A Place Called Freedom/ The Modigliani Scandal

by Ken Follett

Paperback - Two novels in one by Ken Follett A Place Called Freedom - Born into separate worlds, Mack and Lizzie are thrown together when Mack becomes an enemy of the state and is forced to flee his homeland. Lizzie aids his escape, and it is not long before passions rage in the old world as well as the new. The Modigliani Scandal - Is Modigliani's missing masterpiece a priceless lost treasure or a chillingly dangerous game. Up and coming artist Peter Usher has still to make even a modest mark on the London art scene, but he soon finds himself caught up in a race to uncover the shadowy figures behind a breathtaking scam.

847 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Ken Follett is one of the world’s most successful authors. Over 170 million copies of the 36 books he has written have been sold in over 80 countries and in 33 languages.

Born on June 5th, 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, the son of a tax inspector, Ken was educated at state schools and went on to graduate from University College, London, with an Honours degree in Philosophy – later to be made a Fellow of the College in 1995.

He started his career as a reporter, first with his hometown newspaper the South Wales Echo and then with the London Evening News. Subsequently, he worked for a small London publishing house, Everest Books, eventually becoming Deputy Managing Director.

Ken’s first major success came with the publication of Eye of the Needle in 1978. A World War II thriller set in England, this book earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America. It remains one of Ken’s most popular books.

In 1989, Ken’s epic novel about the building of a medieval cathedral, The Pillars of the Earth, was published. It reached number one on best-seller lists everywhere and was turned into a major television series produced by Ridley Scott, which aired in 2010. World Without End, the sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, proved equally popular when it was published in 2007.

Ken’s new book, The Evening and the Morning, will be published in September 2020. It is a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth and is set around the year 1,000, when Kingsbridge was an Anglo-Saxon settlement threatened by Viking invaders.

Ken has been active in numerous literacy charities and was president of Dyslexia Action for ten years. He was chair of the National Year of Reading, a joint initiative between government and businesses. He is also active in many Stevenage charities and is President of the Stevenage Community Trust and Patron of Home-Start Hertfordshire.

Ken, who loves music almost as much as he loves books, is an enthusiastic bass guitar player. He lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, with his wife Barbara, the former Labour Member of Parliament for Stevenage. Between them they have five children, six grandchildren and two Labradors.

Reviews

[Andrea George · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been years since I've read a Ken Follett novel. I came across "A Place Called Freedom" and based on the summary, it sounded like an interesting read. Overall, the characters, plot and setting were well-written. I found it interesting enough, that I read the 407 page novel in two days. "A Place Called Freedom" starts off in Scotland in 1766. The reader is introduced to the McAsh and Jamisson families. The McAsh family, along with the majority of the other families residing in the Scottish highlands, work in the coal mines owned by the Jamisson family. The families that work in the coal mines are considered slaves. They are basically owned by the Jamisson family, receiving minimal pay with not rights and no chance for a different kind of life. As the next generation of the families evolve, there is dissention and turmoil among the families. A good read, with the exception of too much graphic detail.

[Huguette Larochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

never disappointed with Ken Follet.
I listen to the audio ,.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not great, but ok.

[Jim Moffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

10-05

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just simple entertainment, easy read

[Abhilasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of time...