Rob McDaniels, a schoolteacher with noble intentions, comes into a little money, enabling him to go to law school. Upon graduation he goes to work for a fine honourable firm and marries the daughter of the senior partner, leaving behind the hometown girl he had planned to marry. From then on his career brings him enormous successes but then takes a shocking turn that changes his life and the life of his family, and reverberates into the next generation. With the magic of a born storyteller, bestselling author Belva Plain unfolds the devastating tale of a man whose dreams come true. Fortune's Hand is a novel of temptation, betrayal and greed - and of the redeeming power of love.
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Book Description
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Prolific author Belva Plain turns her discerning attention once more to the complexity of the human condition in Fortune . High-powered lawyer Robb McDaniel learns too late that dreams are more easily lost than won, and that life sometimes takes on a complexion all of its own, when he pursues and achieves "success," as measured by standards not his own or his family's. Along the way, Robb indelibly touches other lives: Lily, his high-school sweetheart and former fiancée; Ellen, his estranged wife who is in love with another man; and Julie, his daughter who has grown up before Robb realized what was happening. For Belva Plain fans, the sometimes-unlikely dialogue fails to detract from the message of a life gone astray. In truth, Plain's painfully literal plot reminds us all to remain vigilant, to continually monitor the progress and process of our lives, else we wake one day to find it and ourselves unrecognizable. --Alison Trinkle
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Plain adroitly crafts bestsellers (Homecoming, Secrecy, Promises, etc.), lacing modern morality tales with current issues and old-fashioned melodrama, often creating emotionally resilient, believable characters, and sometimes generating clich?s just to smooth the path to true love. Her latest effort starts off predictably as earnest young Robb MacDaniel leaves his loyal fianc?e, Lily, in the small Southern town where they grew up, in order to pursue a law degree, using insurance money from an accident that has killed his parents. In the big city, Robb falls for Ellen, the Wellesley-educated daughter of local legal icon Wilson Grant. Marrying Ellen, Robb firmly steps up the ladder of success, casting off ideals, as he cast off Lily, at each rung. Robb's professional rise and moral descent drive him to increasingly desperate acts, but he doesn't allow his struggles with regret to thwart his ambition. Plain keeps the tissue count low in this tearjerker by focusing on RobbAalthough her sympathies are clearly with the long-suffering women who love him. Because of the novel's New South location and legal-ethics theme, it occasionally seems to misstep into Grisham territory. Plain is much surer on domestic ground, such as when she unravels the family secrets and emotions surrounding Robb and Ellen's retarded son. Unsentimental supporting characters (Lily's mom, Robb's best friend) also help make this one of her most convincing tales of personal choice and human weakness.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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First Sentence
He knew he was lying on the ground because there was dampness under his back, and because he smelled fresh grass. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
He knew he was lying on the ground because there was dampness under his back, and because he smelled fresh grass. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Shelly
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I read Evergreen many years ago (and thoroughly enjoyed it), this was the first Belva Plain book I had picked up since - what a mistake! It was the worst book I have read in a long time. The characters were unlikeable, no worthy traits whatsoever and the character development was very poor. The timeline of the story didn't hold any meaning either - it was set in the 1970's to late 1990's, there was no evidence of this at all, it could have been 1870's with the way Robb expressed himself. Old fashioned, questionable sentiments and POOR story! Don't bother picking this one up!
By Detra Fitch
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Belva Plain has made another story worthy of being made into a mini series. I can only hope it happens someday! In this one, Robb MacDaniel's life changes when he goes to law school. He leaves behind his home town, as well as, "the girl next door". He marries another generous woman named Ellie. As time goes by, Robb's career bring enormous successes and money is no longer a concern. However, soon money is all that matters. Robb never understands that cash in the bank is not the same as owning as much as possible.
Belva Plain also shows the effects all this has on Ellie, his two children, as well as the the girl he left behind all those years ago. Surprise ending! The thing I love best about Belva Plain's writing is that she can create a wonderful and realistic story, without using all the harsh language so many other authors use. Highly recommended reading!
By ShayShay
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I liked the story for the first 50 pages, but after that it kept getting boring. I have read other books by Belva Plain and I have to say that this was the one that I liked the least. Her stories begin to develop a pattern and her style of writing is no longer exciting. I wouldn't suggest reading this book unless there isn't another one within 10 miles.
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2.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Relax for a while with a "good read"
Robb McDaniel has his life all planned out. He will marry his high school sweetheart, Lily, teach at the high school and maybe eventually become the school principal. Read more
Published on Jan 25 2001 by Amy Leemon
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointing
I have read all of Belva Plain's novels. This book was so disappointing. The beginning of the story captured my interest but by the middle it became boring. Read more
Published on Aug 18 2000 by Judith L. Boro
2.0 out of 5 stars
A Laborious Read
I have always enjoyed Belva Plain's books, so "Fortune's Hand" was a big disappointment. I labored through this book, hoping it would get better, but believe me, it... Read more
Published on July 25 2000
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not one of her best
I have always been a Belva Plain fan. I couldn't wait for her books to be published! After having read her latest two: "Fortune's Hand" and "After the Fire",... Read more
Published on July 15 2000
4.0 out of 5 stars
FORTUNE'S HAND KNOCKED TOO MANY TIMES ON THIS DOOR
At one time, Belva Plain was one of my favorite authors and I'd read each book she wrote on the day it hit the stores. Read more
Published on Jun 19 2000 by Nancy Martin
1.0 out of 5 stars
Stupid
I read it so I gave it a star. Why did I read it? I was desperate. It was the only book I could lay my hands on. And it was bad, very bad, very, very, very bad. Read more
Published on Jun 6 2000 by C. Lacher
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Her Best Work.
I was extremely disappointed in this book. I normally enjoy her books and typically spend my reading time rooting for the hero or heroine to resolve whatever the issue is (spousal... Read more
Published on Jun 3 2000 by Debbie Coulter
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I'd like to get my money back on this loser of a story by Belva Plain. One-dimensional characters for whom I felt little empathy were disconnected emotionally except for a... Read more
Published on Jun 2 2000 by Carol W. Levy
2.0 out of 5 stars
Promises more than it delivers
It was so disappointingly predictable and "boilerplate". I suppose, afterall, how many different ways can you describe a romance and marriage, with all its many forks in... Read more
Published on Jun 2 2000
3.0 out of 5 stars
An easy to read escape novel
This book starts out well with the underprivileged country boy (Robb MacDaniel) deciding to change his life (and unfortunately the life of his long-time sweetheart) by going to law... Read more
Published on May 5 2000
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