Paper Money

I have read many of Follett's books, but this one was very slow and
not interesting. I would give it only l star. It was not worth the money.
Ymelda De Vargas

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.

I loved Pillars of the Earth. Then I ordered three early Ken Follett books which he wrote under a different name. Paper Money is a terrific tale of the banking business in England in the 1800's. The banking family are all great characters. Murder, Mayhem and money. A great read.

Follett writes an introduction to this book and explains that in this early novel the plot was too complex and their were too many characters that didn't get enough development. So Follett admits, this isn't the best book, but it was still entertaining, even if the end was abrupt.

The plot revolves around an British politician who is seduced by a young woman then blackmailed into revealing who wins a government oil contract. Also, financial wizard Felix Laski tells a henchman Tony Cox the location of a delivery of money to be destroyed.

The plot then follows the money being stolen and Laski wheeling and dealing to buy the company that won the oil contract. All of this information is filtered through a newspaper office where the reporters must decide what to print and what not to print. The only intrigue lies in will the reporters discover the scheme and will they print it, and will some of the bad guys get there due. For an early novel, this isn't bad, but is extremely obvious that Follett improved greatly after this book.

Paper money is short and good read for a Follett fan, but not anyone else.

This was written before the best selling Eye of the Needle back in 1976 and under a pseudonym. Follett considers it his best unsuccessful book. I consider it an interesting opportunity to see an early effort from a well known author. The story takes place in one day and involves about a half dozen people who have no idea how their lives are becoming interlinked by events. Were he to write the same story today, it would probably be tied together a bit differently and would be fleshed out a little more, but all the ingredients are there and if you have been a fan of this author, it is well worth your time to read this one.