Only Time Will Tell (The Clifton Chronicles, #1) in Only Time Will Tell Read-a-Long!

Jan 21, 2014 Jean Labrador rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-read-winners, favorite-characters, british

Note:I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

“Some people standby you in your darkest hour while others walk away; only a select few march towards you and become even closer friends.”

Only Time Will Tell is the first in a series of books in the Clifton Chronicles. I will not summarize the book, as it is easy to find a book summary of the ins and outs of Harry Clifton's early life and the people most important in it.

The characters in the book are interesting, and I enjoyed greatly reading di Note:I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.

“Some people standby you in your darkest hour while others walk away; only a select few march towards you and become even closer friends.”

Only Time Will Tell is the first in a series of books in the Clifton Chronicles. I will not summarize the book, as it is easy to find a book summary of the ins and outs of Harry Clifton's early life and the people most important in it.

The characters in the book are interesting, and I enjoyed greatly reading different sections of the book told from different characters points of view. The first chapter of each new section was in a different character's voice and then the rest of the section took up third person narration to move the story along. This was a fascinating technique that allowed the reader to gather missing information to the plot and insight into that particular character. Mr. Archer handled these different view points beautifully and never lost control of the voice or plot. Not many authors could have done such a superb job of with this technique.

I did find a few inconsistencies that just did not ring true for me in the book. Harry's mother wanting to lose her virginity during a one night stand before marrying just is not what a young woman of her times typically did. I also found the upper class Barrington's acceptance of Harry and his mother (with the exception of Hugo Barrington) inconsistent with the times and thinking of that class. Their easy acceptance of Mrs. Clifton's "easy morality" is certainly not to be understood for the late 30's. Also, why was Hugo so condemned for not telling his secret, but Mrs. Clifton not condemned? This is quite puzzling. As the book ended and Harry was being handcuffed, I almost laughed as he was being Mirandized. The Miranda Act was not enacted by the Supreme Court of the United States until 1966. What a huge anachronism or just plain slip up.

Other than these inconsistencies, I truly enjoyed this book and its engaging characters. It is driving me mad that Harry has assumed another identity. What insane thinking this is! I have just purchased the second novel as I cannot wait to continue with Harry and his story. ...more

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Jan 21, 2014 Chinmay Bajikar rated it liked it

Shelves: adult-fiction, 2014-reading-challenge

To me the biggest strengths of Jefferey Archer is his narration. Although the story is about multiple characters and weaves back and forth in time, it was easy to follow. To me this is not a book in the same class as something like "The Road" or "Oryx and Crake", but those books are completely different subject or domain. Nor is it as good as Archer's own "Not a penny more, not a penny less".

Also don't like the fact that the ending was totally abrupt and seems designed to make the reader want t ...more

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Jan 21, 2014 Danny rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fictions, first-reads, series

Shame it took me so long to finish this. I started reading it on paper and, as with most of my paper novels, life, kids, and work for in the way. So I was ecstatic to find the audio version at the library and found myself spending extra time cleaning, doing dishes, going for walks, whatever, to devour it.

Jeffrey Archer is such a brilliant story teller. While aspects if this novel were a bit more predictable than, for example, Kane and Abel, it was nonetheless the same spectacular writing that i ...more

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Jan 21, 2014 Beckie rated it liked it

I won this book from Goodreads. I have read one other Archer and enjoyed it very much. This book (series) isn't something I would normally read (historical fiction) but I did enjoy it for the most part. I am not a big fan of a story being told over and over from different points-of-view; I prefer one narrator. I get that this adds perspective, but it is confusing and just makes the book longer. I am not sure if I will read the rest of the series. ...more

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Jan 24, 2014 Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: provided-by-author, review-for-author

I received this book free from First Reads. This is the first book I have read by Jeffrey Archer and I just loved it. Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. It was full of history. I am now reading Sins of the Father (Book 2) and plan on finishing the series.

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Jan 21, 2014 Shannon Bielke rated it really liked it

Lots of detail, interesting characters, plot turns and twists, as well as an historical setting make this a great read! Can't wait to start the next one! ...more

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Jan 22, 2014 Sherri Federici rated it really liked it

I thoroughly enjoyed it! Archer is such a rich story teller. He always makes me feel as if I have befriended his characters. I did not see the ending coming; I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. ...more

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