Only Time Will Tell Read-a-Long! discussion

I adore Emma. I love that she is pursuing an education. I love her relationship with Harry. I love that she has the sense to doubt her father. But still not sure what to think about this whole brother/sister situation! The end of this section ends with a bang! Old Jack does what we all know must have been very difficult, but VERY necessary. Would you have intervened the way Old Jack did?

I wanted to take a moment to discuss the structure of writing here. I really enjoy the way that Archer will tell one aspect of the story several times over, but from different character's perspectives. For instance, seeing the growth of Emma and Harry’s relationship from Harry’s perspective is quite different than Emma’s. Do you like the way this is structured?

*Remember, one winner will be randomly selected from the comments below to win the second, third, and fourth books in the CLIFTON CHRONICLES SERIES*

I was amazed that Jack waited as long as he did to stop the wedding. I know that he made promises, etc. that parts of various stories pertaining to Harry's life, but was beginning to suspect that Jack may have had information that would prove Arthur to be Harry's father so he wasn't concerned about it.

Although I like the character Emma, she doesn't seem to be the type I would have envisioned for Harry. Yes she is determined to get through the schooling, but it seems more so she can be close to Harry than because she wants to learn.

And yes, I very much like the way the story is laid out. Being able to get the story from multiple perspective in this case, is a great help to understanding all the nuances. I think this form wouldn't work for most story types, but in this case it is an efficient and interesting way to propel the reader through such a vast array of information over such a large time span.

Kelsey wrote: "I wanted to take a moment to discuss the structure of writing here. I really enjoy the way that Archer will tell one aspect of the story several times over, but from different character's perspectives. For instance, seeing the growth of Emma and Harry’s relationship from Harry’s perspective is quite different than Emma’s. Do you like the way this is structured?..."

Yes, that's what made the book work for me. When I wrote a review of this after I read it a year or so ago, I commented on the structure: "The book is told in parts, each part a different character’s point of view. In this way, we learn more and more. And the mysteries surrounding different characters are cleared up or built up. . . .

"Family sagas such as this book can be overly long and boring, especially for readers who enjoy books of thrills and suspense. I’m betting, though, that even those readers will love ONLY TIME WILL TELL. What saves it is Archer’s style. By telling the story from different character’s points of view, he keeps adding mysteries and solving them, building suspense by way of Hugo Barrington and the limping former policeman he employs.. . .

"Also, Archer’s method, telling the story from various points of view, rounds out his characters. . . ."

Emma is a determined girl without being obnoxious and I like this in her, but I also agree with Linda that she is not what I'd pictured for Harry. As much as I like Harry as a person, he is too bland. I loved Old Jack and was hoping we'd see him in the next book. Also, Giles is one of my favorite characters.

I do like the structure that Archer has set up, because I love to get people's different view points in a situation. The different sides help a person to fully understand a situation before they make a harsh verdict, whether in this book or in life.

I have finished and looking forward till the next installment!

I love the way the story is laid out. It makes me think of a painting first comes the sketch then slowly each character adds to the background until the reader sees the whole story. If only I could do this is real life :)

I love this book! I loved how the story is told by the great characters especially Old Jack. I knew he would be the one to tell the secret of Hugo potentially being Harry's father.

I felt so sad for Harry and Emma. Their playing Romeo and Juliet foretold their future. Can't wait to read the rest of the Clifton stories. Will definitely be reading more books by Jeffrey Archer too!

Yes, the way Archer lays out the story from different characters' viewpoints is what makes the book as good as it is. It will be interesting to see how he lays out the other books in this series, probably the same.

Agreed. The layout adds to the success of the book. It shows each character's viewpoint of the same incidents. At first I was a bit unsure how it would come together, but the more I got into it the more I truly enjoyed it.

Emma is a character to reckon with!! A favorite of mine.

How was there relationship allowed to go this far? Hugo is just an evil person, so I knew he wouldn't say anything and even took the coward's way out by sneaking away when the truth came out. But I don't believe, after all Maisie did for Harry so far in the book, that she would keep silent even under threat. And what's Jack's excuse? I feel a little let down by his character right now...if he was such a friend and father figure, I feel he would have said something when he first suspected the seriousness of their relationship.
I do love how the book shows the perspective of all the main characters. Most of the time when authors use this style, it makes the story more confusing, but I think it works well with this book and helps with the mystery.

To Kelsey's comment about the writing structure of this book, to me it was one of the things that I most liked about it. It's so interesting not only to see the different perspectives of the characters, but how Jeffrey manages to advance the story without making it confusing to follow. Once more he shows what a master storyteller he is.

Linda wrote: "I was amazed that Jack waited as long as he did to stop the wedding. I know that he made promises, etc. that parts of various stories pertaining to Harry's life, but was beginning to suspect that ..."

I was surprised Jack waited as long as he did, too. Disappointed, even though he did try to warn them at the Romeo and Juliet performance. It does, however, fit with his norm of preferring to be in the background and a silent partner of sorts.

I also love the layout of the book. It certainly adds to the depth of the characters and draws the reader in to relate to each one, the depth of feelings for each of them.

Emma is strong, intelligent and willful. Her youthful joy with the wedding and her love for Harry was refreshing and a pleasure to read. It was not a surprise to find out she's pregnant but will be so interesting to see how that plays out and I do hope it turns out for the best.

Old Jack does the one thing young couples have nightmares about on their wedding day! It's unfortunate but it did have to happen. It's even more unfortunate what Harry and Emma did before the wedding.

I love how you get to see how each character sees the same situation differently. I have enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next three!

Poor Harry and Emma. I love this book though, as it mirrors so many things true in life. The dread secret held by Hugo and Maisie comes out. Why did Maisie not say anything is what I don't understand? I can see Hugo not saying anything as he is very selfish and is worried that Harry will inherit the family fortune, but I don't understand Maisie at all. Old Jack should never have been put in the situation of feeling that he must reveal their secret.
I look forward to how they determine Harry's father, as it must not have been easy before DNA testing.

Emma is interesting as she has grown up in a wealthy family, is very smart and seems to have a lot going for her. She does try to control Harry though, as is seen in her birthday gift to him, although it does seem like Harry's desire to join the armed forces if war is declared will trump her desire to keep him in England. (Although I wonder if his color-blindness will foil that plan too). Of course, all of this is now up in the air! It wasn't hard to guess Emma's situation at the end of the chapter. On to read what will happen next!!!

Also - for those who have read other J. Archer books, is this writing style unique to this series, or a tool he uses in other books? I have enjoyed it quite a lot, as their are unique "voices" in each section of the book, spoken from their differing perspectives.

Emma seems to be the kind of character that I expected Maisie would become: the driven, capable woman who succeeds beyond her status in life.

Archer put enough clues in the story that Old Jack's actions were not surprising to me; I thought the way the wedding scene was written was very good. Having officiated at weddings myself I thought the minister's handling was dead on, and the way Lord Harvey handled the situation was wonderful.

Perhaps Jack was waiting for Maisie to break the news to Harry of why he can't marry Emma. But as the wedding plans were made, I would have thought he would have confronted Maisie about her failure to tell Harry and then approach Harry in private if Maisie still refused to do it. Interrupting the wedding makes a great scene in a book, but does not fit with how people actually behave. I was hoping that once Mrs. Barrington knew who Harry's father was, she would reveal that Emma is not really Hugo's child (which would mean they could get married after all). But it looks like that is wishful thinking on my part. I don't see how it can ever be proved beyond a doubt that Harry is not Hugo's child, so the relationship seems doomed. I hope not! Time to read on and find out.

I was also very surprised that Jack waited until the actual wedding to bring up the the bad news. I would have thought he would at least said something the night before especially to spare Emma and Harry the public embarrassment. He was a complicated character, and also, I think the most believable. But poor Emma. I will be interested to see how she figures into the continuing saga.

I do like the structure of the book - it's like a photo mosaic. Looking at each character's perspective, you see their details and emotions. Stepping back though, each provides a piece of a bigger picture. Each section has some essential elements without which the story would be incomplete.

Will the mystery of why Jack Tar waited ever be solved?

How tragic for Harry and Emma. It is unfortunate that someone didn't intervene before the wedding day.

Archer is artful in the way he introduces and solves mysteries by presenting the tale from different characters' viewpoints.

