#73

Another of my favorite authors has started a saga. First in the series is "Only Time Will Tell" by Jeffrey Archer. I was off for two days and I started it late yesterday and just finished it. Not a small novel, either. Young Harry Clifton is born in the early 1920's into poverty in Bristol, England. His mother is a waitress and his father a dockworker. Or was he? Mom had a little fling with the wealthy dock owner's son just weeks before her wedding to the dock worker. Little Harry was born 8 months after the wedding with no one questioning his paternity since the husband thought he was her first. Dad dies mysteriously a short time after Harry's birth. Young Harry shows great potential and ends up making his way through prestigious schools on scholarships and becoming best friends with none other than the son of the wealthy dock owner's grandson. Yep! His half brother, but, of course they don't know they are siblings. Only three people know the truth about the paternity. Loved the way Archer wrote this one and am anxious for next spring's release of the second book.

Back to the grind tomorrow for an 8 day stretch. Won't be off now until my friend shows up on the 24th for her visit. With a little luck I'll get 3 days off in a row so that we can catch up.

Excellent read

I just finished the new novel by Jeffrey Archer called "Paths of Glory." This was an excellent read. The characters were real and unfortunately we don't know the ending so a little liberty was taken there. The novel was about George Mallory who grew up dreaming of climbing in a time when the equipment to make that endeavor easy had not been invented. He scaled the outside of walls and buildings in his youth and soon found himself on the expedition to conquer Mt. Everest. The first attempt in the early 1920's was not a success and he thought he would never get the chance again but in 1924 at the age of 37 he was back on the mountain one more time. He was last seen 600 feet from the top. His body was found in 1999 and it still remains a mystery whether he ever reached the summit. By the end of the book you'll be a believer.

Better

I'm doing much better in the root canal department. No longer need drugs and just feeling a little pressure.

Finished a great book by Jeffrey Archer. "A Prisoner of Birth." Archer is a former member of the House of Commons, and the House of Lords in Britain. He's also spent two years in Her Majesty's prison. He's written wonderful stories, including "Kane and Abel," which is one of my all time favorite books and was a TV miniseries. I enjoyed this one book immensely. He took his legal knowledge and his prison knowledge to write this story. He took the main character from the East End of London. A young man with a future as a mechanic in his fiance's Father's garage. The night he proposes to his girl is the night that life changed. He's accused of a murder and sent to prison where he's befriended by his cell mates. This leads to a total life change for him and a way to escape his wrongful conviction. He's seeking revenge and setting his traps. Throw in a little "Prince and the Pauper." Definitely a hard book to put down.

Spent some time with my new friend. A little comfort food, knitting and chatting at a necessary time. Thanks MA!