As the Crow Flies

As the Crow Flies chronicles the rise of the Trumper retail empire in early 20th century London, following Charlie Trumper's journey from humble beginnings as a barrow costermonger to his ambitions of building a major retail business. After serving in World War I, Charlie returns to London to find his family's small trading business transformed. He marries Rebecca Salmon and together they begin expanding their enterprise, navigating the complex social and economic landscape of post-war Britain. The narrative encompasses multiple perspectives, including those of Colonel Hamilton, a former military officer who becomes instrumental in the business, and various characters whose lives intersect with the Trumpers through both commerce and personal relationships. The book explores themes of class mobility, entrepreneurship, and the changing face of British society during a period of significant economic and social transformation.

Readers appreciate the detailed historical backdrop spanning multiple decades of London's retail industry and the compelling rags-to-riches narrative. Many note the authenticity in depicting market trader culture and business dealings. Positive reviews highlight the fast pacing, complex characters, and intricate subplots. One reader called it "the perfect balance of historical detail and personal drama." Multiple reviews praise the portrayal of class mobility in 20th century Britain. Common criticisms include the length (many found it overlong at 600+ pages), predictable plot developments, and what some call shallow character development. Several readers noted the middle section drags and could have been condensed. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (47,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (2,300+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (1,100+ ratings) The book maintains steady popularity among Archer fans, with many citing it as one of his stronger works despite its length. New readers often mention it as an accessible entry point to his writing.

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★ The title "As the Crow Flies" refers to the shortest distance between two points - a metaphor for Charlie Trumper's determination to achieve his goals despite societal barriers. ★ While writing this novel, Jeffrey Archer drew inspiration from real London department stores like Harrods and Selfridges, which also had humble beginnings in the Victorian era. ★ The book spans over 60 years of British history, including both World Wars and the Great Depression, accurately depicting how these events transformed British retail. ★ Before becoming an author, Jeffrey Archer was the youngest member of the British Parliament at age 29, bringing authentic political insights to the novel's portrayal of class dynamics. ★ The novel's depiction of London's East End market culture was based on extensive research of Covent Garden Market and Petticoat Lane, historic trading centers that still exist today.