As the crow flies is a rags to riches story of Charlie Trumper, a kind, honest and brave man. The book is settled on a charming romance, enfolding dramas and scandals with an obstinate and dangerous rival, the world wars and his business evolution over generations.

Charlie kept his head high and tackled every problem thrown by his enemies through his intelligence and family support. I completely adore his relationship with Becky, they were goals. Despite some sorrowful parts, the ending had me in hysteria. I always knew that Charlie is my most favorite character throughout the entire book.

تماماً كما تقول عنه النيويورك تايمز في عبارة الغلاف : جيفري آرتشر هو عبقري الروايات المسلية ..

ذلك النوع من الروايات الذي يشعك بأن حياتك في داخل الرواية بينما يومياتك العادية في صحوك هي الهامش ..

رواية طويلة نوعاً ما ولكنها ملحمة انسانية ثرية جداً بالشخصيات التي حتماً .. ستجد نفسك في احدها

Wasted my time on this

3,5

When I was reading the book, I can't help but to read it hastily, I just want to know what happens next, all while knowing I should slow down and enjoy the journey of Charlie's life..

I ended up reading all 617 pages in less than 24 hours, postponing my sleep till 5a.m, when Charlie would already be up to start his day with his barrow..

And now that the book is over, how do I unread this book so I can enjoy the tale as if it's the first time reading it...

p/s: But I wished we delve further into Daniel's death and presented with his parents' grief, it was too brief and quickly moved on which I hoped Archer would stay a bit longer there..

Archer makes a 600 page book feel like a 200 page. He knows how to write a plot and keep his readers glued to the pages of his book. The plot was really good, suspenseful and carefully thought out- my only problem is that Archer could have get to the point a bit sooner.
A really nice read! I recommend.

Ich war mit ziemlich unsicher, wie ich das Buch bewerten sollte. Die bisher gelesenen Bücher der Clifton-Reihe liebe ich, und ich weiß, dass ich "Triumph und Fall" ohne diese Reihe ohne zu Zögern mit 5 Sternen beurteilt hätte.
Da sich aber einzelne Geschichten, Anekdoten und Familienhintergründe z. T. sehr stark ähneln, war ich etwas enttäuscht und schwankte zwischenzeitlich sogar zwischen 2 und 3 Sterne.
Dass es nun doch 4 Sterne wurden, ist der Tatsache zu verdanken, dass Jeffrey Archer ein begnadete Geschichtenerzähler ist und ich das Buch kaum aus den Händen legen könnte.

A rags to riches story,a barrow boy makes it big.Goes through both world wars,and into the 1960s.Some familiar plot devices.
Very lengthy,but still enjoyable.

Once again, Jeffrey Archer hasn't disappointed me. Even though the book is almost 800 pages long, only around 50 pages must have dragged. Whenever I felt the book was just starting to bore a bit, Jeffrey Archer would strike back with a terrific plot twist or just something interesting and keep me engaged again. The boring pages are negligible. I highly recommend this book to people who are interested in reading about how a business is built from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most successful in the world.

Finally finished. Loved it!!

This is by far the best Jeffrey Archer book I have read. The story follows an East End barrow boy over 60 years from selling fruit off his granddad’s barrow to becoming a millionaire owning a retail empire. What was good about the book all the characters were given their own piece of the book so we could see their character in depth. This is a book you cannot put down once you start to read it. An all round superb read. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you only read 1 Jeffrey Archer book make it this one.

OH my what do I say. This book was published some 20 years ago but truly it is timeless. The joy in this novel is in the story telling -- all 600 pages of it devoted to draw you into the richness of the characters as they are woven into this saga spanning decades. Many authors have made their books long-- but end up just filling the pages with fluff....not so for archer--I relished each page and was sort of disappointed when I reached the end.

The character's individual parts are stories within themselves but Archer weaves them into the overall story like the master story teller he is. You will love some and really hate others as Archer brings them to life for you.

This is really the life story of a man named Charlie Trumper born into poverty with great dreams and the disposition to fulfil them. This book was a great read and I am a better person for reading it and sharing Charlie's pursuit of his dreams and life....