Customer Reviews

Time Won't Let Me: A Novel

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I was a huge fan of Scheft's first novel, The Ringer, but I'm a bigger fan of his latest work, Time Won't Let Me -- a dark comedy of a forgotten '60s prep school rock group (the Truants) reuniting after their vanity album becomes a collectors' item. The author is a hilarious storyteller with passages that make you want to grab the nearest person and read aloud. Nowadays so much gets hyped as "laugh-out-loud funny," but Scheft's books deliver.

Critics and fans have sung the praises of Scheft's comedic skills, but few have acknowledged his singular literary talents. Nobody writes like his guy. Nobody. He has a distinct narrative voice -- at times rich and inventive, clever and intricate; other times terse and snide, blunt and stinging. As a friend told me recently, "You'll be reading one of his sentences, taking it in on one level, and then all of a sudden you discover another level of meaning, another level of nuance." The well crafted prose unites all the elements, and in his latest work, that's an amazing feat with the multiple characters and multiple plots (a bold decision for his second novel).

Populating his story with real characters -- famed musicians Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band), guitar virtuoso Les Paul, legendary rocker Barry Tashian -- and a myriad of rock/pop culture references, Scheft lends authenticity to his tale. Starting with chapter one, Scheft makes the reader feel like you're eavesdropping on history, a talent reminiscent of Tom Wolfe. A dozen pages into the book and you're singing along with the Truant's big hit, "Get Psyched." This is a hard book to put down, because you are always dying to find out what happens next on this wild, Carl Hiaasen-like ride. The author has a true ear for dialogue, and the brash, honest talk from the eccentric cast provides an effective counterpoint to the intricacy of the narration and the "ohmygod!" quirkiness and creativity of the plot.

If HBO is smart, they'll turn this book into a series. And it will be a blast. But you'll lose the writing artistry that makes reading this novel such a memorable experience.

Bill Scheft's sudden assault on the memory and senses in the opening chapter will have anyone who has ever been in a band during their school years equally laughing and cringing.

The story starts in 1967 as the garage band, The Truants, are the toast of Chase Academy, and the five members decide to record a vanity album. Several decades later, they all plan to reunite after being told that their album is now changing hands among collectors for a sum of $20,000 a time.

The 30-year school reunion is fast approaching. With the lure of a nostalgic gig, and perhaps the chance of re-recording their vinyl triumph with the bonus of reaping the financial rewards, as well as giving them all a much-needed ego-boost, they plan to reunite.

As you get further into the book, you also get further in to the band members' lives, and what makes them tick, and to a lesser extent, how they've found themselves where they are.

All this is accompanied by an insightful wit that only first-hand observation can lend a story.

This book is like a Dick Dale track, the notes (or rather words) rebounding inside your mind like a musical machine gun, with the undeniable kinetic energy of a good sixties track.

This is Scheft's second book, but the first I've read. I'll be looking out for his first, and hopefully that'll keep me happy until his third is published.

Armchair Interviews says: This book hits the right note.

Was looking forward to this based on his reputation and the subject. Had to force myself to finish it -- kind of pointless.

Great story. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. And I hadn't thought about that song for a long time, I became obsessed with getting a copy of that song "Time won't let me" (which I finally got). Thanks for the trip back in time.

Those familiar with the Bill Scheft's previous work (writing jokes for David Letterman and Sports Illustrated) won't be surprised to find themselves smiling and laughing as they read "Time Won't Let Me". But even those who enjoyed the author's first novel ("The Ringer") are likely be pleasantly surprised at the number and depth of the characters he's created this time around.

The five Truants (a mid-1960's prep school band) begin the book considerably older, but little (if any) wiser then they were as teen-agers, unable to connect successfully with their respective families, or one another, and (for the most part) unable to afford the toys generally prescribed for midlife crisis. Thrown together in the pursuit of what may be an illusion as their 30th Reunion approaches, they and those around them manage to find something of even greater value.

I first heard about the Author on the "Bob & Tom Show" and based on his interview I purchased the book. I found it to be well written and very funny at times. This is a book which I will let my friends borrow as long as they purchase his other book and let me read it when they are finished with it. (Hey I am frugal).
Do yourself a favor and buy this book. The author would like to see this made into a movie so I hope Hollywood will do it justice.

In his latest novel, Bill Scheft (the human joke writing machine who brought you The Best of the Show and David Letterman's monologue for many years) manages to outdo himself.

Time Won't Let Me chronicles the escapades of the former members of The Truants. As a high school band who released 500 copies of one album, their 15 minutes of fame is clearly over. But when they find our their album went for $10,000 on eBay, they're coaxed into reuniting for a big score and a bigger show at their high school reunion. One small problem -- they can't stand each other.

The characterizations are compelling, memorable and you'll recognize the personalities from the band in your own life. You'll understand why the Beatles and the Eagles had to break up after reading this book. Just thinking about the character Pressure Chief still makes me laugh out loud. Read this book and you'll never look at Equal the same way again. If you don't enjoy this book, you need to find a tall, tall building.

If you've ever been in a band, if you've ever known someone in a band, or if you've ever listened to a band, you owe it to yourself to get this book. You won't be able to put it down. Bill's writing is relentlessly great, funny and entertaining.

Now enjoy The Lemon Pipers.

I was chuckling and laughing constantly as I enjoyed this book. I finished this in three sittings, four days. I have been in and out of bands for about 40 years, starting in high school, and I loved all the nuances Bill brought to this story. He develops the characters beautifully and I guarantee you will never feel let down or set up by this tale. If you have EVER been in a band, had a brother or sister in a band, or were involved someway in a band, you will identify with this book. But don't pass this by if you had nothing to do with a band - I was pleasantly surprised by several of the twists and turns the book took, but again I must reiterate I was not let down or disappointed by any of the unexpected story lines that Bill developed. Every now and then I was reading something and said to myself, "Oh yeah and I can see that he will eventually ..." or "I bet this will play out like this..." and was pleasantly surprised that Sheft didn't take the "easy way" or "obvious choice". This is truly a well-written book and I have contacted all my music buddies and recommended it.

Despite the author's starpower, an interview on NPR and other hype, and with a storyline that could appeal to lots of 60's would-be "rockers", the book never takes off and, in the end, is basically a disappointment. Winding its way through the lives of the former prep school musicians who record a vanity album which is resurrected by a record collector who wants them to reform and hit the road, the narrative explores the failures and foibles of the guys in an effort to build towards that "big gig". I won't spoil the ending for those who still want to read the book, but there's plenty of reunions of old band members going on out there at clubs, weddings and the like and you'd be better served by going out and seeing the real thing....even if all you'll hear is a warmed over version of "We Gotta Get Out of this Place"...at least it's live.

Book arrived as promised, perfect shape, will order again no question!