Pride and Avarice Paperback – April 26, 2011

but a very good read, all the same. Nicholas Coleridge is a British writer who has been "discovered" in the US.This novel, "Pride and Avarice" was published in the UK last year under the title "Deadly Sins". I've read all three of his previous novels, and have found them to be very good takes at the British social mores. I reviewed "A Much Married Man", giving it five stars."Pride and Avarice" is good, not great, story of two men - both wealthy - at great odds with each other. Miles Straker, a British PR genius - resents his new neighbor, Ross Clegg, a self-made millionaire, who moves into Straker's sphere of influence. Straker tries to destroy Clegg, and nearly does. It's a story that's been told a thousand times before. Coleridge does a good job at knowing the ins and outs of British public and private life, but the characters, both primary and supporting, come off as somewhat "flat". The story is better than the characterization, but that's okay, the story holds its own. The novel is enjoyable.I normally don't comment on the price of books, but I am impressed here that "Pride and Avarice" is priced at $26.00, retail. With book prices edging higher and higher, this book is priced quite nicely.

My Brit husband has a formidable task of purchasing books for me for holiday or other special times that I have not read. Granted, he could check my Amazon Account but that would not include outside purchases, gifts from others or books borrowed from friends.He knows I have an affinity for Julian Fellowes'  Snobs  and  Past Imperfect: A Novel  so, with fingers crossed, he gave this to me at Christmas. No, it did not have the gossipy style with strong, realistic characters of a Fellowes' multi-layered work. Still I found this to be an entertaining read especially with the lead character being in British PR as had my now retired husband. There were many PR people and instances that were right on the nose. My husband read the book after I finished it and could not believe its uncanny parallel to PR reality. Thank God my husband was no Milo!This is a light, enjoyable read with the characters who never deviate from their good or bad personas. The storyline is predictable but likeable. The synopsis has been well detailed by other reviewers so I won't repeat it here.I enjoyed his book enough to check out his older works and will look for newer novels on the Amazon UK site.All in all a 3.5 Star experience.Enjoy the read!

I had to finish it because it was full of surprises and twists and turns. Good soap opera. It was sometimes a slow read.

Coleridge is a master story-teller, showing up the idle and selfish, old and new- rich for the fakes they are, interspersed with sympathetic characters. I usually give his books 5 stars, but this one, so eagerly awaited did not seem to hold my attention quite as much as his earlier books. A good read.

The plot moves very slowly and just isn't entertaining. I checked how much progress I made in the book, convinced I had to be at least 75% done, and I wasn't even halfway through. I couldn't sit through the rest of it.

I love Mr. Coleridge work but I felt that this book was a bit boring at points. Somethings were too expected and not surprising. There also was too many technical terms of work and not enough focus on personal drama.

Reminds me of Jilly Cooper. Great writing style and even greater cast of characters. I plan to read all the works of this author. Pure literary fun.

Nicholas Coleridge, an Englishman,is an excellent author and writes great books. I have read four books that he has written and "Pride and Avarice" is one of his best. If you like this book, you should read "Godfather" and "A Much Married Man". I am glad that Amazon carries his books.