As the Crow Flies (Paperback)

The novel is based around Charlie Trumper and his family during the course of the 20th century and his journey from Whitechapel Market to Chelsea Terrace. During this time he repeatedly experiences turmoil from his enemy, the Trentham family, a group of characters you can’t really help but absolutely hate. Some of the twists in the book were particularly unexpected but wonderfully written.

I particularly liked the way the original style in which the book was written… the book comprises a series of periods during the course of the book from the perspective of various major characters, each of which started with a first person narrative of what you had just read – it sounds a bit weird but works brilliantly

All in all, I can’t recommend this book enough. If you’re an Archer fan, then you’ll find this book superb, and if you’re not… why not?

Charlie, once a wagon greengrocer, makes it to the top through sheer determination and honesty. Coming from a poor family of parents deeply lacking in the will to survive in this world, Charlie realises the severity of his home and life conditions once the news of his Grandfather's death hits home.

Having joined the army, He learms a wide variety of things; most of all the fact that the people of this world have different shades to their personalities, and that not everyone is willing to risk their lives for others.

Upon returning from the army, He decides to fulfil his lifelong dream of opening a greengrocer's shop in one of the poshest areas near where he lives. However, many stepping stones have to be passed before he can accomplish his greatest desire.

Possessing a deeply ingrained personality of protecting those he loves, his first duty is to take care of his siblings. Thereafter, he rebooster's the life of the woman he loves, earning her love in return for his kindness and generosity. It is she who he marries and enters into partnership with for his business.

Through many struggles, Charlie's business survives, along with the expansion of his ideas to open a shopping centre. His accumulating wealth allows him to educate his adopted son in the best manner possible, enough to earn him a phd in Mathematics. However, life holds many miseries.

The greatest thing about this book is the fact that Charlie Tucker is a person who had recieved no education, and who came from a background of poverty. Nevertheless, he managed to break the chains that bound him, and fly to the heights of his dreams. He overpassed all the dirtiness of the undeservedly wealthy and the sorrow of hurt and anger, bearing no grudges to those who had done him any harm.

The most beautiful thing however, is that even after such a life, Charlie can never forget his background. This is the starting of his life, and this is the ending. A man who, despite his great dignity and wealth, can lower himself to the status of normal, everyday street sellers by opening a wheel wagon green grocery.

That is why I am rating this book five stars, as such a book I have never read. It must surely be the best.