The Rich Are With You Always

Stevenson Saga #2

by Malcolm MacDonald

The gripping second novel in the classic Stevenson Family Saga from epic master Malcolm Macdonald At a time when fabulous fortunes could be made through the will of a strong man or the wiles of a beautiful woman, John Stevenson's genius as a builder and his wife Nora's clear-eyed, brilliant cunning promise to make them one of England's richest families. But as their fate becomes more and more entwined with that of their friends the Thorntons-repressed and pious Arabella and secretive, sex-obsessed Walter-whispers of scandal and disgrace threaten to bring them all to ruin. The second novel in the classic Stevenson Family Saga, The Rich Are with You Always is the epic story of two families at the height of the railroad boom, where the lives of the Victorian people rose economically and set in motion forces of passion and struggle that would define a people. "A luxuriant, wide-ranging novel... Malcolm Macdonald knows how to grip the reader..."
-Boston Globe "Rich and exciting...the heir to R.F. Delderfield!"
-Washington Star "For sheer storytelling it is hard to beat Malcolm Macdonald. Each separate incident is as gripping as the story as a whole [with] a scrupulous care for period detail."
- W.J. Nesbitt Northern Echo "Engrosssing...a book to revel in!"
-Charleston Evening Post

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

510 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Also under the names:
Malcolm Ross-MacDonald
Malcolm Ross
M.R. O'Donnell

Reviews

[Sharon Dodge]

It would be unfair to judge this book against its predecessor, but one can't help but do so; the original novel, World from Rough Stones, is such an extraordinarily powerful novel with so much drive and emotion I was breathless on every page. In the sequel, the odds are no longer so overwhelming, and even the author's efforts to make it so can't hide the fact that even if the lovely Stephensons are to go bankrupt, they will likely never see the abject poverty and starvation they struggled to break out of in book one. And though the sequel is easier to read without that charming, near-impossible dialect of the first book, and should be the more enjoyable for it, I found to my sadness that the richness of the historical ambience is harder to feel with the boring, well-spoken English of the upper class the Stephensons have made themselves to be.

This isn't to say the book isn't good; it is. Just that one should let go of expectations the first book has created. Perhaps the best aspect of the book is simply a chance to enjoy the relationship of the Stephensons themselves. In this book, our hero, Mrs. Stephenson, begins to realize that even her progressive husband has limits to his imagination in the way he regards her because of her gender, and the crushing frustration of being a financial genius in an age when a woman could not even own property grows worse and worse. Suspicion of adultery, fiduciary infidelity, the terrifying reality of childbirth in the 19th century, and the deep, real love the Stephensons feel for one another despite their problems are beautifully done, and shows a real understanding of the ups and down of a lengthy marriage by two such dynamic people of this age.

If I could give this book 3.5 stars, I would. As it is, I'll leave it 3, and note it's a book I wouldn't have missed.

[Midge]

The second in a trio-saga about the Stevensons, Lord John and his wife Nora, during the mid 1800's in England. John is a successful entrepreneur investor and Nora has a unique head for money and figures. Together they become a formidable and daring team in the world of steel, railroads, and business.

From the book cover:
"a story of a couple whose love is challenged as they passionately climb the social ladder of
Victorian England. A couple whose quest for wealth and social acceptance leads them to fortune
as well as the brink of disaster."

Historically, a very interesting and enlightening novel.

[Julianne Crutchfield]

All i have to say is it was a snooze! 510 pages of boredom. Definitely do not recommend.

[Marie Phillip]

Good story, but too much banking info for my likes. Might be interesting for business majors.

[Susan]

1845-1851 sequel about the Stevenson's

[Lucas]

Probably would have helped my understanding of the novel if I knew this one was the second in the trilogy. Still enjoyed it tremendously!

[Amy]

Set during the time of the railroad expansion in England and other areas of Europe, the main character and her husband start out poor but then create vast wealth. He does it with his railway building knowledge and people skills; his wife does it with her amazing head for all things numbers and her ability to invest well. There were things in the book that were not necessary - like Thornton's character and his book of sexual partners. The crude nature of these parts of the book made it something I would not recommend to anyone.

[Lisa James]

It was a great story of the Victorian age in England & the industrialization of the railway systems. Both of the Stevensons pulled themselves up from VERY humble beginnings to become one of the richest families in England, & railway tycoons. There was a great deal of detail on the machinery etc involved, as well as the financials, & it was a good look into how the merchant class lived.

[Noelle]

I could not finish this.

[Laurie]

No point to the story...it goes nowhere.