If you're expecting another prodigal son parable here, forget it.

Although separation and reunion are part of this multifaceted contemporary novel ["The Prodigal Daughter"] by the English author of "Kane and Abel," they are but a minor part. And other themes—just as those other themes in the biblical parable—are more provocative.

Through his primary character, Florentyna Rosnovski, Archer probes such intriguing topics as power, politics, pride, parochialism and prejudice. He also deals with some old-fashioned virtues—fidelity, honor and integrity as they affect this only child of a Polish immigrant who has amassed a huge fortune by hard work and canny—but mostly honest—business strategy….

Given that background, you say, the novel must be pure romance. Romance it is. Don't knock it.

There is pain, of course, but it heals; there is failure, but it pales; there is estrangement, but it passes. And there is...