Customer Reviews

TIME AND AGAIN

5 star:		(139)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

Author Jack Finney (1911-1995), among his other writing accomplishments, penned two great, influential science-fiction novels: the 1955 alien invasion story "The Body Snatchers," the source for three great movies (with "Invasion of..." usually tacked onto the front), and this 1970 subtle romance about time travel. It's a novel that many people hold close to their hearts, and like the movie "Somewhere in Time," has the magic to allure you with the wonder of traveling back to a simpler time -- 1880s New York in this case -- and exploring in depth a world so unlike your own. Finney, with meticulous detail and the support of numerous old photographs and drawings from the period (this is referred to as an "illustrated novel") recreates New York in 1882, letting us and the main character, Si Morley, marvel as we walk over the old streets, see places where one day great skyscrapers will stand, gaze on a traffic jam of hansom cabs, discover the arm of the Statue of Liberty sitting in Madison Square awaiting the rest of its body, play old parlor games in a boarding house, and look at Fifth Avenue when it was a thin street of trees and apartments. People who have lived in New York will especially adore these decriptions of the vanished city and the comparision Finney makes between the "modern" city (1970; vanished now to us as well) and the 1880s city. However, even if you've never been to New York in your life, you'll feel like you have after reading this. That's an incredible compliment to pay to a writer.

"Time and Again" won't please readers looking for quick action and thrills. It is a leisurely book that takes its time to build up the central situation: the U.S. government has found a possible method to travel back in time through purely mental means, and believes that young artist Si Morely fits the profile of the person who can achieve it. Once the books moves to the actual time traveling, the focus is mostly on the experience of being in another time and Si's discovery of how it affects him...especially when he feels he may be falling in love with a girl from the time. There is, however, a mystery simmering inside the story, and Si sets himself out to unravel it. What will the consequences be for history itself if he interferes? And what does the government really want to achieve with this project?

The last third of the book is tense and suspenseful, and contains an incredible and lengthy description of a disastrous event that ranks with the most vivid visual writing I've ever read. And the resolution is nothing short of perfect; Finney delivers the most satisfying conclusion. However, the book takes patience. Let Finney's prose, his wonderful main character Si, and his ability to pull you back in time with him sweep you away -- you won't regret it when the journey is over. Even if you never read science fiction or claim to dislike it, this is one book you'll find it difficult not to fall for.

I am shocked by the range of reviews for what I consider one of my favorite books. It is (using a much over used word here) a masterpiece. Strong characters, intricate plot, exquisite detail all grounded in the most exciting place in the world, New York City. What's not to love? I have re-read this book several times. I also have it on tape and play it to get through long car trips - it's an old, reliable, much loved friend. I am fascinated by time travel and I love New York so that probably explains the appeal of this book. I also grew up as a reader (as opposed to a real TV junkie) and I love getting lost in very detailed prose and intricate word pictures - the kind Finney employs here to hook the reader. I can visualize one scene in my mind now - Sy Morley in his rooms in the Dakota, snow falling, the city silent, bathed in white. Is he in the 19th or 20th century? Was the experiment a success or a dismal failure? You have to read on (and will want to read on) to see.

Simon Morley, an illustrator, is enlisted by a secret govenment project to hypnotize himself into 1880s New York. He is successful, and goes back to investigate a mystery. As we are overwhelmed with details of 1880s New York, we can almost believe that this time travel is possible. Morely finds himself in love with his landlady's daughter in the past, and must deal with threats both in the past and in the present.

This is Finney's finest, a gentle novel which nevertheless prompts us to give serious thought to the morality of the decisions we make. Morley's decision to treat the people in the past as more than images long dead in the present leads inevitably to his decision to question the rightness of the project he is engaged in, and to act on that decision.

....

A fine, fine book that I wish Finney hadn't spoiled with a sequel. When will they make that movie out of it that they keep talking about?

