The name of Jeffrey Archer is synonymous with bestsellers, and he is
the only author to have been on the best seller list in the fiction,
non-fiction and short stories section. Archer combines a tenacity and
zeal for writing and storytelling that has not been surpassed by anyone
probably since the great Alexandre Dumas. However, the latest offering
of Archer titled, ‘The Sins of The Father‘,the second
instalment to his Clifton Chronicles fails to amaze us or think that a
master story telleris at work. The plot is quite uninteresting as many
parts of the book can be guessed by seasoned Archer fans. This is the
third time that Archer has disappointed me (the first time when he went
to prison and the second time when he wrote Cat O’ Nine Tales). However,
in spite of this lacklustre performance there are certain positives of
the book. Archer has a sense of characterization that can be sometimes
called haunting. In terms of sheer beauty of the scenes recreated
probably there is no living equal.
The plot again like the first volume of The Clifton Chronicles
revolves around Harry Clifton, the poor lad who schooled in Bristol and
went on to Oxford and then on to the navy. The book starts right where
the earlier book ended with Harry in New York where he is trialled for
murder andgets a six year sentence. This fact remains unknown to
everyone apart from a New York attorney. However Emma, his lady love
whom he could not marry due to a problem with the legitimacy of his
father; still harbours hope that Harry might be alive somewhere. Putting
two and two together Emma makes some guesses and reaches New York in
search of Harry. Her search went on foryears until finally she tracked
down Harry to England. In the meanwhile Hugo Barrington, Emma’s father
and probably Harry’s illegitimate father tries all that he can to
squander his inheritance,however like the end of every villain he is
slewed by a woman whom he double crossed in an attempt to keep up his
lavish lifestyle. The other main character of the plot Giles Barrington,
Harry’s closest friend and Hugo’s legitimate son meanwhile serves in
Africa where he is honoured for his gallantry. He escapes from a WWII
German PoW Camp and then returns triumphant to his motherland and
becomes a politician. However, things don’t go smooth as the question of
Hugo’sheir rises and Harry and Giles are pushed into a battlefield
which neither wants to go. The book ends leaving their fates in the air.
Like his earlier books, this one too ended with suspense and
intrigue. Archer leaves us in doubt as to which one of the gentlemen
would inherit the heir to the Barrington estate. We shall have to wait
till the end of 2013 to find this out when the third instalment of the
Clifton Chronicles are due to arrive. Unlike his other works, this book
seems to be too predictable at times and is dismay for seasoned Archer
readers. Some incidents seemed to be repeated from earlier works or
gives a feeling of deja vu to the writer. Probably in his effort to
create a new blend of storytelling, Archermay have goofed up a bit with
his style. Still, we expect that someone of the stature of Jeffrey
Archer will surely bounce back with another shocker or thriller whatever
one likes to call it.
This book will make excellent light reading over a weekend where one
has nothing to do. However, be pre warned that the vintage Jeffrey
Archer touch is missing in this narrative. Although it is not dry, but
at the same time it is not piping hot waiting to be tasted and enjoyed.
[This review was published here.]
No comments:
Post a Comment