Only Time Will Tell
By Jeffrey Archer
- Release Date: 2011-08-30
- Genre: Fiction & Literature
Description
From the internationally bestselling author Jeffrey Archer comes Only Time Will Tell, the first in the ambitious Clifton Chronicles series that tells the story of one family across generations, across oceans, from heartbreak to triumph.
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, but he learns about life on the docks from his uncle, who expects Harry to join him at the shipyard once he's left school. But then an unexpected gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys' school, and his life will never be the same again.
As he enters into adulthood, Harry 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 who spent his whole life on the docks, or the firstborn son of a scion of West Country society, whose family owns a shipping line?
This introductory novel in Archer's engrossing series The Clifton Chronicles includes a cast of colorful characters and takes us from the ravages of the Great War to the outbreak of the Second World War, when Harry must decide whether to take up a place at Oxford or join the navy and go to war with Hitler's Germany. From the docks of working-class England to the bustling streets of 1940 New York City, Only Time Will Tell takes readers on a journey through to future volumes, which will bring to life one hundred years of recent history to reveal a family story that neither the reader nor Harry Clifton himself could ever have imagined.
Reviews
Ending sets you to read book two.
5By Peezy237I know. Just get book two next thing you know you’ll have read all Clifton chronicles books. Master at best.Very good loved the chact
5By b.j. lind.Clean mouhI should have listened
1By lsa of NYCPeople said the ending sucked. It couldn’t be that bad. I’m going to do the unthinkable: when the 20 year old protagonist, who was 12 at the start, lands in 1939 Manhattan assuming the identity of a dead shipmate from a British merchant ship torpedoed by the Germans, he is arrested, read his Miranda rights (1939), and charged with first degree murder. End of book. Period No sequel offered. Nothing. But. Read it if you want...only time will tell
5By BigalarcArcher on target with this compelling series.Only time will tell
5By Trena10Excellent book- keeps you turning the pages to find out what is going to happen next. Family dynamics and events of the times woven into this book.Only time will tell
1By JozRptWorst ending I've seen - totally unbelievable ending . Villian disappeared; kills off another with a heart attack; and main character gets into very unbelievable "semi-plot, while rest of characters become bunch of loose ends. Ending following the "non-wedding" ruined the book for me and made it a waste of time.Only time will tell
5By 1-12-16I loved the book well written and many interesting plots and characters. Can not wait to read more of this Author.Compelling
5By KarolK189999Great story, great storywriter.Page turner
5By louiskuittonKeeps you entertained throughout the entire book. Want to see what happens next in the series!Enjoyable...
3By Tedious!Until the end, I enjoyed this story. Having spent many hours on ships, the rescue did not ring true. Then, the grand finale when "Tom" was read his Miranda Rights... The Miranda Rights did not come into law until 1966, twenty+ years after the character's arrest in the book. Although a fictional story, these small details detracted a lot from the story for me, sad to say.Good book
3By Ayota2001Really enjoyed the struggle the parents suffered through while protecting their respective families.Amazing Read!
5By SupraNaeThis book is so well written and it embodies everything I love about stories and reading. It has an excellent storyline and plot with amazing characters. It is suspenseful which kept me reading well into hours I should have been sleep. I don't regret one wink of sleep I missed due to reading it. As a lover of drama, suspense, comedy, interesting characters and intelligent writing this is perfect. I loved that it was set in Europe. I learned a lot while investigating the jargon used. After I read this and learned it was part 1 of 6 I knew I would be reading each book. I just finished Sins of a Father (book 2-which did not disappoint) and will beginning Best Kept Secret after I post a review about Sins of a Father (another 5 stars).Only time will tell
4By 3D mageeWeird ending. Good til thenExcellent
5By Kilo India BravoFirst time reading an Archer and I was understand why he is praised an writer. Very well written and very interesting. I was almost teary eyed when Giles licked his bowl.Excellent
5By Matthew HarveyStrongly recommendedOnly Time Will Tell 5 stars
5By Minji21A Tree Grows in Brooklyn meets the Count of Monte Cristo meets Oliver Twost. A great read with so many unexpected twists and turns .Only Time Will Tell
5By Senior1935A very intriguing page turner !!!Awesome read
5By TheBaller10I couldn't finish this book fast enough. On to the next!Loved it - Excellent Characters
5By KingOfBrightonExcellently portrayed characters make this novel a delightful read that touches the heart with its characters' stories and touches the brain with its plot twists and anticipated guessing on what will happen next.
