The Prodigal Daughter, by Jeffrey Archer

American politics, pursuit of happiness and the American way are all wrapped up in this moving family saga.  I love this story of ambition and family ties, and I’m obligated to issue a page turner warning! This story is so engaging it’s hard to put it down.

For irony, it’s written by an English storyteller and hit number one on the New York Times Best Seller List on July 4, 1982.  It’s a timeless book, and its premise of who will be the first woman President of the United States has not yet been answered.

A sequel to Archer’s “Kane and Abel,” you can easily dive right in with this novel and not feel like you’ve missed a thing. This book stands successfully on its own.

You’ll witness this Polish immigrant family’s saga in America in the 20th century through good times and rough times. Florentyna is the cherished only child of Polish immigrants Abel and Zaphia Rosnovski. Abel began work in America as a hotel busboy. You’ll read of his meteoric rise, working and learning the business and then heading up his own multi-city hotel empire. It’s compelling to read of his dreams for his business and his other personal dreams, and then see his actions and the consequences.

As a baby, Florentyna’s first word is an attempt at “President.” That begins a recurring theme in her life. Reading of her childhood and seeing what incidents and which people shape her character and personality is fascinating. She maintains an interest in politics and being the President, but destiny has its own path ahead, and there is a fork in it.

A Romeo and Juliet family feud detour does not kill our heroine; instead it launches her very successful business career and begins her own family. She builds her business enterprise from the ground up. Her adult life is exciting, but being a prodigal daughter leaves an ache that is matched by the hole in her father’s heart. Eventually it is her time to enter into politics, and she does so with great enthusiasm.

The author has said he’s genuinely fascinated by America and would have loved to have been born here. He has many friends and contacts in national politics in Washington D.C. who were helpful in how he shaped the story. He says the exciting politics is in America. His research for this book was meticulous in detail.  He also used “The Power and the Glory” by William Manchester for background information and for flavor.

Descriptions of back room wheeling and dealing with people’s loyalties will keep you on the edge of your seat. Characters’ struggles with ethical questions and the lure of greed will have you cheering and jeering.

Does Florentyna become America’s first woman President?  Thereby hangs a tale . . . . .

— By Wendy Kendall

Wendy Kendall is a writer, project manager, wedding officiant and volunteer at the Edmonds Library. She’s enjoyed living in Edmonds for over 20 years.