I have loved Jack Finney's Time and Again for decades now, and recently purchased a new copy from Amazon to replace one that I know I have, but can't find at the moment. The story of how Simon Morley is drawn into "The Project" and ultimately discovers what life is like in the New York City of 1882 is compelling and fascinating. Because the book is illustrated with many actual photos from that era, one gets a real sense of the time period. This is made all the stronger by Mr. Finney's careful research; he checked weather patterns, times of day for major events, etc. The romantic side of the tale is also interesting, so the reader gets a fabulous combination of fantasy, reality, romance, history and a nice group of illustrations, all in one package.

All told, this novel is one to read and re-read. There is one photo in it that I like so much; as a result a copy of it now sits on my desk at work. I won't give away which photo it is, but it shows a New York landmark in a location vastly different from where we are used to seeing it.

Please note that shortly before his death, Jack Finney re-visited this idea and the main character, writing a sequal called From Time to Time. This book is also entertaining to read, though set in the New York City of somewhat later in time, specifically 1912.

I wish Mr. Finney were still alive, so that I could congratulate him in person for having given us such an enjoyable book as Time and Again.

This book is a wonderful blend of historical fiction, science, fiction, mystery, and romance. Two genres I have always shyed away from, ironically, are historical and science fiction. Most historical fiction books I've read have been so boring they've put me to sleep. Often times science fiction books have horrible plots, very contrived and phoney. After reading this book, I realize that there is good and bad in each genre. This is the best. The plot moves along quickly, and always keeps you guessing at what will happen next. The details capture the moment perfectly, so you find yourself actually placed in the setting, experiencing Si's feelings. It's very magical. You can almost hear the gentle snow falling on the lamp posts and Si's heart pounding when Finney describes it.

The best thing about this book, however, is that the storyline is original. You won't recognize this plot from another book...it's very creative and unique. Not at all typical of time travel, or historical fiction novels. The mystery and adventure make it exciting, the historical aspects are a bonus for someone interested in historical settings, the time travel makes it facsinating, and the romance is great for a romance lover.

The only thing you should know is that the first few chapters give a base for the novel, and are not as interesting as the rest of the book. So don't throw down the book dissapointed if you've only read a chapter or two..you haven't really begun reading yet!(It can be a little confusing at first, since you won't really understand anything until a little later on..but when you begin to understand it, it's a WOW book.)

All in all...an extremely satisfying, captivating read. Believe me, you'll never forget this book! A must for anyone who enjoys reading.

I read Jack Finney's "Time and Again" about 10 years ago and remember liking the book very much. I have just re-read the book and see it in a whole new light, based on my life experiences and my recent first trip to New York City this year. This is undoubtedly one of the best books on time travel. Finney's extensive research and richness of detail to the 1890's adds to the accuracy and believability that this really could have happened.

Worth researching yourself is Einstein's theory on the past, present and future, as learned by Si Morley in the beginning of the book. Einstein believed that these three time periods exist at once; that one can visit the past or future at any time. Most of us believe only the present exists because we can "see" it now. Of course, Si Morley proved Einstein's theory to be correct, as all of his theories were.

This book touches on the historical, political, and the human nature aspects of life. Finney interjects suspense, humor and romance to make this book very well-balanced and a delight to read.

I always recommend this book to people. I love it.

I love the description of NY history and the details of it. I'm from New York and, after reading some of the other reviews, I see that the details were less interesting to other people. But, elements such as: Trinity Church was the tallest building, City Hall was "uptown" (I love these!), The Statue of Liberty's head was visible but unassembled - I was lost in the scenery, what NY was like, and riveted by the history.

When I started to read the book, I thought Finney bit off way more than any book can chew: a time-travel, love story, historical fiction, mystery all in one - ha, this guy is full of himself. Then I kept reading. He pulled it off famously. I was taken in and absorbed, riveted. New York then. The story - I was swept away. The intrigue - a page turner.

I simply love this book. I adore it. I loved reading about this time period in NY, about places I know now, and with the story and style used. Just wonderful.

