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10th out of 32 books
—
136 voters
A Quiver Full of Arrows
Ordinary Heros,
Extraordinary Deeds
The bestselling author of Kane & Abel, The Prodigal Daughter and Honor Among Theives once again astonishes, delights, and electrifies his legions of fans.
From London to China, and New York to Nigeria, Jeffrey Archer takes the reader on a tour of ancient heirlooms and modern romance, of cutthroat business and kindly strangers, of lives...more
Extraordinary Deeds
The bestselling author of Kane & Abel, The Prodigal Daughter and Honor Among Theives once again astonishes, delights, and electrifies his legions of fans.
From London to China, and New York to Nigeria, Jeffrey Archer takes the reader on a tour of ancient heirlooms and modern romance, of cutthroat business and kindly strangers, of lives...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
August 30th 2005
by St. Martin's Paperbacks
(first published January 1st 1980)
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Thank goodness Jeffrey Archer got a Baronetcy in 1992. The man has an unhealthy preoccupation with rank, status, and money (as this collection of short stories will attest).
Written in 1980, these are vignettes of a simpler time, before email and cellular phones and Twitter and Facebook cluttered up our lives. When wealth and luxury were marked by Rolls Royces, leather chairs and Cuban cigars rather than hybrid vehicles, recycled furniture and vegan meals.
There's something deeply comforting abo...more
Written in 1980, these are vignettes of a simpler time, before email and cellular phones and Twitter and Facebook cluttered up our lives. When wealth and luxury were marked by Rolls Royces, leather chairs and Cuban cigars rather than hybrid vehicles, recycled furniture and vegan meals.
There's something deeply comforting abo...more
'A Quiver full of Arrows' is a wonderful book to make a beginning to your Jeffrey Archer Shelf. This is the first book, written by him that I have read and I seriously loved it. It's completely worth all the time you spend on it, even if it means ignoring the teacher in class and reading in secret.
All his short stories, begin by making the reader curious and end....well endings are so unexpected that I promise you will never fail to smile.
Each story has a strange twist that makes it different...more
All his short stories, begin by making the reader curious and end....well endings are so unexpected that I promise you will never fail to smile.
Each story has a strange twist that makes it different...more
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Jun 22, 2010
Simon
added it
I picked this up at the library--the librarian was trying to give it away, but with the optimism of a disgraced peer clutching a fresh manuscript approaching the Times Literary Supplement with a view of securing his first favorable review.
In this age of recycling I decided that it deserved a second chance at a useful life and grabbed Prisoner FF 8282's paperback with the honest intention of giving it a fair shake.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that 'A Quiver Full of Arrows' does indeed have...more
In this age of recycling I decided that it deserved a second chance at a useful life and grabbed Prisoner FF 8282's paperback with the honest intention of giving it a fair shake.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that 'A Quiver Full of Arrows' does indeed have...more
Well, here was a total change of pace as our book discussion group delved into a collection of short stories! what a great choice this particular collection proved to be. Archer writes in a style that quickly captures the reader's attention and manages to slip in a twist, or surprise ending, or clever coincidence. I loved all of the stories in this book, although if I had to pick a favorite it would have to be Broken Routine - the twist is delicious! I will definitely be reading more of Mr. Arch...more
Rather dull, and evidence that without his political connections, Jeffrey Archer would be about as interesting as a student in a beginners' fiction-writing workshop. Every story features some feeble attempt at irony that makes it seem amateurish, like the yawner about two middle-aged men who bet about which will be first to bed a beautiful girl, only to find out she'd been taking bets on them. (Oh, SNAP!) Save your money.
1 like · like · see review
I wouldn't usually pick anything by Archer – but some (not all) of the stories here were immensely satisfying to read. However, considering I was 17 at the time (when I read them) I'm not sure of my 30 year old mind would appreciate the, now. However, if you want something short and captivating than this is quite a good collection (however, please remember I was a kid when I read it!).
Apr 30, 2008
Sajitha Jayaprakash
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
have-read
This book is diffrent from his novels as most of these books revolve around two or more individuals who are highly ambitious and strong-willed. Each of these strong characters is shown to be determined to defeat the another to gain power and fortune.
As the name rightly suggests, Jeffrey Archer has impressively put together twelve assorted arrows (short stories) into the quiver (book). Each of these arrows is sharp and leaves a meaningful impact on the readers.
All the stories bring out certain e...more
As the name rightly suggests, Jeffrey Archer has impressively put together twelve assorted arrows (short stories) into the quiver (book). Each of these arrows is sharp and leaves a meaningful impact on the readers.
All the stories bring out certain e...more
Jeffrey Archer's novels are mostly the same story; different names, different towns (maybe), but basically the same story. He charts people's lives over many years. Read one or two of his stories and they are great, read more of them they become monotonous.
This was the case with most of these short stories. Shorter versions of his normal theme.
This was the case with most of these short stories. Shorter versions of his normal theme.
If you are an Archer fan, you would surely pick his short stories. In fact you would wish them to go on even after he delivers the twist at the end of the story. They are short, sharp and leaving you to want to read more.... I've always been an Archer fan... check out his other short stories.
