As the Crow Flies

I have never before finished reading a novel that is 800 pages long within such a short time - two working days and a Sunday! This in itself is a testimony to Archer's storytelling prowess. The saga of Charlie and Becky Trumper is highly entertaining, with interesting characters and a flowing narrative that, through changing perspectives, takes the reader along on a fun ride, while providing a commentary on the history of twentieth-century England, and that of the world. Though the characters are in black and white, without any shade of grey, and some plot turns are a bit too convenient, Archer does not let the reader dwell on these shortcomings. Instead, he has concentrated on giving the reader a good time, and has succeeded well enough.

Charlie Trumper's earliest memory is of hearing his grandfather's sales patter from behind his fruit and veg barrow. When his grandfather dies suddenly Charlie wants nothing more than to follow in his footsteps; his burning ambition is to own 'The Biggest Barrow in the World', a shop that will sell everything.

This book is a rags to riches tale taking us from the teeming streets of Whitechapel to the elegance of Chelsea Terrace spanning some 70 years (from 1900 to 1971) through the triumphs and disasters of 20th century Britain. My copy was in excess of 700 pages long yet it didn't really feel like it, its a relatively quick read if not a particularly fulfilling one.

I did like the way that the story switched perspective from one show more character to another, filling in the blanks as it did so. That made for some interesting transitions, but also meant a certain amount of repetition.

I found that this rather fat novel thin on substance. Too much of the book seemed to centre around just how Charlie managed to buy each shop, how much he paid for them and how quickly he was able to make them profitable again that it left little room for character development. They all seemed paper-thin and one dimensional. As always I found Archer's writing enjoyable but ultimately I simply couldn't shake off the feeling that I'd read it all before in 'Kane and Abel'. show less

Overall, an enjoyable read, even though the plot offered little in the way of a captivating crisis. Would Charlie Trumper succeed in fulfilling his dreams of building a bigger department store? Hardly compelling on the surface. Yet I still enjoyed the rags-to-riches story of the young entrepreneur from London's east end who overcomes early socio-economic disadvantages and survives the Western Front in order to build Trumper's -- a thriving publicly owned shopping centre which rivaled the world's best, despite the attempts of his bitter rival to thwart his aspirations. In Charlie Trumper, author Jeffrey Archer creates a main character who I could root for. A rather long, but easy read, worth the time invested.

Jeffrey Archer has proven himself many times. As The Crow Flies proves that he hit the ground running and was already a very good storyteller while young. He knows that even if he repeats himself, as long as there are enough new twists to the plot of any of his book, he'll be forgiven, and his works, enjoyed.

I was thoroughly entertained reading this book which has a few lulls, but which forced me to have stakes in the story at a time when I felt temporarily indifferent. After all why should I care if a millionaire (even self made) is risking his benefits and at worst, would be a bit poorer. No skin off MY nose! Well the author had other thoughts. He made me care.

I no longer think Kane And Abel is this writer's best book. That praise show more went to Be Careful What You Wish For...now...I'm no longer sure. This book, which I've just read, is one of the strongest 5 star books I've ever rated. The plot points, fleshed out through the way characters behave, present themselves and motivate themselves, generate inexhaustible supply of surprises. Everything is perfectly clear in the book. As The Crow Flies defies any gross accusation that can be thrown at it. It deserved to be read. It's pure entertainment, of the type that can only be offered by books and their makers. show less

At 738 pages this isn't a particularly short novel by any means, but the story within is worth everyone of those pages. It's an epic tale of a young man with a dream and covers the unfolding expansion of a little fruit and vegetable wheelbarrow business into some far larger. We see the first world war come and go, the great depression, the second world war, the post war boom and more through the eyes of a man trying to run his business.

Along the way we meet the Trenthams who are possibly the most unlikable and scheming characters (excluding the husband) that I've encountered in a novel.

This was just a really good book, which was a pleasant surprise considering I wasn't really that enthused by the blurb but once I started reading I was show more really drawn into the story, the characters and the unfolding situation. Would really recommend. show less

Hugely enjoiyable and entertaining. My one criticism of J.A's books is that time runs either very slowlly or at an alarming speed, keeping me guessing how old the characters are. Rollicking good read, though, when there is always a twist at the end.

If your dream is big enough, not even your enemies can stop you ...Charlie Trumper's earliest memory is of hearing his grandfather's sales patter from behind his costermonger's barrow. When Grandpa Charlie dies, young Charlie wants nothing more than to follow in his footsteps -- his burning ambition is to own a shop that will sell everything: 'The Biggest Barrow in the World'. Charlie's progress from the teeming streets of Whitechapel to the elegance of Chelsea Terrace is only a few miles as the crow flies. But in Jeffrey Archer's expert hands it becomes an epic journey through the triumphs and disasters of the century, as Charlie follows a thread of love, ambition and revenge to fulfil the dream his grandfather inspired.