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The Queen's Birthday Telegram: The Year of Short Stories – June
June’s instalment of The Year of Short Stories is The Queen’s Birthday Telegram. Released as one of a limited number of digital shorts released to celebrate the publication of Jeffrey Archer’s magnificent seventh short-story collection, Tell Tale.
Taken from And Thereby Hangs A Tale, Jeffrey Archer’s sixth collection of short stories, The Queen’s Birthday Telegram is an irresistible, witty and ingenious short read.
Albert Webber and his wife Betty are utterly thrilled when he receives the honour of a telegram from the Queen, on the occasion of his hundredth birthday. The whole town celebrates in style, and Albert looks forward to the time when – in three years – his beloved wife can also celebrate with her own telegram. But when Betty’s birthday comes, there is no telegram. Albert decides to take this up with the Palace . . .
Taken from And Thereby Hangs A Tale, Jeffrey Archer’s sixth collection of short stories, The Queen’s Birthday Telegram is an irresistible, witty and ingenious short read.
Albert Webber and his wife Betty are utterly thrilled when he receives the honour of a telegram from the Queen, on the occasion of his hundredth birthday. The whole town celebrates in style, and Albert looks forward to the time when – in three years – his beloved wife can also celebrate with her own telegram. But when Betty’s birthday comes, there is no telegram. Albert decides to take this up with the Palace . . .
12 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2018
74 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Archer
627 books12.5k followersJeffrey is published in 114 countries and more than 47 languages, with more than 750,000 5* reviews with international sales passing 275 million copies.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction (nineteen times), short stories (four times) and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries).
Jeffrey has been married for 53 years to Dame Mary Archer DBE. They have two sons, William and James, three grandsons and two granddaughters, and divide their time between homes in London, Cambridge and Mallorca.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 24, 2018
Master storyteller Lord Jeffrey Archer has chosen to please his fans with a new venture; a short story released each month. Those familiar with Archer’s work will know that he can not only spin long and involved pieces, but also the short story that compacts adventure into a handful of pages. June’s story is brief, but very much a winner, when Albert Webber receives a telegram from from the Queen on the celebration of his one hundredth birthday. This is in addition to all the fanfare the town and his family have to celebrate this milestone event. When, three years on, Albert’s wife celebrates this same cake-worthy event, there is nothing that arrives. Hurt on her behalf, Albert waits for a time before placing a call to determine if there’s been a mix-up. A few transfers and cross-references later, it all becomes clear and Albert cannot help but chuckle. A wonderful re-release for Archer fans that can be read in a few moments, with a smile factor that will surely linger.
Lord Jeffrey Archer’s work is always full of unique perspectives, be they complete novels or shorter story such as this one. I am so pleased to have come across this collection and have reviewed each story based on its own merits. Now I await each instalment on a monthly basis, hoping they will be as interesting as the first half of the collection. This was definitely one of the faster reads, one that I remember devouring in a past collection. Even with a lack of character development, Archer pushes a wonderful story along to the reader, adding his trademark zinger by the final sentence. I have enjoyed all these pieces and now must be patient for the rest of the series to come, released for free each month to Archer fans!
Kudos, Lord Archer, for a masterful new story collection. How you find so many effective ideas that produce high quality publications I will never know.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Lord Jeffrey Archer’s work is always full of unique perspectives, be they complete novels or shorter story such as this one. I am so pleased to have come across this collection and have reviewed each story based on its own merits. Now I await each instalment on a monthly basis, hoping they will be as interesting as the first half of the collection. This was definitely one of the faster reads, one that I remember devouring in a past collection. Even with a lack of character development, Archer pushes a wonderful story along to the reader, adding his trademark zinger by the final sentence. I have enjoyed all these pieces and now must be patient for the rest of the series to come, released for free each month to Archer fans!
Kudos, Lord Archer, for a masterful new story collection. How you find so many effective ideas that produce high quality publications I will never know.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
July 13, 2018
A very short but well written story that I really enjoyed.
July 15, 2025
النهاية غريبة، مدري وش المغزى من الرواية!..
٢٠ محرم ١٤٤٧ | ١٥ يوليو ٢٠٢٥ ١٢:٠٠ مساءً.
