As the Crow Flies is a novel by Jeffrey Archer that tells the story of Charlie Trumper, a young boy who grows up in the East End of London and dreams of becoming a successful businessman. The book spans several decades, beginning in the early 1900s and ending in the 1960s, and follows Charlie as he navigates the challenges of life, love, and business.
Table of Content
As the Crow Flies Book Summary
Plot Summary
The novel begins with Charlie Trumper as a young boy, working in his grandfather's market stall in the East End of London. Despite his humble beginnings, Charlie dreams of one day owning his own store and becoming a successful businessman. As he grows older, Charlie faces numerous challenges, including the loss of his grandfather, the outbreak of World War I, and the Great Depression.
Despite these setbacks, Charlie remains determined to succeed. He eventually opens his own store, and over the years, he builds it into a successful chain of department stores. Along the way, he falls in love with a woman named Becky, but their relationship is complicated by class differences and the disapproval of Charlie's father.
The novel culminates in a dramatic showdown between Charlie and his rival, a wealthy businessman named Adrian Sloane. In the end, Charlie emerges victorious, having proven that hard work and determination can overcome even the greatest obstacles.
Character Analysis
Charlie Trumper is the protagonist of the novel. He is a hardworking and ambitious young man who is determined to succeed despite the odds. Over the course of the novel, he faces numerous challenges, but he never gives up on his dreams. Becky is the love interest of Charlie. She is a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to stand up for herself. Despite the obstacles that stand in their way, Charlie and Becky's love for each other remains strong throughout the novel.
Themes
The novel explores several themes, including the importance of hard work and determination, the impact of class on society, and the power of love and friendship.
Symbols and Motifs
The crow is a recurring symbol throughout the novel. It represents Charlie's determination and his willingness to overcome any obstacle in his path.
Writing Style
Jeffrey Archer's writing style is engaging and easy to read. The novel is written in a straightforward and accessible style that makes it easy for readers to follow the story.
Setting
The novel is set primarily in London, England, during the early 1900s to the 1960s. The setting is important to the story because it reflects the social and economic conditions of the time.
Conflict
The main conflict of the novel is between Charlie Trumper and his rival, Adrian Sloane. The two men are competing for control of the department store market in London.
Climax
The climax of the novel occurs when Charlie and Adrian engage in a high-stakes business deal that will determine the future of their respective companies.
Resolution
In the end, Charlie emerges victorious, having proven that hard work and determination can overcome even the greatest obstacles. He is able to build his business into a successful chain of department stores and live a happy and fulfilling life with Becky.
As the Crow Flies Book Review
As the Crow Flies is a compelling and engaging novel that tells the story of a young man's journey from humble beginnings to great success. Jeffrey Archer's writing style is accessible and easy to read, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. The novel explores important themes such as the importance of hard work and determination, the impact of class on society, and the power of love and friendship. Overall, As the Crow Flies is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story about overcoming adversity and achieving success.
As the Crow Flies Quotes
"The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there."
"He had always been a solitary child, happiest alone in his bedroom with his books and his thoughts for company."
As the Crow Flies Key Points
Historical Accuracy
The novel is set during the early 1900s to the 1960s and accurately reflects the social and economic conditions of the time.
Family Dynamics
The novel explores the complex relationships between family members, particularly between Charlie and his father.
Coming of Age
The novel follows Charlie as he grows from a young boy to a successful businessman, and explores the challenges he faces along the way.
FAQs for As the Crow Flies
What is the significance of the title?
The title "As the Crow Flies" refers to the idea that distance can be measured in a straight line, without taking into account the obstacles that may lie in the way. This reflects Charlie's determination to overcome any obstacle in his path.
What is the main conflict of the novel?
The main conflict of the novel is between Charlie Trumper and his rival, Adrian Sloane, as they compete for control of the department store market in London.
How does the protagonist change throughout the story?
Over the course of the novel, Charlie Trumper grows from a young boy to a successful businessman. He faces numerous challenges along the way, but he never gives up on his dreams.
What is the role of class in the novel?
The novel explores the impact of class on society, particularly in terms of the challenges faced by Charlie and Becky as they navigate their relationship.
What is the significance of the historical setting?
The historical setting is important to the story because it reflects the social and economic conditions of the time, and provides a backdrop for the challenges faced by the characters.
What is the role of family in the novel?
The novel explores the complex relationships between family members, particularly between Charlie and his father. These relationships play an important role in shaping the characters and the story.
What is the significance of the protagonist's relationship with his father?
Charlie's relationship with his father is complicated by their class differences and their differing views on what constitutes success. This relationship plays an important role in shaping Charlie's character and his journey throughout the novel.
What is the role of gender in the novel?
The novel explores the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated society, particularly through the character of Becky.
What is the significance of the protagonist's love interest?
Becky is an important character in the novel because she represents the idea that love can overcome even the greatest obstacles.
What is the message of the novel?
The novel's message is that hard work and determination can overcome even the greatest obstacles, and that success is possible for anyone who is willing to work for it.
Conclusion
As the Crow Flies is a compelling and engaging novel that tells the story of a young man's journey from humble beginnings to great success. The novel explores important themes such as the importance of hard work and determination, the impact of class on society, and the power of love and friendship. Overall, As the Crow Flies is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story about overcoming adversity and achieving success.