Novel : Jeffrey Archer : First Among Equals

Charles Seymour was unlucky to be born 8 minutes later to his brother which deprived him of the earl status,a castle in Scotland, 22000 acres of somerset. But Charles had the potential of both the brothers put together, and the desire to succeed in life. He understood early in life that he would have to work that much harder to earn his place in history.

Simon Kerslake was born to a solicitor who did everything possible to get his son educated in the best of schools. Simon was known for his tanacity. He was not one of those who would leave things the way they were. When he applied to Oxford and missed a seat in History, he was determined and waited in front of the Admissions office. At the first opportunity he met the admissions officer and convinced him that the seat left vacent by one of the other students should be given to him as he narrowly missed a seat at oxford.

Raymond Gourd, aka Ray, was born to a butcher. He used to stay with his Grand Mother in a room on the first floor. She was the person whom he admired the most. His father could not afford his education. His mother somehow managed to squeeze him through. The day he gave his first speech in front of the audience he got a standing ovation, the first ever. Every one was so moved that the clapping continued for a very long time. It was the story of his grand mother. And the title of the speech was, the day I become the prime-minister.

Andrew Fraser was a born politician. His father was from teh Conservative party and represented one of the sections of scotland. It was taken for fact that Andrew would one day inherit his father and represet the reagon as a conservative. Little did his father know that Andrew had different plans.



My Impression
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I have been reading 30 pages each day for the past 15 days. I was so involved with the novel that I felt as if Charles, Simon, Ray and Andrew had become my second family.
I could easly realte to the characters. I became part of their desires, ambitions, success, failures.
I could feel the happiness, sadness of Louise, Kate,Elizabeth, Joyce, Fiona, Dunkinn, Amanda.
I could appreciate the characters Ronnie, Reynolds.

The Novel effortless moves between the private and public lives of these Conservative and Labour Party MPs. The desires of each of the 4 MPs. The election results which lift or dampen their hopes of gaining a bigger foothold in the British Parliament.

The rise and fall of the First among equally indeed.I was totally Involved with their activities.
I would consider it a fine piece of work by Jeffery Archer. Very Engaging.

I would give an 8 out of 10 and a thumbs up for the novel.