'Only Time Will Tell' is the first book in 'The Clifton Chronicles' series by Jeffrey Archer. The story follows Harry Clifton, a poor but highly intelligent boy, as he navigates his way out of the slums and dockyard to Bristol Grammar School and an offer at a place at Oxford. The plot is filled with twists and turns, secrets from the past, and complex web of events and characters that keep the reader engaged. The book is written in a unique style, with different parts narrated from the perspective of different characters, providing new insights and enhancing the depth of the storytelling.

Characters:

The characters are engaging but somewhat archetypal, showcasing a mix of virtues and vices while primarily moving the plot forward.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is simple, accessible, and employs multiple perspectives to tell the story, which adds depth but can also lead to redundancy.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Harry Clifton's life journey as he navigates family secrets, class struggles, and friendships, described through intertwining narratives.

Setting:

The setting is early 20th century Bristol, England, reflecting significant social class dynamics and historical context.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, starting slowly but gaining momentum as the story progresses, culminating in a fast-paced, climactic ending.

Whenever I questioned my mother about his death, she didn’t say any more than that he’d served with the Royal Gloucestershire Regiment and had been killed fighting on the Western Front only days befor...

Notes:

The book is the first in a planned series called The Clifton Chronicles, which will ultimately consist of five novels.

The story revolves around Harry Clifton, a gifted young boy from a poor family, set in post-WWI England.

Much of the plot explores themes of class disparity, with Harry navigating life between wealthy peers and his working-class upbringing.

Harry Clifton's mother, Maisie, works hard to support him and has mysteries surrounding past events, including the identity of Harry's father.

The book witnesses Harry's rise through prestigious schools, showcasing his exceptional singing talent.

The narrative unfolds through multiple points of view, a technique that enhances character development and plot depth.

Characters are often depicted as distinctly good or bad, lacking nuanced characteristics but providing a clear moral framework.

The story is set against the backdrop of significant historical events, including World War II, providing context for personal and societal struggles.

Readers have noted the frustrations associated with cliffhanger endings, as the first book leaves several mysteries unresolved, compelling readers to continue the series.

The setting shifts from the English countryside to potential future events in New York City, showcasing an expansive narrative scope.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance, primarily revolving around Harry Clifton's feelings for Emma Barrington, although it is not the main focus of the plot.

From The Publisher:

Only Time Will Tell

Jeffrey Archer

The first novel in the Clifton Chronicles, an ambitious new series that tells the story of a family across generations and oceans, from heartbreak to triumph, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Archer

The epic tale of Harry Clifton's life begins in 1920, with the words "I was told that my father was killed in the war." A dock worker in Bristol, Harry never knew his father and expects to continue on at the shipyard, until a remarkable gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys' school, and his life will never be the same again...

As Harry enters into adulthood, he finally learns how his father really died, but the awful truth only leads him to question: Was he even his father? Is he the son of Arthur Clifton, a stevedore, or the firstborn son of a scion of West Country society, whose family owns a shipping line? From the ravages of the Great War and the docks of working-class England to the streets of 1940 New York City and the outbreak of the Second World War, this is a powerful journey that will bring to life one hundred years of history to reveal a family story that neither the reader nor Harry Clifton himself could ever have imagined.

Ratings (5)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (3)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (14):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (4)
Not Interested (3)

1 comment(s)

loutup337

Incredible

1 month

Brilliant story and very gripping - can't wait to read the rest of the series.

What can you read after
Only Time Will Tell?

See the list (32 books)

About the Author:

JEFFREY ARCHER was educated at Oxford University. He has served five years in Britain's House of Commons and fourteen years in the House of Lords. All of his novels and short story collections-including And Thereby Hangs a Tale, A Prisoner of Birth, and Kane & Abel-have been international bestsellers. Archer is married with two sons and lives in London and Cambridge.

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