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Only Time Will Tell  By  cover art

Only Time Will Tell

By: Jeffrey Archer
Narrated by: Roger Allam, Emilia Fox
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Publisher's summary

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

What listeners say about Only Time Will Tell

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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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.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Time Waster

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

Not only is the story line thin, the same thin story is told from each main characters perspective. The characters are also one dimensional and not believable.

What a waste of listners time!

Would you ever listen to anything by Jeffrey Archer again?

No

Which character – as performed by Roger Allam and Emilia Fox – was your favorite?

Old Jack

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Boredom

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Predictable Story

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Found the story uninteresting and boring. Characters are unbelievable.

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

No but this author has.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Most boring narrator. He sounded bored with the story as well.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment.

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1 person found this helpful