Only Time Will Tell

The Clifton Chronicles, Book 1

By: Jeffrey Archer

Narrated by: Roger Allam, Emilia Fox

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

From the internationally bestselling author Jeffrey Archer comes Only Time Will Tell, the first in the ambitious Clifton Chronicles series that tells the story of one family across generations, across oceans, from heartbreak to triumph.

The epic tale of Harry Clifton's life begins in 1920, with the words "I was told that my father was killed in the war." A dock worker in Bristol, Harry never knew his father, but he learns about life on the docks from his uncle, who expects Harry to join him at the shipyard once he's left school. But then an unexpected gift wins him a scholarship to an exclusive boys' school, and his life will never be the same again.

As he enters into adulthood, Harry finally learns how his father really died, but the awful truth only leads him to question, was he even his father? Is he the son of Arthur Clifton, a stevedore who spent his whole life on the docks, or the firstborn son of a scion of West Country society, whose family owns a shipping line?

This introductory novel in Archer's engrossing series The Clifton Chronicles includes a cast of colorful characters and takes us from the ravages of the Great War to the outbreak of the Second World War, when Harry must decide whether to take up a place at Oxford or join the navy and go to war with Hitler's Germany. From the docks of working-class England to the bustling streets of 1940 New York City, Only Time Will Tell takes listeners on a journey through to future volumes, which will bring to life one hundred years of recent history to reveal a family story that neither the listener nor Harry Clifton himself could ever have imagined.

©2011 Jeffrey Archer (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Archer delivers another page-turning, heart-stopping saga, with delightful twists, and a surprise ending… readers will surely wait for the next with bated breath.” —Publishers Weekly

“General readers as well as Archer fans will enjoy this unforgettable tale, which abounds with cliff-hangers that propel its intriguing and intricate plot.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“What appears at the outset to be a straightforward coming-of-age tale becomes, by the end, a saga of power, betrayal, and bitter hatred. The novel ends on a deliberately dark note, setting the stage for the sequel…An outstanding effort from a reliable veteran.” —Booklist (starred Review)

Fantastic Characters!

This book has some amazing characters that you will fall in love with. I find them to be so authentic and believable. It's a positive and uplifting story.

Gripping....

extremely well-written novel with well-developed characters on a plug that hold your attention all the way to the end.. With a very definite shocker for an ending!

Love it!

Like always Jeffrey Archer captivates my mind and this book its not exception. Love the characters and the story.

A good start.

This was a nice easy read and Mr. Archer is a great story teller. Am anxious to start listening to book 2 right away.

Good ole rags to riches yarn

Any additional comments?

Archer is great at spinning a tale of an ordinary bloke making a splash and showing his oppressors that he is made of better stuff than those who are born with the silver spoon. That being said, inaccuracies and sloppy research bothered me. Here we have a fellow being arrested in the United States and being given the Miranda warning, something that was not written into law until the sixties and this took place before WWII. His mother has an excellent career and plenty of contacts but resorts to prostitution after a minor setback. The book made me suspend disbelief beyond my comfort level. Entertaining though I don't know if I will download the second installment. Archer seems like he is just knocking out this series for the cash.

Jeffrey Archer is a great storyteller

Would you listen to Only Time Will Tell again? Why?

Another exceptional book from Jeffrey Archer. This is part one in a series, but it stands alone as a very entertaining book as well; though I am intrigued about subsequent books in the series. Regardless, you cannot go wrong either reading or listening to something by Jeffrey Archer.

Excellent family / class battle saga

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The story pulls you in from page one.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Only Time Will Tell?

Love the telling of Harry's first days of boarding school.

What does Roger Allam and Emilia Fox bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Love the narration, the male voice is like butter!

A new favorite!

Great story, well developed plot, well read! I tried to give it 5 stars, but only 4 registered! I highly recommend it !

Great story, turns where you might not expect them

Don't get to read often - glad I took a chance on this (was free at the time). Amazing book, would love to read the rest of the books.

Great Book Great Author.

Love Jeffrey Archer never been disappointed with any of his books. What a great story teller.