Only Time Will Tell

Clifton Chronicles, Book 1

By: Jeffrey Archer

Narrated by: Roger Allam, Emilia Fox

Ambitious and addictive, Only Time Will Tell is the first novel in Jeffrey Archer’s The Clifton Chronicles, beginning the epic tale of Harry Clifton, a working-class boy from the docks of Bristol. Read by Emilia Fox, known for her role in Silent Witness, and Roger Allam.

It is 1920, and against the backdrop of a world ravaged by conflict, Harry’s story begins with the words ‘I was told that my father was killed in the war’. Harry’s existence is defined by the death of his father and he seems destined to a life on the docks until a remarkable gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys school and entry into a world he could never have envisaged.

Over the course of twenty years, as the Second World War and the fight against Hitler draws nearer, Harry will learn the awful truth about his father’s death and of his own connections to a powerful shipping family, the Barringtons. And in doing so, he will change his destiny forever . . .

Richly imagined and populated with remarkable characters, The Clifton Chronicles will take you on a powerful journey, bringing to life one hundred years of family history in a story neither you, nor Harry, could ever have dreamt of.

Continue the bestselling series with The Sins of the Father and Best Kept Secret.

©2011 Jeffrey Archer (P)2011 Macmillan Publishers

Brilliant

What made the experience of listening to Only Time Will Tell: Clifton Chronicles, Book 1 the most enjoyable?

Captivated me from the very beginning and couldn't wait to hear more and more. Excellent.

What other book might you compare Only Time Will Tell: Clifton Chronicles, Book 1 to and why?

Matthew Flinders Cat. Both great stories and told in a way that keeps not only me but my husband enthralled.

Which scene was your favorite?

Knowing that the main character may still be in the mix

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

One to watch

Any additional comments?

Hadn't read a Jeffrey Archer in years so thrilled to hear a great story. Reviews certainly count.

Great Story Excellent Rendering

The potentially banal story is beautifully told. It is a unique experience to read a penny novel told by a master.

excellent storyline

it was superb in every way especially for an 80 year old readers...hope the saga continues in audibles

only time

What did you love best about Only Time Will Tell: Clifton Chronicles, Book 1?

it was a good story with the characters shown from there sides of the story

What did you like best about this story?

old jack he is good

Have you listened to any of Roger Allam and Emilia Fox ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no i haven,t

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

only time and truth can tell

A ripping yarn

Archer carries a narrative strongly and this ripping yarn is no exception. However he presents his characters descriptively -- we see their actions and hear their words rather than clearly picture them or understand their (repressed) emotions. This is underscored by allowing different protagonists to take up various threads of the story. His women are somewhat cliched nineteenth / early twentieth heroines as they play their roles as martyr, lover, upholder of what is Strong and True. But that works ok -- and, after all, it is is set in the first half of last century. Archer does make us care what happens to his characters and of course he creates compelling twists and turns in the plot. The sequel will be eagerly awaited. The readers were first rate.

Great read!!

Beautifully narrated. Good story. Well defined characters. I'm looking forward to sequel of this book!

great listen and a good story

it is always easy to listen to a book when you like the narrator. it makes a great story even better. such is the case here. cant wait to listen to the next one.

Great saga

What did you like best about this story?

I love family stories and sagas, this once was a great one! Comparable to Ken Follett...

Who was the most memorable character of Only Time Will Tell: Clifton Chronicles, Book 1 and why?

Old Jack Tar - it's nice to have an old misunderstood-by-most type of character

Any additional comments?

Sometimes I had the feeling that some parts of the book where missing - like a sentence stopping in the middle (but didn't impede the understanding of the book, and only happened once or twice at the beginning), but this problem would be due to technical issues, and not the story in itself.

Boring and extremely disappointing

What disappointed you about Only Time Will Tell: Clifton Chronicles, Book 1?

I have read everything Lord Archer has written. I bought this book assuming a good read and was very much disappointed. I would go so far as to say I do not believe this book would have been published if not for the author's fame.It was so boring I started to listen to it on fast play on my ipod (x2). Even then, the story progressed about as quickly as grass grows. I've read a review comparing it to The Forsyte Saga - I loved the Forsyte Saga - this is in no way in the same class. It is a long, long, long story with characters not totally likable, slightly unbelievable situations and no hook to capture your attention and make you want to keep reading. I would have returned this book, but for some reason my audible account says it accepts returns, but doesn't let me return them. All I can say is that if you like watching plants grow for hours on end, then this is the book for you.

Has Only Time Will Tell: Clifton Chronicles, Book 1 turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Read faster

What character would you cut from Only Time Will Tell: Clifton Chronicles, Book 1?

I'd suggest that the telling of the same events several times from different viewpoints is the most frustrating part of this book.

These are not individual books!

Would you try another book from Jeffrey Archer and/or Roger Allam and Emilia Fox ?

After Kain and Abel always - these books are drawn out incomplete sequals, not complete books and as such boring and VERY pricey for a very average drawn out story. NO I have no interest in hearing the rest of it.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Am already listening to Ken Wilber and reading Jojo Moyos

What aspect of Roger Allam and Emilia Fox ’s performance would you have changed?

The performance was OK, the storyline is the problem

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Only Time Will Tell: Clifton Chronicles, Book 1?

The whole book needs a 20-40% or more condensation, too drawn out and painful.

Any additional comments?

My last Jeffrey Archer! - life is too short to read this.