Only Time Will Tell question

I am not really sure how I would categorize the book. Love Jeffrey Archer and am glad he has a new book out. Just finished it about a week ago.

I think both the plot and the characters in this book kept me interested. The characters were well developed and very interesting but I would say the plot / mystery / twists / turns were equally if not more important to keeping my interest and keeping me turning pages. He's one of those writers who always leaves you wanting to read the next chapter without booking the book down even for a minute.

Generally the plots are what keep me reading Archer's books, although I have always liked his character development as well and the character themes - good versus evil, the good person succeeds, he/she beats diversity and all the odds etc. so I can't say that the character development isn't essential as well. I find many of the characters inspirational and enjoy the uplifting messages and themes in his books.

Through my library I have access to NovelList Plus. They have something called Book Appeal Features.

For Only Time Will Tell they listed the following:

Genre:Family sagas; Historical fiction Storyline:Intricately plotted.
Pace:Fast-paced
Writing Style:Compelling

In General for Jeffrey Archer's books, they list

Genre:Historical fiction; Political suspense stories; Suspense stories
Storyline:Intricately plotted; Plot-driven
Pace:Fast-paced
Tone:Dramatic; Haunting; Suspenseful
Writing Style:Compelling

The characters did it for me. They were well defined and you could actually feel as if you were the one in the book. Good down to earth writing style.

For certain its character driven fiction but I don't find that disappointing. Its a book following the life of a man who struggles in a society lacking meritocracy. These books remind me a lot Forest Gump a easily lovable character who he and his family find themselves involved in historical events...often by chance.

I loved the characters in the first book and felt really compelled by them, but the second book left me feeling a bit blah about the characters and I (hate to admit it) skimmed a fair amount. About the only compelling character in the second book was Emma. Still, look forward to the third book.

I enjoyed all three that I've read and very much looking forward to the 4th in the series. I have read several of Jeffrey Archer books and never been disappointed. The character of old Jack, Harry's schoolmaster and even the evil Hugo were all interesting .... I find I'm waiting for the time when the ship goes to the brokers yard and they find Harry's father's (in name anyway) bones behind the bulk head!! I find I measure an author by how immersed I get in the story and whether it leaves me wondering about the characters .... and this trilogy (so far) does just this.

there are aspects of it which are character driven...altho things become rather style as u progress - Im in the middle of book 3

this one was good, but i was very disappointed with number 2..sins of the father...

fyi...his third book in the series is titled 'best kept secret' pub. date 3/26/2013 :)

I like the way author presented the whole story. But at the end of this one thing confuses me very much. When Harry is in the ship, heading to America, he writes a letter to his mother and marks it as "Strictly private and confidential". But his mother doesn't know to read and write. So, how is it possible to keep the subject of the letter "confidential" as she needs someone to read the letter for her? Has the author forgotten the fact or am I missing something?

Harry is great. So is Maisie...heck ALL of the characters are. The book is pretty much a potboiler...so it's good that the characters DEFINE the book. (in my humble opinion)

This is not character driven. Archer simply makes his characters do things in order to drive his plot forward. The plot itself is a series of cliched, far-fetched events that lack originality.
That does not mean that the characters are not strong and engaging, but it does mean that they are inconsistent and do some highly unlikely things in order to keep the story flowing.
Pity,because Archer can do so much better.

I loved Jeffrey Archer years ago. I feel that now he is back. I enjoyed this story and have already finished The Sins of the Father. I can't wait for the third in this trilogy.

I mostly picked up the book because it is a Jeffrey Archer book. I always like the way he spins plots and develops characters. Its the same about this book too. The book was good and it definitely makes you pick up the second book (The sins of The Father).

Not exactly Harry Clifton of Old jack , I was driven to read the book mostly by turn of events which in a way you can call as the plot

In my opinion, 'character-driven' would be a book like 'Major Pettigrew's last stand'. 'Only time will tell' is more a plot driven story.

Well , I have always liked reading Jeffery Archer.This was a page turner too.But have a question. The story tells us that Hugo Barrington was an opportunist and thats the reason he didn't tell anyone that Harry was his son. But why didn't his mother warned Harry that there is a chance that he and Emma might be half siblings. Why wait for someone else to ruin your son's life when you can just warn him ahead?