Emma is an admirable character, much like Harry's mother. It seems that Harry and Emma's progeny may also be raised by a single mother.

I do like the structure of the book. I don't think this would always work, but Archer pulled it off well. You really get to know the characters well and get to see the story from all angles. I feel so bad for Emma and Harry. I can't ever imagine a worse wedding day. Yikes.. I hope it works out for them.

Who knowingly lets their mother prostitute herself to put them through college? You want to go to college you prostitute yourself! :P

Good point or find a part time job to help get you through.

Dana wrote: "Who knowingly lets their mother prostitute herself to put them through college? You want to go to college you prostitute yourself! :P"

I can't remember what section of the book that is in - if this is a spoiler, please mark it as such to not ruin it for people who aren't there yet in the book.

Times were quite different back then. It's not fair to judge her based on today's standards. She didn't really have a lot of choices. We have seen admirable intelligence and resourcefulness in Maisie throughout the story. It's not like she immediately jumped into the easiest thing she could find in order to give Harry a better life.

It's also not like Harry knew what his mom was doing until she had been at the speakeasy for quite some time.

It's not a spoiler, it was discovered in the previous chapter. When Giles and Harry went to the nightclub.Plus Harry confessed his concerns to Emma in this current chapter.

I'm so upset with Old Jack! I understand it was a difficult circumstance but what the hell! It's not his secret to tell. I know he wasn't aware that Emma was pregnant and I wonder if he still would have gone ahead with the truth if he knew?

In my opinion, if I knew that she was pregnant I wouldn't have said anything. It's already too late so might as well try to let the poor couple have some happiness in their lives.

Thanks, Dana. There were other spoilers posted that aggravated me (and others) - just wanted to make sure. :)

I agree with you in wondering if Old Jack would have said anything if he had known she was pregnant - after all, we still don't know if Harry really is Hugo's son and, well, even if he is, the damage is already done. Might as well make the most of it.

No Problem. I'm not 100% sure if she was prostituting herself or how far it went but Harry seemed to think she was a prostitute so that's why I was upset at how unconcerned he was. That is such a huge sacrifice and I wouldn't let my mother go that far for me.

But I'm not certain what year he was in when he found out. Maybe it was his last. And of course his mother is a grown woman who can make her own choices, it just seemed like her bad luck never ends.

I really enjoyed reading from Emma's perspective; you can really see why Harry would adore her. She's clever, ambitious, loving and special. It breaks my heart to know that it's likely she can't marry Harry because the colour-blindness does point towards Hugo being Harry's father. I think Old Jack was right but also wrong at the same time with how he intervened - he was right to do so because Harry and Emma must know the situation but he was wrong in waiting until that moment. He should have tried to talk Harry's mother into telling Harry and Emma; not Hugo because Old Jack would probably come to a sticky end after that.

I think it was lovely to relive the early love story of Harry and Emma through Emma's eyes. I wish I could do that with more books and see how the other character viewed events. Sometimes I'd like to do that in life.....

Poor Poor Emma. An innocent victim in all this. I guess we will have to wait to see if Harry is her brother and the poor child.

I do wonder how harry looks. Does he mostly represent Maisie in all this and not at all Hugo Barrington?

Dana wrote: "I'm so upset with Old Jack! I understand it was a difficult circumstance but what the hell! It's not his secret to tell. I know he wasn't aware that Emma was pregnant and I wonder if he still would..."

But what if the baby ends up being born deformed or something horrible? At least this way they would know why. I think that Old Jack would have still spilled the beans.

I also love the writing structure of this book with each character getting to tell their own perspective in individual chapters. Harry didn't notice Emma peaking out the window when they first met, but from Emma's point of view, she fell in love with him at first sight.

Now I'm thinking that Mr. Archer has us all fooled. Not many authors are comfortable with writing about incest and I think that most of us readers are jumping the gun with our assumptions. Great writing!!! It's keeping us on our toes.

Love the writing style and the layout. Kind of knew Emma would be pregnant. Knew from a few spoilers that the wedding would be halted. Not convinced that Maisie is a prostitute. Really enjoying this book, will probably give it 5 stars which I rarely do. Will read the sequel, but currently reading 13 books, so it may take time.