ONLY Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer is the story of Harry Clifton, a rather unfortunate boy, born to a hard working mother. His father dies even before he learns to walk and his childhood is shadowed by his boorish uncle and grandfather who is hard of hearing and speaks rarely. Harry’s mother works as waitress and sends him to school, where his talent for music and golden voice is discovered. He goes on to take his place in Oxford. His closest friend is Giles, whose family is in the shipping business. Giles’ sister Emma and Harry fall in love. On the day of his marriage, life goes topsy-turvy for Harry as he discovers that he might be a half brother of Emma and Giles. He joins the war, enrolling in a ship, which gets blown up. He lands in an American hospital. He decides to conceal his identity and take on the name of a captain killed in the ship. That seems to be the unkindest cut of the fate. For the identity he chooses is that of a man charged with first degree murder. Jeffrey Archer keeps the reader hanging in hope till the end, that at some point Harry’s fortune would turn and he would be given his due share of luck and happiness. Yet another best seller from Archer. (Pan Macmillan, 20 New Wharf Road, London N1 9RR) -VN
