Only Time Will Tell

Some people stand by you in your darkest hour, while others walk away; only a select few march towards you and become even closer friends.

Sometimes, reading is as good as experiencing. We immerse ourself in the world created by the author and refuse to let go of it. Clifton Chronicles is one that would remain with me for quite some time. The series is even worth reading a second time.

Only Time Will Tell was there in my to-read list for the past one and half years. But I started reading it only last week, and it didn’t take me a week to finish it!

This is my first proper Jeffrey Archer book. I’ve read one of his short stories some time ago, which was just okay. But the first book in the Clifton Chronicles was entirely different. A few chapters into this book, I realised why the series is called the most ambitious work of the author in four decades. The connection of the story to the pre world war era and other historical events during that time shows the effort and dedication the author has put in to create such a beautiful story. .

The style of storytelling is also worth mentioning. The story cycles between main characters; telling the story from a first person view and then from a third person view. You might read the same incident twice; different side of it through different perspectives. The author himself told in an interview that he could have written this in only a third person perspective. He considered the former as a challenge. I would say that he was successful in implementing it.

Only Time Will Tell, tells the story of Harry Clifton, who lives in Bristol with his Mom. The story starts around the time when he was five years old, although there are flashbacks of the incidents before that. I want to tell more about the story, but I can’t do it without spoiling it in a great deal.

So, here comes the spoilers.

I loved the characters, especially Maisie Clifton, Captain Jack Tarrant (Old Jack) and Emma Barrington; they proves how passionate and true a love can be as a mom, mentor and lover respectively. I loved Harry and Emma as a couple. I just hope they are not siblings.

There are many beautiful moments in the story. Here are a few of my favourites. The first one is where young Harry goes to buy a gift. Towards the end, we all know Old Jack paid 10 shillings for the watch that costs 16 shillings, and told Mr. Deakins to mention the price as 6 shillings to Harry. But when Harry tells him that he is buying the watch for his Mom, Mr. Deakins says he can have it for 5 shillings. That is simply heart-touching.

And, how can I miss Harry and Emma quoting Romeo and Juliet before parting for the night?

‘Good night, good night, parting is such sweet sorrow,’ she whispered.

‘That I shall say good night till it be morrow,’ Harry replied.

They are amazing together, and I wish I could see them playing Romeo and Juliet on stage.