Title: Old Sins
Author: Penny Vincenzi
First published January 1, 1989
992 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780099672906 (ISBN10: 0099672901)
Rating: 4.12
Overview
OLD SINS: A tale of power, mystery, glamour, and passion. Follow the story of a wealthy family torn apart by a dark secret.
When the patriarch, William Harrington, passes away, his will reveals a shocking twist – a stranger inherits a portion of the family fortune. As the family fights to uncover the truth, they are forced to confront their own demons and reckon with the sins of their past.
Set against the backdrop of the elite world of London’s high society, Old Sins is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and redemption that will keep you hooked until the very end.
About the Author
Penny Vincenzi, a beloved author, passed away on February 25th, leaving behind her family, Headline, and her agent Clare Alexander, who are all grieving. Penny had released her 19th book, A Question of Trust, last year and shared that if the book didn’t sell, it would be her last.
However, she still loved writing and was working on a new book before her passing. Her family encourages readers to explore her previous works, and A Question of Trust will be released in paperback later this year.
Penny Vincenzi was a popular and well-loved author in the UK. Her first book, Old Sins, was published in 1989, and she went on to write sixteen more bestsellers and two collections of stories.
Before her career as an author, Penny worked as a junior secretary for Vogue magazine and later worked for The Daily Mirror, Tatler, and other magazines as a Fashion and Beauty Editor. She sold over seven million copies of her books worldwide and was known as the ‘doyenne of the modern blockbuster’ according to Glamour magazine.
Editoral Review
Penny Vincenzi’s Old Sins first published on January 1, 1989, is a classic novel of power, passion, betrayal, and ambition that has stood the test of time. Vincenzi was a British writer who was best known for her compelling family sagas that explored the lives of the rich and complex characters who inhabit the world of high society in the United Kingdom.
Her novels are known for their rich detail, intricate plotlines, and engaging characters, and Old Sins is no exception. Set in the 1980s, the novel transports the reader to the world of London’s elite, where family secrets, betrayal, and ambition are the order of the day.
The main characters are members of the Lytton family, a powerful British publishing dynasty that is reeling from a scandalous revelation. The family’s patriarch, Jack Lytton, dies, leaving behind a legacy of wealth, power, and secrets.
As the family gathers to mourn his death, they realize that the past is not as buried as they thought, and that old sins have a way of coming back to haunt them. The novel is a sweeping epic that spans several decades, and it takes the reader on a journey through the Lytton family’s triumphs and tragedies, loves and losses, and ultimately, their struggle to come to terms with their own past.
Vincenzi’s writing style is engaging, and she has a knack for creating complex characters with depth and personality. The pacing is fast, and the plot twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.
The author’s attention to detail and historical accuracy is impressive, and the reader feels immersed in the world of the novel. However, the novel can be a bit daunting for some readers, with its dense descriptions and multiple perspectives.
The book is also notably long, clocking in at over 900 pages, which can make it a bit of a commitment for some readers. Old Sins is a must-read for fans of family sagas and historical fiction.
It’s a gripping tale of power, passion, and betrayal that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. The novel is a classic of the genre, and it’s easy to see why Vincenzi is considered one of the greatest writers of British family sagas.
Coupled with the fact that the novel was published more than 30 years ago but still has relevance in today’s world, Old Sins is a book that should be on everyone’s reading list. On a scale of 1 to 5, I would rate this book a 4.5, based on its engrossing plot, vivid characters, and excellent writing.