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Only Time Will Tell

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Only Time Will Tell

By: Jeffrey Archer
Narrated by: Roger Allam, Emilia Fox
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About this listen

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.

 Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Destiny

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Critic reviews

Archer is on top form
I enjoyed the book and marvelled at both its pace and the imaginative cliffhanger ending, whetting our appetite for volume two
This is a cracker of a read. And quite 'unputdownable'. The whole thing about Jeffrey is that he has always had the knack of producing page-turners (Jerry Hayes)
You don’t sell 250 million copies of your books (250 million!) if you can’t keep an audience hooked – and that’s what Archer does, book after book. Archer’s audience will stick with him to the last. They want to know what happens next (Erica Wagner, Literary Editor)
All stars
Most relevant
Jeffrey Archer certainly knows how to tell a story that keeps you listening and wanting to know more. It's a bit like a modern fairy story with set-backs and triumphs for the hero. We are told the story through the eyes of the main characters who tell us in turn their view of what happens as Harry grows from boy to manhood in the period from just after the First World War to the outbreak of the Second in 1939. There's quite a bit of period detail of life at this time sprinkled with historical facts that add to narrative. There's a certain old fashioned charm about the book that makes a pleasant change from all the modern detective fiction I've been reading/listening to recently. I can't wait for the next book in this story of Harry Clifton as this book ends on a cliff-hanger.
The two readers are very good. Roger Allam has a lovely gravelly voice that is a pleasure to listen to and he's pretty good at different accents.

Great story-telling

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I really enjoyed this book, the narration is excellent, and although the story isn't my usual reading material - I was absolutely gripped, and like some other reviewers I am now thinking - 'My goodness! How long must I wait for the next instalment?'

The characters were brilliantly drawn and I loved the way the storytelling switches between the main characters and one sees the story from differing points of view.

I enjoyed Jeffrey Archer's original books and bought this on the strength of those, however when I found that the story was of a different genre I was initially disappointed - but how wrong I was.

I really cared what happened in the lives of the characters, and cannot wait for the existing 'cliff-hanger' to be explained.

A Surprise

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The story takes you on a journey viewing the lives of the characters from many angles. Each character's view point either 'fills in the gaps' for the questions you want answered, or leaves you more intrigued. At the start there are several characters who go on to be pivotal to the life that Harry leads. However, just when you think others cannot make a difference, they make an appearance and change your thoughts on what may or may not happen. You often find yourself planning ahead in your mind for what you think is going to happen, only to be thrown a 'curved ball'. A great story that becomes impossible to stop. Is there, Can there be, a sequel?

The other side of the story

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Another fabulous Jeffrey Archer book. Brilliantly read by Roger Allam & Emilia Fox. Roger's voice is so mesmerising. I can't wait for the next Chronicle!

Fab!

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Would you try another book written by Jeffrey Archer or narrated by Roger Allam and Emilia Fox ?

I have avoided Jeffrey Archer's books for years but recently read "A Prisoner At Birth" which I thoroughly enjoyed, hence, giving this one ago. It is easy listening & well narrated.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Roger Allam and Emilia Fox ?

Yes.

Ok but forgettable.

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