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Product Description
Review
Praise for "Only Time Will Tell
""I was utterly hooked. It was an absurdly enjoyable read."
---Anthony Horowitz, "Daily Telegraph" (London)
Praise for Jeffrey Archer
"A dynamite commercial novel...Archer brings it off with panache."
---"The Washington Post" on "A Prisoner of Birth"
"A compelling read...The pace never flags."
---"Newsday" (New York) on "A Prisoner of Birth"
"One of the top ten storytellers in the world."
---"Los Angeles Times"
"Archer is a master entertainer."
---"Time" magazine
"A storyteller in the class of Alexandre Dumas."
---"The Washington Post" on "A Twist in the Tale"
"There isn't a better storyteller alive."
---Larry King
""Kane and Abel"...that classic of modern literature."
---"The Times" (London)
Product Description
The number one bestselling first book in The Clifton Chronicles, a multi-generational family saga
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
208 of 217 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have only read one Jeffrey Archer and that was Not a Penny Less, Not a Penny More, the book which restored him to financial security after his bankruptcy and have to say that I was distinctly underwhelmed. I read some of his short stories some years later which I remember being impressed with but since then nothing. So when this dropped through my letter box I really did not know what to expect.
Well, I loved it. I have heard all the rumours that seven editors or more sit down with seven pens and rewrite Archer's books and was never sure if this was true or not, or just one of those apocryphal stories that do the rounds, but I did rather sheer away from his output because of this. Read this through in one sitting and if ever the phrase a 'page-turner' was the right description, then it certainly is applicable here.
Harry Clifton is the son of a docker who had died in mysterious circumstances, and his mother is struggling to bring him up in dire poverty. Harry is fascinated by the docks, plays truant from school and doesn't seem to have much going for him. But he is the possessor of a beautiful, treble voice and this leads him to a choral scholarship at a posh school where he meets and befriends two companions who are going to influence his future life. One of these is Giles Barrington, son of a wealthy businessman and owner of the docks where Harry's father died. As soon as we meet Hugo Barrington and see his reaction to Harry, we are left in no doubt as to the possibilities for intrigue and underhand machinations ahead of us. And so it proves.
The story is told from several viewpoints, Harry, his mother Maisie, Hugo, Old Jack Tar (a mysterious and educated man who is one of Harry's supporters but who lives a reclusive life), Giles Barrington and his sister Emma. Not a huge amount of characterisation or details given in this book, the protagonists are there for one purpose only and that is to be the hook for the story line and to be moved around accordingly. The plot turns are signalled well ahead and are easy to spot before they even happen and the ending of this first volume entirely predictable, but this did not lessen my enjoyment in any way. It is a rattling good yarn, with pacy narrative and once started, almost impossible to put down.
Well, I loved it. I have heard all the rumours that seven editors or more sit down with seven pens and rewrite Archer's books and was never sure if this was true or not, or just one of those apocryphal stories that do the rounds, but I did rather sheer away from his output because of this. Read this through in one sitting and if ever the phrase a 'page-turner' was the right description, then it certainly is applicable here.
Harry Clifton is the son of a docker who had died in mysterious circumstances, and his mother is struggling to bring him up in dire poverty. Harry is fascinated by the docks, plays truant from school and doesn't seem to have much going for him. But he is the possessor of a beautiful, treble voice and this leads him to a choral scholarship at a posh school where he meets and befriends two companions who are going to influence his future life. One of these is Giles Barrington, son of a wealthy businessman and owner of the docks where Harry's father died. As soon as we meet Hugo Barrington and see his reaction to Harry, we are left in no doubt as to the possibilities for intrigue and underhand machinations ahead of us. And so it proves.
The story is told from several viewpoints, Harry, his mother Maisie, Hugo, Old Jack Tar (a mysterious and educated man who is one of Harry's supporters but who lives a reclusive life), Giles Barrington and his sister Emma. Not a huge amount of characterisation or details given in this book, the protagonists are there for one purpose only and that is to be the hook for the story line and to be moved around accordingly. The plot turns are signalled well ahead and are easy to spot before they even happen and the ending of this first volume entirely predictable, but this did not lessen my enjoyment in any way. It is a rattling good yarn, with pacy narrative and once started, almost impossible to put down.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
An absolute cracking read which is what I have come to expect from Jeffrey Archer's novels. However, I have one major criticism, and that is that I wished I would have been made aware from the beginning that this book was going to be part of what appears to be a 'Tribology'. Had I known this, I would not have been put in a rather bad mood by what appeared to be an open (and most unusual) ending. I will now have to wait at J.Archer's convenience before he gets around to publishing part 2 & 3 (which hopefully will be available in Kindle format).
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Great read finished it in two sittings,yes some of it was a bit predictable,but which books are not!!
Now looking forward the the next instalment.
Anyone any thoughts as to when this may be?
Now looking forward the the next instalment.
Anyone any thoughts as to when this may be?
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic
Couldn't put this book down. It was such a good story with a lot going on concerning the various characters. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Mystery lover
Another excellent Jeffrey Archer
Simply written and well executed. This book is hard to put down. I couldn't wait to get started on the 2nd book - Sins of the Fathers. Read more
Published 8 days ago by ZLeeds
Puzzled
I am having a definite 'is it me?' moment, How can a book that I have found unbelievably trite, predictable, cliched,etc.,etc., have so many excellent reviews? Read more
Published 8 days ago by P. M. Sharratt
Jeffrey the story teller
He does it every time, what a great story. Kept me fully engaged throughout. Just about to start Chronicles 2..
Published 12 days ago by Travellerman
Read it Twice
This is a great story which starts with an innocent coach trip to Weston -super -Mare and which leads to lifetimes of intrigue and deception surrounding the main player, Harry... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Fred 1234
The Clifton Chronicles are a must read
Wonderful book I just cant wait to read the rest in the series. Once again Archer at his best taking the reader on a journey through the lifetime of some colourful characters.
Published 16 days ago by lotta
Is this book a joke?
The must be the worst book I have ever read. If it was not by Jeffrey Archer I don't believe it would have been published. Read more
Published 25 days ago by David Allan
A Very Entertaining Read
This is a real page turner and a jolly good yarn. Although by no means up to the literary standard of Archer's `Paths of Glory' this is a good story told with overlapping chapters... Read more
Published 29 days ago by Dr. R. Brandon
Only Time Will Tell from Amazon.co.uk on my kindle
Jeffry Archer never fails to excite me with his writing and this one is no exception I read them over and over again.May he long continue
Published 1 month ago by Yamascross
Great Read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it, very easy going, entertaining and addictive! I am now reading volume 2 The Sins of the Father, this is also a great read, one of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Angela
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