٢٠ محرم ١٤٤٧ | ١٥ يوليو ٢٠٢٥ ١٢:٠٠ مساءً.
August 13, 2018
Part of Jeffery Archer short stories series.
As soon as I began reading this, I had this vague feeling of familiarity. I couldn't place the story and continuted to read. Almost half way through, I remembered the ending, but kept on reading. Even if you're reading the book for the first time, you can see the end coming. However, what makes it more enjoyable is the old couple in love.
I can't explain it, but I love the way JA expresses the love and affection between a couple. It is sweet and intense at the same time.
If you're a sucker for short stoies, do not miss.
As soon as I began reading this, I had this vague feeling of familiarity. I couldn't place the story and continuted to read. Almost half way through, I remembered the ending, but kept on reading. Even if you're reading the book for the first time, you can see the end coming. However, what makes it more enjoyable is the old couple in love.
I can't explain it, but I love the way JA expresses the love and affection between a couple. It is sweet and intense at the same time.
If you're a sucker for short stoies, do not miss.
June 21, 2019
Ends abruptly just when I was curious to know more. Disappointing.
September 28, 2019
Oh!
While I understood it was a short story I was left wanting more!! Was it an administration mistake or has Betty been lying all those years ? I need to know !
It's intrigued me and caught my attention enough, leaving me wanting to discover more by the author !
While I understood it was a short story I was left wanting more!! Was it an administration mistake or has Betty been lying all those years ? I need to know !
It's intrigued me and caught my attention enough, leaving me wanting to discover more by the author !
Want to read
July 30, 2018💝FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (7/30/2018)!💝
July 9, 2022
Another excellent short story written by Jeffrey Archer for his "Year of Short Stories" series. June’s instalment of The Year of Short Stories is The Queen’s Birthday Telegram.
October 6, 2019
Good one
Very short satirical tale. This made me smile. These short stories show different sides of human nature. So predictable yet portrayed quite differently.
Very short satirical tale. This made me smile. These short stories show different sides of human nature. So predictable yet portrayed quite differently.
July 22, 2020
This is one of a large number of short stories by Jeffrey Archer, released a s part of the "Year of Short Stories" series. It's a bit confusing to work out their sequence, as the "year" seems to include considerably more than the 12 monthly titles it started with. I can only assume that it was relatively successful (or at least prolific) and continued for more than a year.
This story centres on a man and his wife and the celebrations of their hundredth birthdays. It's around 2000 words in length and gets straight to the point, describing the celebrations of the husband's birthday, then his disappointment a few years later when his wife does not receive the expected telegram. He phones Buckingham Palace, only to find that his wife has been lying about her age all this time, and is in fact older than him. A sweet story, which deliberately ends before the conversation between the two spouses after he finds out.
This story centres on a man and his wife and the celebrations of their hundredth birthdays. It's around 2000 words in length and gets straight to the point, describing the celebrations of the husband's birthday, then his disappointment a few years later when his wife does not receive the expected telegram. He phones Buckingham Palace, only to find that his wife has been lying about her age all this time, and is in fact older than him. A sweet story, which deliberately ends before the conversation between the two spouses after he finds out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2023
Although this short story is rather short, it is filled with much love and joy.
Celebrating the 100th birthday of Albert, the town throws him a large party in the town hall with the mayor, but the thing Albert is thrilled about the most is the telegram that he gets from the Queen in celebration of his milestone.
After celebrating in style, Albert and his wife returns home and spends the next three years in comfort and looking forward to Betty getting her own telegram to celebrate her 100th birthday too.
Her birthday comes and goes but the telegram does not show u and while Betty doesn't seem to mind, Albert does and while his wife is out with on of their daughters, Albert goes on a mission to find the missing telegram and called the palace.
After being passed to a couple of people, a few pauses, the missing telegram has been found, but much to Alberts amusement, his wife's telegram had already been sent to her...years earlier.
This short story is full of love and humour, that you can't help but love the characters, but at the same time, you want to know more about Betty who is clearly much older than she has admitted she is, it makes you wonder if her own family knows her true age or not.
Celebrating the 100th birthday of Albert, the town throws him a large party in the town hall with the mayor, but the thing Albert is thrilled about the most is the telegram that he gets from the Queen in celebration of his milestone.
After celebrating in style, Albert and his wife returns home and spends the next three years in comfort and looking forward to Betty getting her own telegram to celebrate her 100th birthday too.
Her birthday comes and goes but the telegram does not show u and while Betty doesn't seem to mind, Albert does and while his wife is out with on of their daughters, Albert goes on a mission to find the missing telegram and called the palace.
After being passed to a couple of people, a few pauses, the missing telegram has been found, but much to Alberts amusement, his wife's telegram had already been sent to her...years earlier.
This short story is full of love and humour, that you can't help but love the characters, but at the same time, you want to know more about Betty who is clearly much older than she has admitted she is, it makes you wonder if her own family knows her true age or not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2020
I don't do book reviews.....
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way
December 16, 2020
On Albert Webber's 100th birthday, he received a telegram of congratulations from Her Majesty the Queen. He told his wife her day way coming in three years. Three years later, when his Wife Betty didn't receive her telegram from the Queen, Albert decided to find out why, and what he discovered brought a smile to his face.
August 10, 2018
A Jeffrey Archer signature piece for sure!
My rating is for the brilliant manner in which the story is related - I was lulled into complacency by a boring - sounding narrative and then suddenly did a double take following the hallmark twist in the tale right at the end.
My rating is for the brilliant manner in which the story is related - I was lulled into complacency by a boring - sounding narrative and then suddenly did a double take following the hallmark twist in the tale right at the end.
November 29, 2018
A nice short read. One of those stories which I may have seen or heard before, nevertheless, enjoyed reading it. It's one of those endings which gives you a pause... And you smile for all the love a couple shares.
November 25, 2019
Wel heel kort
Ik zal het einde wel niet snappen, maar dit verhaaltje is wel heel kort. Toch lukt het de schrijver een goed hoofdpersoon neer te zetten met wie je meeleeft in zijn emotie. Dat einde is alleen jammer. Met 3 bladzijdes meer was het verhaal af geweest.
Ik zal het einde wel niet snappen, maar dit verhaaltje is wel heel kort. Toch lukt het de schrijver een goed hoofdpersoon neer te zetten met wie je meeleeft in zijn emotie. Dat einde is alleen jammer. Met 3 bladzijdes meer was het verhaal af geweest.
July 17, 2018
The story was too short and it ended right when things got interesting.
July 20, 2018
Decent one but the ending wasn't as smooth and swift as you see in other Jeffery Archer works.
September 11, 2018
Archer does it again
Yet another example of spellbinding writing that captures the reader to the end well done we look forward to more
Yet another example of spellbinding writing that captures the reader to the end well done we look forward to more
September 29, 2018
Short and sweet
I just loved how it is shor and sweet. The definitely puts a smile on your face, and also tells a lot more than is written!
I just loved how it is shor and sweet. The definitely puts a smile on your face, and also tells a lot more than is written!
October 3, 2018
Age is not just a number!!!
December 12, 2018
Short and sweet
January 19, 2019
Great short story but I wanted more from the end.
February 28, 2019
The Queen's Birthday Telegram by Jeffrey Archer ... Remembering the spouses birthday is equally important as remembering the year of birth when age creeps in.... Great read...
May 22, 2019
This one was a cute little story. Hahahaha!
June 2, 2019
Real
It's shows real n honest feeling of people.
Overall nice and interesting book to read and also a good book for the kids.
It's shows real n honest feeling of people.
Overall nice and interesting book to read and also a good book for the kids.
October 27, 2019
Queen's birthday telegram.
It was a poignant story well written. That Buckingham palace responds to a common citizen so promptly is an idea that is very touching.
It was a poignant story well written. That Buckingham palace responds to a common citizen so promptly is an idea that is very touching.
April 29, 2020
Another short gem this one from Jefferey Archer. Here the suspense is that Mr. Webber's wife is actually older than him. Which is revealed at the end. Good ending.
April 30, 2020
A smile on my face
What a lovely story! This story puts a smile on my face, not once but twice! Enchanted and endearing, sadly too short.
What a lovely story! This story puts a smile on my face, not once but twice! Enchanted and endearing, sadly too short.
August 27, 2020
A fun short story which illustrated the tradition of UK that you receive a letter from the Queen on your 100th birthday!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews