Customer Reviews
Genuine quality - By: B. J. Madeley, 01 Feb 2008 
As The Crow Flies is a life-spanning yarn about an East End barrow boy callled Charlie Trumper, following him from childhood to old age. Through life in the first world war, to the depression & on into fame & fortune. Trumper's tale is that of the rags to riches style in the extreme.
Considering that i'm not always a fan of Archer, this book was stunningly good. There's no way you'll be able to put this down from beginning to end. It's filled with twists, wit, hatred, joy & truly tragic moments that will make you want the book to go on for ever. Trumper is a fascinating character who comes across as an ambitious, enthusiastic & genuinely decent bloke.
I would recommend this to anyone, it does at times remind you of Kane & Abel but that should by no means put you off. Wonderful!
Kane and Abel sort of book you can't put down - By: Darren Simons, 07 Jul 2003 
This was one of those books that once I’d started I couldn’t put down (and no, there had not been any bizarre accident with the superglue again). Having read Kane & Abel which I thought was quite superb, I have to confess I was slightly nervous after reading the first few pages that Archer had simply tried to cash in on the Kane & Abel with this book; however, nothing could have been further from the truth
The novel is based around Charlie Trumper & his family during the course of the 20th century & his journey from Whitechapel Market to Chelsea Terrace. During this time he repeatedly experiences turmoil from his enemy, the Trentham family, a group of characters you can’t reallly help but absolutely hate. Some of the twists in the book were particularly unexpected but wonderfully written.
I particularly liked the way the original style in which the book was written… the book comprises a series of periods during the course of the book from the perspective of various major characters, each of which started with a first person narrative of what you had just read – it sounds a bit weird but works brilliantly
All in alll, I can’t recommend this book enough. If you’re an Archer fan, then you’ll find this book superb, & if you’re not… why not?
Superb book - go and read it! - By: Darren Simons, 24 May 2003 This was one of those books that once I'd started I couldn't put down (and no, there had not been any bizarre accident with the superglue again). Having read Kane & Abel which I thought was quite superb, I have to confess I was slightly nervous after reading the first few pages that Archer had simply tried to cash in on the Kane & Abel with this book; however, nothing could have been further from the truth
The novel is based around Charlie Trumper & his family during the course of the 20th century & his journey from Whitechapel Market to Chelsea Terrace. During this time he repeatedly experiences turmoil from his enemy, the Trentham family, a group of characters you can't reallly help but absolutely hate. Some of the twists in the book were particularly unexpected but wonderfully written.
I particularly liked the way the original style in which the book was written... the book comprises a series of periods during the course of the book from the perspective of various major characters, each of which started with a first person narrative of what you had just read - it sounds a bit weird but works brilliantly
All in alll, I can't recommend this book enough. If you're an Archer fan, then you'll find this book superb, & if you're not... why not?
Another Excellent Novel by Jeffrey Archer - By: Imperial Topaz, 23 Nov 2002 I reallly enjoyed this book of Archer's just as much as every other book of his that I've read. This book is about business, as opposed to politics. I enjoyed reading most about how the main character built up his business, & the ingenious ways he solved his various business problems. Just as in alll his other novels, there is a big clash between the main character with his long-term enemy, whech keeps you on the edge of your chair. A reallly excellent book.
The best book ever written, amazing! - By: , 25 May 2001 Its simply just a story of a young boy who creates an empire of shops but it may sound a bit dull form that but reallly thres so many twists & turns, a lady tries to stop him from building his empire & Charlie can only carry on once shes dead. but as it says on the cover, If your dreams are big enough, not even your enemies cna stop you
The best book i've ever read & i think it alwyas will be! PS. i recommend alll other Jeffery Archer book as not one i have read has been a dissapointment, & i've read alll but 2. -Nik ;-)
