Compelling tale of two possible lives

When Alexander Karpenko and his mother Elena flee Russia, they have seconds to board one of two ships.

He decides to leave it in fate’s hands with the toss of a coin – heads America, tails England.

What follows is a compelling read detailing the two possible lives of Karpenko in each country.

Alexander’s life in America is told in alternating chapters with that of Sasha Karpenko’s in England.

Author Jeffrey Archer’s execution of the parallel stories is brilliant. He doesn’t use up words rehashing the same events of Karpenko’s life in the two countries. Alexander goes on to become a businessman, while Sasha follows a career in politics.

There are similar consequences that befall both characters, but Archer writes them differently so the reader is unable to guess what will happen in the coming chapter. Archer, 78, said it took him two years to write Heads You Win.

In a September 2017 Oxford Union YouTube video, Archer said at the time he had written 12 drafts of Heads You Win and would go on to write 14 before sending it to the publisher.

“I’m working just as hard now than I’ve ever worked in my life. If you write a book . . . most people mean they’ve written the first draft. I wish it was that easy.

“There is still no short cut to actually delivering a book that millions of people want to read.

“I care about the cover, print and paper. I care about every single aspect of producing a book. Why? Because I want to be read.

“I haven’t needed the money since Kane and Able, but I want to be read. I am in that way a professional. I care. And if you think I’m a competitor, you’re right. I look at myself against every one of my rivals.”

With this in mind, don’t be surprised if you finish the tome in under a week – it is simply unputdownable.– Nicolette Scrooby