Paul Mani - Summary of Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook: Conversation Starters

Summary

of

Heads You Win

Jeffrey Archer

Busy Readers Conversation Starters

Paul Mani,

London Sky Press

Please Note: This is an unofficial conversation starters companion work. If you have not yet purchased or read the original work, we encourage you to do so first.

Thank you for purchasing our companion work from London Sky Press. Our mission is to aid readers & groups with ready-to-use discussion materials for further discovery into some of todays most important books.

Copyright 2019 by London Sky Press. All Rights Reserved.

First Published in the United States of America 2019

Disclaimer / Terms of Use: Product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within this publication are the property of their respective trademark holders and are not affiliated with London Sky Press. The publisher and author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of these contents and disclaim all warranties such as warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. This is an unofficial work not authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by the original book's author or publisher and any of their licensees or affiliates.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or retransmitted, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

Tips for Using Conversation Starters:

EVERY GOOD BOOK CONTAINS A WORLD FAR DEEPER THAN the surface of its pages. The characters and their world come alive through the words on the pages, yet the characters and its world still live on. Questions herein are designed to bring us beneath the surface of the page and invite us into the world that lives on. These questions can be used to:

• Foster a deeper understanding of the book
• Promote an atmosphere of discussion for groups
• Assist in the study of the book, either individually or corporately
• Explore unseen realms of the book as never seen before

About Us

THROUGH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND FIELD EXPERTISE, from working with newspaper featured book clubs to local library chapters, we have developed a unique approach to bring out the most interesting parts to the table for discussions. Conversations Starters brings a fresh look into book discussions and brings them to life. Join us as we discuss some of todays most important books.

Table of Contents

H

EADS YOU WIN IS THE LATEST NOVEL BY JEFFREY ARCHER WHO impresses his readers and critics once more for his masterful storytelling. Alexander Karpenko was born in Russia and had a promising future ahead of him but in 1968, his father, a leader who wanted to organize dock workers to fight for their rights, was assassinated. Alex and his mother Elena had to flee their country. They found themselves at the dock, with two cargo ships in front of them, one leaving for New York and the other is heading to London. Mother and son decided to toss a coin and let fate decide which ship to take. Two storylines narrate the lives that the Karpenkos live as they reestablish themselves in a new country, had they chosen one place over the other. Their lives eventually intersect when they go back to Moscow. The novel shows two different endings.

The novel highlights the idea of parallel lives and how this is played out in the character of Alexander, who assumes the name of Sasha when he relocates to London and becomes Alex when he resides in New York. It makes readers think of how their lives would have turned out had they found themselves on a crossroads and decided on one life over the other. The past can not be forgotten, however, and shows Alex/Sasha at the end of the novel back where he was born. The story ends in Leningrad with a surprising twist that shocks many unsuspecting readers.

Alexander's father is portrayed as a well-respected man who wanted to establish a trade union. The novel is fast-paced and features the themes of immigrant lives, romance, and back-handed deals. Publisher's Weekly says the author reuses the elements of his popular works like First Among Equals and Kane and Abel to create his newest novel. He also follows the techniques of the '60s bestselling works of Jacqueline Susann and Harold Robbins to tell the story. The end accordingly uses "a surprise last-sentence kicker that points to the present political moment."

A Goodreads review finds the novel fun to read and is amused by the part where Sasha travels to New York and encounters people who know Alex. On the other hand, Alex visits London and similarly meets people who know Sasha. The question of whether Alex and Sasha will eventually meet looms big in readers' minds. There is also the question of whether the novel is a science fiction or a historical fiction novel. The story is told in the time span of three decades and details the political and historical aspects involving two continents. Readers cite lively characters, and the novel's plot is well-executed and clever. The result is a satisfying, engaging, and intense read. The review rightly cautions the author: "Mr. Archer, if you're listening, my advice is this - don't visit Russia anytime soon, that's all I'm going to say!"

Critics cite the author's ability to write engaging epics. Booklist says Archer's "characterizations are superb." His story has several plot twists that surprise readers. "There are a couple of moments, late in the novel, that should make readers' jaws drop moments so unexpected and surreal that they require a second reading, just to make sure we really just read what we think we did," the review says. An Amazon review says the narrative was confusing that he had to keep checking back in order to keep track of the events and characters. He says he doesn't want to work so hard to read the novel. He did not enjoy reading it. Another Amazon reader says Archer uses irony in a very masterful way. He also uses twists and double twists that keep readers thinking. He believes that it is no coincidence that the book was released in the US on election day. He cautions readers that there are flashbacks that might confuse them. Another Goodreads review says she likes Archer's novels because his protagonists are always shown winning over the bad side. He "proves time and time again with his works that good will always win," the review says. His villains are, however, one dimensional and are often motivated by greed but this does not prevent her from enjoying his books. She thinks the book is an enjoyable read with its "dual story ... that deserves to be unfolded by every reader. There is a possibility that the book is also the beginning of something else and she looks forward to what comes next from the author.

Heads You Win is the praised by critics for being the most creative and ambitious work of New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Archer. He is known for the international bestseller Kane and Abel.

Get Ready to Enter a New World

Tip: Begin with questions dealing with broader issues to ensure ample time for quality discussions. Read through all discussion questions before engaging.