Engaging Historical Novel
This 2-volume work was popular in the 1950's
when people took time to read good books.
The Tontine is a precursor of life insurance,
annuities and the lottery. The book follows a
cast of characters in 19th century England for
a period of about 75 years and geographically
from England to France to Jamaica to South
Africa and the USA. As each survivor receives a greater and greater annual sum, we follow events to the last person. Along the way the author lets us feel the daily life of folks in many
strata of 19th century England and the disastrous
effects of international finance and globalization\
(before that word gained currency). Even with
900+ pages it's a 'page turner'.