Side note: The first time I came across it I was a student and had a job at a restaurant called "Time and Again." The whole staff was reading it and passing it around to one another. I'm a rebel and rejected the notion. A bit later, I read it. It stands as the book I always apologize for loving as much as I do, yet I come as close as I can to making everyone read it. It's one of my favorite fairy tales, told with that terrific historical accuracy and detail.

I didn't care much for his other books, and I thought that the sequel to this was awful - but, oh, give this one a shot. Particularly if you're a New Yorker. It's just so entertaining!

Jack Finney's 1970 masterpiece is a great look at old New York. Hasn't anyone that has ever been to New York wished they could take a step back in time and see what it was like when the Dakota was considered the suburbs? When horse and buggies roamed the streets and Central Park?

Time and Again is the story of Si Morley who agrees to do just that - try to take a step back in time. While the book does not focus on the scientific - it certainly is descriptive. I felt that I was walking along side Si as he strolled the streets of yesteryear.

While reading this book - the reader must realize that this was originally penned in 1970 and has gained something akin to cult status so if some plot lines seem a bit familiar they were copied from Time and Again.

While I liked The Alientist better for it's plot - Time and Again certainly recreated New York in the 1800's more vividly for me. It is certainly a worthwhile read.

Those reading these reviews in order to decide whether to buy the book are likely to be confused by the fact that they tend to be either 5 star or 1 star. The 1 star people complain principally about plot holes, obsessive detail, and the method of time travel. Regrettably, there are plot holes--almost all popular novels have them. For me they aren't killers. We aren't talking War and Peace here. The detail is a different matter, because it is really the heart of the book and the reason for its existence. Jack Finney's stock-in-trade was nostalgia, and this was his tour de force. All of the loving detail, both in preparation for the trip and in the trip itself, is designed to draw you into a another world, and the fact that it is a world that never was isn't really important. The question everyone asked Si was "What was it really, really like?", and this book is an effort to answer that question. As for the method of time travel, do you really believe that throwing in some jargon about quantum mechanics would have made it more realistic? Personally, I think it would have spoiled the effect. If you are a hard-headed logical type looking for a tautly plotted science fiction or detective novel, this ain't it. It's a nostalgia trip, and if you can't make the trip with Si, you won't understand the book and you will hate it. I've lost count of the times I've made it, and I still love it.

I must admit to a personal angle here. I was born in 1923, and almost everything Si described still existed in my childhood. The transportation had changed (the street cars and El were electric, and the carriages were horseless), and the clothing, and the buildings were a bit higher, but that was all. Medicine had changed very little; we had aspirin, but no antibiotics or antihistamines, and the concept of civil rights was still unfamiliar to the police. For me, it is a nostalgia trip in more ways than one.

So, to make a long story short, both the 5 star and the 1 star reviewers are right. You know what kind of person you are. Decide accordingly.

I usually shy away from time travel books. Too hokey for my tastes, but Time and Again was one of the 3 time travel themed books I enjoyed and one of my favorite books of all time (no pun intended). The first few chapters are little slow, but it picks up. Of course it helps that I love NYC, it's architecture and people. Reading the passages where Finney gets into detailed descriptions of the city never ceases to enthrall me. While I was reading the book originally, I happened to work a few blocks from the house where Julia "lived" and I'd pass by on my lunch hour. I felt like I was looking at the city through new eyes. Walking in Central Park after the first big snow, the city strangely silent, it is so easy to imagine a different time period and then you hear the harness bells and hoof beats of one of the city's horse 'n buggy, you almost have to shake yourself. This book isn't just for lovers of NYC though. One of the things I loved most about this book is that although it's fiction, Finney's mix of history and photography give it an incredible touch of authenticity. Also the author doesn't romanticize the past. Finney's New York comes to life with it's crowded sometimes dangerous conditions, smells (delicious or repugnant), sounds and sights. It's heartening to know that it always took an insane amount of time to get cross-town. Do yourself a favor and get through the first few chapters, this is a good read.