First time reading a short story collect by Archer, I really wish I didn't. I mean WHY would he put himself in this situation to be judged so harshly when he is so great storytelling. Short story is just not his forte, half the time I was reading with a confused/disappointed look on my face. Really not worth it.
Although I preferred A Twist in the Tale, these short stories were interesting and as always with Jeffrey Archer, very well written. I felt that there was something lacking in the endings of each tale and the stories fell a little flat for me. Still a good read though.
Jeffery Archer is a great writer and his stories in this book are very realistic and so human. Some of his essays didn't do much for me but I especially enjoyed "The 1st Miracle - Pontius Pilate as a Boy" and "Old Love" was especially sweet about growing old together
Nov 24, 2008
Michael
added it
Short stories. This is the least favorite of the books I have read by Jeffrey Archer. It appears to have been an early effort, and the stories are rife with unbridled British snobbery. There is an exception, the story "Old Love" was uplifting.
Ordinary Heros,
Extraordinary Deeds
The bestselling author of Kane & Abel, The Prodigal Daughter and Honor Among Theives once again astonishes, delights, and electrifies his legions of fans.
From London to China, and New York to Nigeria, Jeffrey Archer takes the reader on a tour of ancient heirlooms and modern romance, of cutthroat business and kindly strangers, of lives lived in the realms of power and lives freed from the gloom of oppression. Fortunes are made and squandered, honor betrayed a...more
Extraordinary Deeds
The bestselling author of Kane & Abel, The Prodigal Daughter and Honor Among Theives once again astonishes, delights, and electrifies his legions of fans.
From London to China, and New York to Nigeria, Jeffrey Archer takes the reader on a tour of ancient heirlooms and modern romance, of cutthroat business and kindly strangers, of lives lived in the realms of power and lives freed from the gloom of oppression. Fortunes are made and squandered, honor betrayed a...more
I enjoyed this set of short stories, some of them I anticipated the twist at the end and others I did not. It was good to have a book that I could easily set down after a couple of pages (when the story ended).
A good to be back after a long dull time without any reading. Not the best way to return to good reads, because I didnt enjoy the book very much. My friend Dinuka who lent me the book won't agree with me though :)
I thought I'd read every Archer in print, but this was a delightfully different find.
A very nice group of short stories. Each one a tribute to the British talent for understatement and subltle humor. A good read.
A very nice group of short stories. Each one a tribute to the British talent for understatement and subltle humor. A good read.
Overall, the book is good. But the three following stories stood out for me:
One night stand, Broken routine, Old love.
If you are planning to read this book, keep these stories for the last
One night stand, Broken routine, Old love.
If you are planning to read this book, keep these stories for the last
Oct 06, 2012
Ashok Kallarakkal
added it
As good as the 'Twist in the Tale'. One of the best short sttory collections after O Henry and Saki. Each story is a treat to read. A great travel companion any day.
I read this book years ago and decided to read it again. Archer is a master story teller. He develops his characters in a precise manner and gets to the tale.
What's not to enjoy about these well-constructed and thoroughly entertaining short stories? He's a master of his craft
Cheap twists on tired tales, more often lemon than (sub)lime. In other words? Don't waste your time.
This book is made up of several short stories, all good. They mostly have surprise endings. Enjoyable read.
Collection of short stories - in my humble opinion,the weakest read from Archer I have yet experienced.
My favourite thing about Jeffrey Archer as an author has always been his short stories. His writing is unusually captivating and the stories themselves surpassed my expectations. They were interesting. They always had twists at the end (God, I love those) and the characters were extremely likeable. I particularly loved the last short story and over the weekend I spent my time looking over it again and again. It was fabulous.
I simply loved this collection of short stories. Favorites being The Century, Broken Routine, The Perfect Gentleman, The Luncheon and The First Miracle.
It's not only the style and rhythm in writing but also the unexpected twists and ends in the stories that make them so compelling to read.
No wonder Jeffery Archer is called the 'Master Storyteller'.
It's not only the style and rhythm in writing but also the unexpected twists and ends in the stories that make them so compelling to read.
No wonder Jeffery Archer is called the 'Master Storyteller'.
I dare not write a review about Jeffrey Archer. The unparalleled story teller of all times.
I don't usually enjoy short stories. But these were good stories with a touch of message to them.
Aah. After the first couple of good stories, the collection seemed average as per Archer's standards. However, the last story totally did it. It's one of the best short love story I've ever read.
A witty and enjoyable collection of short stories. Not his best, but still a good read.
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Jeffrey Howard Archer, Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare (born 15 April 1940) is an English author and former politician.
He was a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, and became a life peer in 1992. His political career, having suffered several controversies, ended after a conviction for perverting the course of justice and his subsequent imprisonment. He is married...more
More about Jeffrey Archer...
He was a Member of Parliament and deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, and became a life peer in 1992. His political career, having suffered several controversies, ended after a conviction for perverting the course of justice and his subsequent imprisonment. He is married...more
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