Jeffrey Archer- And Therby Hangs a Tale.

[Garmard]

Just bought the book on a whim....Any AB'er's read it yet? What is it like?

[Garmard]

I take it not one person has even placed a book mark even on the first page?

[heathfield]

Doh! -There's one sure way to find out what it's like

[treetops1]

I think some of the stories had been in a previous book. Perhaps Twist in the Tail .I had it from the Library so cost me nothing. Took it back after the first story.

[andy-hughes]

I don;t know why JA is so maligned as a writer. i have read a lot of his novels, and found the thoroughly entertaining. Maybe there is a degree of snobbery involved?

I don't see why an exerable human being can't write decent escapist literature.

He is - and he does.

[treetops1]

I enjoyed his prison diaries and Cain and Able.It`s his short stories I can`t get into.

[jno]

I read one once, can't remember which, but it was pretty dire. Like Dan Brown, he's an ugly writer, uses cliches rather than original expression, has his words tripping over one another. You can just tell he dictates it into a machine, someone types it up, and his publishers don't dare edit it. He's not a bad 'storyteller' but an awful writer.

[askyourgran]

I don't particulaly like reading short stories, and I wouldn't pick JA's book. I'm a big fan of Peter Robinson's books but his book "A peice of my heart" was of short stories and I just wanted to get my teeth into his usual crime thrillers.

[Tizzi24]

I agree andy, I quite like JA's books (but not the man). I have yet to read a rubbish novel of his.

[chakka35]

It's a matter of taste, I suppose. I find JA's writing very self-conscious, as if he's always looking for an adjective or an adverb, usually unnecessarily. With his cardboard characters and stilted dialogue he reminds me of that other very popular author, Agatha Christie.
He is way outclassed by authors like Bernard Cornwell, George Macdonald Fraser, Peter Robinson, Robert Goddard, J D Robb, Jeffery Deaver and a dozen more.