What do you think?
Rate this book
Other Blighters' Efforts: The Year of Short Stories – October
October’s brilliant instalment of The Year of Short Stories is Other Blighters’ Efforts. 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 To Cut a Long Story Short, Jeffrey Archer's magnificent fourth collection of short stories, Other Blighters' Efforts is an ingenious, witty and brilliant short read.
Henry Pascoe, the First Secretary at the British High Commission on Aranga, is determined to build a swimming pool for the local children. But despite his best efforts to convince local businessmen and the British government to fund such an endeavour he is desperately short of money. However, with his posting coming to an end he discovers a way to get the money he needs with the unwitting help of the High Commission’s bank manager . . .
- GenresShort StoriesFiction
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2018
51 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey Archer
659 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 1, 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. I just received the October piece, which proves to be yet another entertaining selection, perfect for a short daytime break. Henry Pascoe is the First Secretary at the British High Commission on Aranga, a small island community off the beaten path. In hopes of bringing something to the locals, Pascoe has developed the idea of a swimming pool that the children might use, with much of its sponsorship from the British Government. Working with the local branch manager of Barclays, Pascoe utilises currency exchanges and local government instability to pad the funds for his ‘Swimming Pool’ account, in hopes of speeding the process along. When, on a brief trip from London, a representative of the Foreign Office gives the thumbs up to the project, Pascoe rushes forward to get things moving. However, there seems to be endless stalling and dithering, both in London and throughout the Foreign Office. Pascoe agrees to take a trek with Aranga’s president on an annual trip, only to learn some interesting news, all of which could impact the swimming pool and this pipe dream. An interesting Archer piece, sure to pique the attention of those who have long enjoyed his writing.
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, I can hope to find gems amidst all the reading I undertake each year. This was another decent piece, working on the theme of British support for its smaller countries under the Commonwealth. Pascoe works diligently to bring this small project to life, only to have others constantly tossing roadblocks in the way. The reader will see the man’s passion, even if it is not always revealed in productive ways, as well as showing his passion for all things local. Pascoe learns that his mid-level position leaves him yelling into the wind, though this does not go unnoticed at the most opportune time. There is little time for much impact by secondary characters, though the banter found within the pages of this piece does help shape the story and Pascoe’s reactions throughout. The story builds on the dramatic revelations these characters offer and keeps the reader enthralled. A wonderful standalone piece that will entertain readers just long enough to finish a warm mug of something (or some such beverage), Archer proves himself as the master.
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, I can hope to find gems amidst all the reading I undertake each year. This was another decent piece, working on the theme of British support for its smaller countries under the Commonwealth. Pascoe works diligently to bring this small project to life, only to have others constantly tossing roadblocks in the way. The reader will see the man’s passion, even if it is not always revealed in productive ways, as well as showing his passion for all things local. Pascoe learns that his mid-level position leaves him yelling into the wind, though this does not go unnoticed at the most opportune time. There is little time for much impact by secondary characters, though the banter found within the pages of this piece does help shape the story and Pascoe’s reactions throughout. The story builds on the dramatic revelations these characters offer and keeps the reader enthralled. A wonderful standalone piece that will entertain readers just long enough to finish a warm mug of something (or some such beverage), Archer proves himself as the master.
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/...
October 20, 2018
"I go back to England for our annual leave tomorrow, try to keep Aranga off the front pages - that is, if you want to get Bermuda rather than the Ascension Islands."
Jeffery Archer's 'Year of Short Stories' continued with October's telling the story of Henry Pascoe, the First Secretary at the British High Commission on the African island of Aranga and his attempt to get a swimming pool built for the local community.
Super-Quick read but enjoyable. Only the second of Archer's short stories that I've read but my favourite out of the two.
Jeffery Archer's 'Year of Short Stories' continued with October's telling the story of Henry Pascoe, the First Secretary at the British High Commission on the African island of Aranga and his attempt to get a swimming pool built for the local community.
Super-Quick read but enjoyable. Only the second of Archer's short stories that I've read but my favourite out of the two.
November 7, 2018
Sometimes I wonder , how can a good Story be coined in couple of pages?
But Authors like Jeffrey Archer and many others manage to squeeze best of stories in few pages.
This one is one of them !!!
But Authors like Jeffrey Archer and many others manage to squeeze best of stories in few pages.
This one is one of them !!!
June 30, 2020
Some boring tale about a pom diplomat that sneakily played the Foreign Exchange (Forex) markets to raise money for the local community swimming pool.
May 16, 2019
A nice quick short story.
January 4, 2019
It was supposed to be my first read of the year, but whatever.
The story is about the first secretary of an island who is very determined to have a swimming pool for kids. He carries out various coups to generate funds. That part reminds a lot about the other JA book 'The man who robbed his own post office'. It also reminds a little about 'Sons of fortune' when the monies are converted to and from various currencies.
The story is good, a trademark JA.
The story is about the first secretary of an island who is very determined to have a swimming pool for kids. He carries out various coups to generate funds. That part reminds a lot about the other JA book 'The man who robbed his own post office'. It also reminds a little about 'Sons of fortune' when the monies are converted to and from various currencies.
The story is good, a trademark JA.
Read
March 27, 2020I 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
August 24, 2019
Surprisingly short surprisingly simple but a good read inbetween Tolstoy's War & Peace and Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within. I'm sure this won't be my first and last Archer short book I'll read...
September 28, 2020
A wonderful story of an altruistic person who goes above and beyond his call of duty for a simple swimming pool for kids in his county. The lengths he goes to collect every penny/Korea is wonderful and Jeffrey Archer illustrates his struggles very well in this short story! Enjoyed reading this one
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2018
Not the best of his short stories.
December 6, 2018
OK story
December 20, 2018
Great story telling
Gripping stories, very readable, enjoyed them immensely. Archer as always has a gift for drawing you in to his stories. Excellently written.
Gripping stories, very readable, enjoyed them immensely. Archer as always has a gift for drawing you in to his stories. Excellently written.
March 8, 2019
Other Blighters' Efforts by Jeffrey Archer... short but strong, brings in a thrill to wonder on the plot and its end...
October 13, 2019
Good read
For a short story very good read.
Left me wanting to read more.
Such a sudden end to the story.
For a short story very good read.
Left me wanting to read more.
Such a sudden end to the story.
October 29, 2021
Somewhat predictable but entertaining
Still I learnt about .
Still I learnt about .
January 10, 2024
An ok read
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews