Fortune's Hand
Grade : D

The cover flap of Fortune's Hand claims that the book is about "temptation, betrayal, greed - and of the redeeming power of love." I have no quarrel with the first three adjectives, but if there is any redeeming love in this book I sure couldn't find it. This is a depressing, unpleasant novel about one man's poor choices and the horrible consequences.

Robb MacDaniel's life changes abruptly when both of his parents die in a car accident. He was about to marry his high school sweetheart and begin a career as a teacher in a small town. But now he has insurance money, and he can fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a lawyer. So he takes off for the "capitol city," and promises to marry his sweetheart when he finishes school three years hence.

One thing leads to another, and Robb ends up ditching his fiance in favor of a new woman. They marry, are happy for a while, and then Robb begins his gradual descent into greed and betrayal. There's a little more to the plot, but not much. Now and then the plot focuses in the girl Robb left behind, who remains bitter over the years. I kept thinking some kind of point would be made by showing this other woman, but her occasional appearances serve no apparent purpose.

Fortune's Hand is fiction, not romance, so I wouldn't expect a happy ending as a prerequisite. But if a book is going to be thoroughly depressing, there should at least be something to keep the reader entertained. If the characters had been interesting, or the novel well-crafted, reading it would have been much more worthwhile. Unfortunately all this book has to offer is a predictable plot (everything is foreshadowed so the reader can see it coming) and stilted, unnatural dialogue.

There are a couple of real oddities. The first is Plain's refusal to identify a specific setting. The characters refer to "the law school" and "the capitol" and "the gulf," in a style that is vaguely reminiscent of nineteenth century novels in which characters always reside in _____shire. I had the feeling it was supposed to be set in Baton Rouge, but I didn't understand why the author wouldn't come right out and say so. A more fully-realized setting probably wouldn't have saved this novel, but it would have helped.

Also, in case anyone thinks that editing errors only happen in mid-list books, this book contains an obvious one. Robb's future wife notes to herself that virgins were a rarity in 1975. Not one page earlier is a chapter heading, with the date "1973" in a large type face. Apparently editing is suffering everywhere lately.

Belva Plain has penned several best-selling novels, so she must have legions of fans out there. Unfortunately, the appeal of her work is not evident in Fortune's Hand. If you are a real Plain admirer and don't mind that this book is a tremendous downer, perhaps you would enjoy this it. Otherwise, I can't imagine paying $26.00 hardcover to read about greed and adultery in "capitol city."

Reviewed by Blythe Smith
Grade : D
Book Type: Fiction

Sensuality: Subtle

Review Date : July 5, 1999

Publication Date: 2000

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Blythe Smith

I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
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