Book Bound: Review of Only Time Will Tell

Only Time Will Tell

The Clifton Chronicles: Volume One

Author: Jeffrey Archer

Only Time Will Tell is the first installment of ‘The Clifton Chronicles’ touted to be Archer’s most ambitious undertaking yet.

Only Time Will Tell - set in post World War I Bristol, England takes us through the riveting beginning of Harry Clifton’s journey.

Born to a War Hero, Arthur Clifton, who Harry believed died in the war. It is a very long journey after which Harry actually learns how his father died, and which in turn throws up the question of whether Arthur was even his father or not.

In the backdrop of the First World War and the inevitability of the Second World War, Harry meets with incredible characters, all who play a pivotal role in helping him achieve his potential.  

Harry’s mother, Maisie Clifton, widowed by the greed of enterprise, is the perfect mother, making every sacrifice after the tragic death of her husband to ensure that Harry gets everything he ever needed. An extraordinary and smart woman, Maisie is constantly faced with difficult choices, some which could even demean her character. She perseveres through it all to ensure that her son sees through school, high school and finds a place at Oxford.

As a young boy, Harry would accompany his uncle, Stan to the docks where he would work. Here Harry meets Old Jack Tar, a brilliant man with a troubled past. Old Jack Tar sparks the inquisitiveness for knowledge in Harry and coaxes him to attend school. It is at school that Harry discovers his exceptional vocal skills and wins a choral scholarship to a prestigious school in Bristol.

At school, Harry makes his first friends after Old Jack Tar, Deakins and Giles. The three boys form a bond for their entire life, which continues into High School and even at Oxford.  Giles is the son of Hugo Barrington, the owner of the docks that Harry’s father used to work. As the boys grow, their friendship strengthens and with that, Mr. Hugo Barrington’s hatred toward Harry grew as well, something that puzzled Giles and his mother. Mr. Hugo’s indifferent behavior was never clearly understood by Harry either.

Over time, Harry falls deeply in love with Giles’s sister, Emma. Mr. Barrington’s rage at this discovery brings his family to the brink of falling apart. It is at this time that he admits he may have been responsible for the death of Arthur Clifton.  Somehow, Harry overlooks this with the hope of being with Emma. Without much ado, Harry proposes to Emma, who willingly accepts. In the middle of this, Harry gets accepted in Oxford and also makes a shocking discovery about his mother.

Just before the wedding, Harry is introduced to the fact that Mr. Barrington might actually be his father. With this discovery and on understanding the potential implications, Harry stops attending classes at Oxford and decides to join the Navy. Harry hops aboard a cargo ship sailing towards America to learn the ropes of sailing. The unexpected announcement of war and a split second decision by Harry, and the serious implications that they might have will impact the course of the books to follow.

Jeffrey Archer’s style of narration is surely the highlight of the book, where each pivotal character progresses the story from their point of view. It is amazing to read the book in such a manner as it does not getting boring and key holes in the story get filled up along the way.

At the end of the book, many interesting questions get thrown up in the mind: Will Harry, now a completely different person be able to get out of the mess he has got himself into? Will he succeed Mr. Hugo Barrington for his entire Empire? Will Emma and Harry ever be able to be together?  

I would rate the book a 4/5 thanks to some great characters, the flow of the book and the fact that it leaves you hanging at a point where you just cant wait for the next one. It makes for a quick and enjoyable read. The narration style comes out on the top and makes me look forward to reading The Sins of the Father, the second installment of the Clifton Chronicles.