that I missed something, but Eliazabeth Adler did an incredible job of tying everything up in a neat bow! I highly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy reading family sagas.
I had unresolved questions as I read, and the closer I got to the ending I was sure that I missed something, but Eliazabeth Adler did an incredible job of tying everything up in a neat bow! I highly recommend this book, especially to those who enjoy reading family sagas.
March 16, 2007
This is one of the best books I ever read. Never give up and things are not always what you think.
May 21, 2008
This book left an impression on me. The twist at the ending was so brilliant. I will always say that this is by far one of my favorite books.
May 8, 2016
O carte minunata!
O recomand!
Are un final cu totul neasteptat.
Povestea unei fete din aristocratia din San Francisco si a unui Mandarin - un chinez dintr-un satuc indepartat din China.
O recomand!
Are un final cu totul neasteptat.
Povestea unei fete din aristocratia din San Francisco si a unui Mandarin - un chinez dintr-un satuc indepartat din China.
June 27, 2008
It's been years since I read this book and while I don't remember the details I still remember loving it. I read it while backpacking through Europe with friends and couldn't put it down (we had lots of train time!). I will re-read this one to make sure it deserves the rating my memory is giving it.
March 12, 2009
My aunt recommended this book to me several years ago, when I was still a teenager. I read it, forgot about it, but remembered little points to the plotline. I picked it up again in my early twenties and I've read this book several times since and I'm always impressed by the strength of the characters and the grace that they show under pressure. Definately one of my favorites!
December 2, 2014
I couldn't put this book down and was totally captivated with each chapter. I highly recommend!!
February 23, 2015
Gave it two for you Bon Bon or would have given 1. Too romance novel for me...sorry!
October 14, 2018
I loved this book. The book takes place mainly in San Francisco in the 1920s-1930s, with scenes in China, where one character hails from, and England, where another character comes from. Three characters who are products of either totally dysfunctional families or terrible socioeconomic circumstances meet and become best of friends and hugely successful. I couldn't put it down. I can't say much more without spoiling but the end is a little confusing and I had to re-read the beginning and the end again to fully understand it. But it didn't take away from how much I enjoyed this incredible read!
January 30, 2019
4 enjoyable stars. Excellent character development and masterful story telling. Not everything needs to be literary fiction to be a GOOD READ!
August 26, 2018
Really interesting and adventurous story.
September 15, 2018
Dawno nie czytałam tak ciekawej i zaskakującej historii obrazujacej siłę i poświęcenia kobiet. Nie 5 ale jak dla mnie 10 gwiazdek
July 1, 2016
Ok. So I didn't actually read this today. It's bloody long, and I read it years ago.
But!
I loved it back then, and possibly decades later, I remember it still. I actually recommended this one to someone, which is what made me seek it out and read over random pages to remind myself why I thought it was a good idea. So.
Now that I've prompted myself, here's the deal.
This is a multi generational saga. If you're looking for a quick and easy train read, this possibly is not for you. This book requires a sunny corner, comfy cushions, and copious amounts of your favourite snacks. In other words, it's long as fuck.
EA paints pictures with her words. It's poeticism at it's most 90s best. She's descriptive, romantic, and makes you fall in love with her characters because of who they are - not because she tells you to.
EA is the first author I read, as a teen, who made me think heroines were not a plot device. Because of her I realised heroines were actually worthy characters to read about.
The ending makes me want to kiss someone. Anyone, if I'm honest.
Bit long.
Bit Danielle Steele, classic romance, Mills & Boon-ish if you're not prepared.
Written in the 90s, this book is surprisingly ahead of it's time. And despite it's age, when I fished it out today as a rec, I decided to throw it in the re-read stack for July. Good writing, too.
But!
I loved it back then, and possibly decades later, I remember it still. I actually recommended this one to someone, which is what made me seek it out and read over random pages to remind myself why I thought it was a good idea. So.
Now that I've prompted myself, here's the deal.
This is a multi generational saga. If you're looking for a quick and easy train read, this possibly is not for you. This book requires a sunny corner, comfy cushions, and copious amounts of your favourite snacks. In other words, it's long as fuck.
