"The Clifton Chronicles is Jeffrey Archer's most ambitious work in four decades as an international best seller" says the cover of the novel. I disagree. There are much better novels than the current one by Sir Archer.
It so seems that the author has tried to cash in on one of the plots of his previous novel "As the Crow Flies". The sub-plot is the previous novel tends to become the primary story in the current novel. You will also not be surprised to see that the narrative of the new novel is very identical to this novel. These "issues" need not be considered as complaints as they are good for the novel but you get the déjà vu feeling. Comparing the volume of "As the Crow Flies" with the new book, I can safely assume that the volume is cut short to bring it out as a series. I would always love to read a "huge" novel.
Coming back to "Only Time Will Tell", if you just read it as an independent work without comparing it with others, you definitely will like it. Though it is a slow starter, it grips its readers as it progresses. The story encompasses the life of Harry Clifton, the central character who is made to believe stories about father's death. The author deftly takes you through the lives of characters related to Harry in their own perspective. You "enjoy" the feelings going through the characters' mind during the same events.
Incomplete blog...
Showing posts with label Jeffrey Archer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeffrey Archer. Show all posts
Friday, December 16, 2011
Monday, May 31, 2010
And Thereby Hangs A Tale - Jeffrey Archer
First, let me be frank with you all. I am neither a professional book reviewer nor an expert critic. I am just a fan of Jeffrey Archer. I have read most of his books and look forward to reading many more in the coming years. The best book so far, for me, has been “A Prisoner of Birth” (based on this information, please align your tastes with mine before you read the review). The review given below is only my personal opinion.
The “collection” of short stories by Archer is definitely not amongst his best works (that is a huge disappointment, especially for me). You get the feeling of “been there; done that” after reading most of the stories. The volume of the book is less compared to Archer’s other short stories collection. It is hard to digest this fact after being used to reading the huge voluminous novels from the renowned author.
The book contains a total of 15 stories out of which 10 stories are based on true life incidents. The other five stories are the direct result of Archer’s genius. The endings are generally happy but you do get to feel sorry for some of the characters in some of the stories. The signature style of ending the story is an unexpected manner is the high point in this publication. The reader has to ponder over the things that might have happened after the story ends. The emotions amongst the characters are rightly captured. The characterization is apt and sufficient for the short story genre.
An ordinary citizen helps the Scotland Yard to capture a terrorist network. The mix-up (rather the goof up) is only realized when the Commander speaks about the actual terrorist.
The CEO of a company sells his soul to the devil on the pretext of having a second chance with life. He exchanges his life (and livelihood) with an employee of his own company fearing his eminent death. Alas, the exchange is a waste, just because the CEO did not ask the right question.
When one sensory organ does not work the rest of the sensory organs become more active and help the individual to cope with life. A blind man uses his senses to “evaluate” his fellow-beings and cross-verifies this information with a normal human being. He is pleased with his guesses on most of the occasions. But for once he meets his competition.
Overall the book is a good read but it definitely lacks the “what happens next” itch.
Go grab the edition if you are a true Archer buff. Enjoy the stories. Let us hope that Archer comes out with even better tales in the future.
PS: Am I missing something or is there really a lack of logic? How does person who dives into a large swimming pool with shallow water end up on a wheel chair? And thereby hangs a tale…
The “collection” of short stories by Archer is definitely not amongst his best works (that is a huge disappointment, especially for me). You get the feeling of “been there; done that” after reading most of the stories. The volume of the book is less compared to Archer’s other short stories collection. It is hard to digest this fact after being used to reading the huge voluminous novels from the renowned author.
The book contains a total of 15 stories out of which 10 stories are based on true life incidents. The other five stories are the direct result of Archer’s genius. The endings are generally happy but you do get to feel sorry for some of the characters in some of the stories. The signature style of ending the story is an unexpected manner is the high point in this publication. The reader has to ponder over the things that might have happened after the story ends. The emotions amongst the characters are rightly captured. The characterization is apt and sufficient for the short story genre.
An ordinary citizen helps the Scotland Yard to capture a terrorist network. The mix-up (rather the goof up) is only realized when the Commander speaks about the actual terrorist.
The CEO of a company sells his soul to the devil on the pretext of having a second chance with life. He exchanges his life (and livelihood) with an employee of his own company fearing his eminent death. Alas, the exchange is a waste, just because the CEO did not ask the right question.
When one sensory organ does not work the rest of the sensory organs become more active and help the individual to cope with life. A blind man uses his senses to “evaluate” his fellow-beings and cross-verifies this information with a normal human being. He is pleased with his guesses on most of the occasions. But for once he meets his competition.
Overall the book is a good read but it definitely lacks the “what happens next” itch.
Go grab the edition if you are a true Archer buff. Enjoy the stories. Let us hope that Archer comes out with even better tales in the future.
PS: Am I missing something or is there really a lack of logic? How does person who dives into a large swimming pool with shallow water end up on a wheel chair? And thereby hangs a tale…
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