EA paints pictures with her words. It's poeticism at it's most 90s best. She's descriptive, romantic, and makes you fall in love with her characters because of who they are - not because she tells you to.
EA is the first author I read, as a teen, who made me think heroines were not a plot device. Because of her I realised heroines were actually worthy characters to read about.
The ending makes me want to kiss someone. Anyone, if I'm honest.
Bit long.
Bit Danielle Steele, classic romance, Mills & Boon-ish if you're not prepared.
Written in the 90s, this book is surprisingly ahead of it's time. And despite it's age, when I fished it out today as a rec, I decided to throw it in the re-read stack for July. Good writing, too.
October 10, 2013
It took me a while to get into it, but then I couldn't put it down. It's the gripping tale of the entwined lives of three people who couldn't be more different; the Chinese peasant, the English old maid and the abused daughter of a wealthy San Francisco family. They meet after the earthquake and fire, and this story tells their beginnings, as well as their story beyond. Very gripping -- just what I'm looking for in historical fiction. Why, oh why, is it so hard to find books like this?
May 23, 2015
I do love sweeping sagas of the historical romance genre and this was no exception. The good male characters in this story are totally overpowered by the vengeful, rotten ones whose life mission seems to be to do away with the daughter and sister, Francie. But it dragged me in and each night I was chewing through the pages, at the end of each chapter telling myself just one more before going to bed. The ending makes it completely memorable.
August 31, 2020
Este es un libro que nos recuerda lo difícil que ha sido, en la historia de la mujer, encontrar una posición en el mundo de los negocios, a través de una apasionante novela llena de riqueza, poder, pasiones y posesiones.
Es una historia muy entretenida de leer que nos sorprende de inicio a fin, sobre todo en el final!!
Todos los personajes del libro están muy bien descritos, con personalidades misteriosas que te llevan a comprender lo que pasa totalmente y sentirte en sus zapatos.
Es una historia muy entretenida de leer que nos sorprende de inicio a fin, sobre todo en el final!!
Todos los personajes del libro están muy bien descritos, con personalidades misteriosas que te llevan a comprender lo que pasa totalmente y sentirte en sus zapatos.
January 17, 2016
I have read this book 3 times. I finally wanted my own copy and had to really search and ended up with a paperback. The story flows beautifully and the ending is a big surprise. Even though I have read it so many times and know the ending, I still am drawn to read it once again. The next time is close.
August 3, 2007
This was the first book I had ever read by this writer and it was so good I was hooked. I have not found another book by her that has grabbed me this way, but she is still very good. I would recommend this book!!!
January 14, 2009
One of my FAVORITE all time books! The best of Elizabeth Adler...a MUST read! I haven't read it in a long time - I have probably purchased this book a half dozen times - it is my favorite to loan out!! :)
July 20, 2009
I can only say one thing - the ending is not what you will expect it to be. I must say, I've never been fooled like this book fooled me :-)But it was great, the descriptions of characters and places were very vivid and so well-written.
May 16, 2012
Really loved this book especially the ending. I can't even imagine the hardship women went through back then. We really are blessed in so many ways as women today. I just hope some day all the world will understand that woman are smart, powerful, courageous and beautiful.
June 18, 2016
A great saga set around the time of the San Francisco earthquake and the three people who are thrown together by chance. It took me a while to get into the almost 500 page book but once I did, I was hooked. Loved the twist at the end.
August 15, 2016
I wish they had all capsized in the China Sea at about page 350. Too many pages and too long an investment of time for a second rate romance novel. It was assigned for Book Club or I wouldn't have even known about it.
June 26, 2022
Me encantó la manera de escribir de la autora! Te transporta a diferentes ciudades y te describe todo con un detalle que no aburre y deseas saber más. Excelente historia entrelazando a varios personajes. El final es espectacular
July 31, 2012
Will always be one of my very favorite books.I read it many years ago and then more recently. Love, love, love it!!
March 3, 2014
Extremely interesting twist at the end that gave the book a truly authentic feel, rich with emotion and empathy for great characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews