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Summary: A magical journey through NYC history
Review: Jack Finney weaves us a marvelous story of time travel and late 19th century New York City. Albeit a novel, nonetheless Mr. Finney's research on the period is complete.
I cannot recommend a book more vogorously!
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Summary: Fabulous and fascinating
Review: This book is a little bit slow in the first few chapters but stick it out and get through them and you will be glad you did. It is truly a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down and stayed up late to finish it. That's what a novel should be!
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Summary: A great look at New York within an average novel.
Review: First, a disclosure: I'm a New Yorker, and I live within a mile of the Dakota building. I had seen it many times in passing, but after reading "Time and Again," I see it in a whole different light. Finney's general premise, that a few places in Manhattan have remained virtually the same over the last 100 years while the rest has changed dramatically, serves as the vehicle for his protagonist to visit the New York of 1884. I have never read a more detailed historical novel; Finney includes countless minutia about old New York, meticulously researched according to his afterword, and he really makes the city come alive for the reader. There are, however, several major problems with the story. If you're NOT interested in New York, don't even think about reading it: you'll be bored silly. Also, Finney's science of time travel is absurd, and hard-core sci-fi fans will be driven crazy by his theory that altering the past can almost never affect the present. Finally, the story is uneven, and Finney tries to make up for a slow first half with a ridiculously fast second half. In summary, New Yorkers and NYer-wannabees will greatly enjoy the book, while those simply looking for a sci-fi/time-travel story will be disappointed.
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Summary: Imagine !
Review: I read this book in 1970 in its first printing, and just finished my first re-read last week, 25 years later. I was once again overwhelmed by the scope of this novel, and the attention to detail that Mr. Finney devoted to his work. I was captured by the romance and magic of the characters and the concept, and the plot came to life as I read this fascinating glimpse into 19th Century New York. Anyone who is in the least bit interested in historic New York should read this book. You will fall under its spell and perhaps, not want to return to the 21st Century.
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Summary: Cultural sci fi
Review: The book did a great job of depicting the late 1800s in New York City and how a present day man would interpret what he saw. Though the book has a sci-fi premise, the actual story is much more about the culture of the late 1800s.
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Summary: Finally, plausible time travel!
Review: 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.
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Summary: You'll have to read it "Time and Again"
Review: Most people don't believe in time travel, but after reading Time and Again by Jack Finney (Simon and Schuster, New York, 1970) you might reconsider the possibilities. In this science fiction novel, Si Morley is chosen to travel through time from the present into the year 1882. His travels include romance, mystery, suspense, and life-and-death adventures. His assignment is to travel to historical New York City to investigate Jake Pickering and his connection to Si's modern-day friend, Kate.
A self-published review, written by "Gollancz" in 2003, describes the strengths and weaknesses of Time and Again. The reviewer explains that Time and Again is great for science fiction lovers. However, he believes that Finney is mistaken over many facts. He points out that Finney does an excellent job of showing the differences in the two historical periods of New York City. Many other books about time travel don't properly emphasize the differences in city living between now and then. "Finney conveys far more of how different the world of even the relatively recent past would seem to a time traveler..." The reviewer also notes that "Si can comment on things in a way not possible outside the science fiction genre." Time and Again has great qualities that a historical novel would not be able to demonstrate. The reviewer complains, however, that Finney's invented method of hypnotic time travel is confused and confusing. This forces Si "to be bounced back as soon as any conscious thought of future events intrudes."
I agree with the reviewer's comment that Finney does a nice job of showing the two periods of time that Si experiences. For instance, when Si and his friend, Julia, need to contact her aunt, he suggests that they call her on a telephone. Obviously Julia is confused by his meaning; telephones were not available then. Another situation occurs when Si spots the arm of the unfinished Statue of Liberty. He points out that the arm is not pale green, but a brilliant copper. Julia mentions that she thinks the statue will never be completed, Finney humors us with Si's prediction that the statue will indeed be finished and that a nearby harbor would be its home. These details support the reviewer's comment that only a time traveler can notice the details of the two different worlds. While reading Time and Again I didn't really notice how the author did such a good job of showing the culture shock of switching time periods. The reviewer's comments pointed out these qualities in the story.
I was frequently confused while reading Time and Again, but not by the hypnotic time travel technique. I was more confused by details in the plot. I don't agree with the reviewer's complaint about being "bounced back." I was surprised and enjoyed the twists and turns that make this novel fun to read. One such surprise occurs when Si and Kate travel to 1882 and when they return to their modern apartment they are suddenly back in their time. Kate explains to Si that they are back because "we came back to the apartment, and we came back in our minds too." I can see how the reviewer was confused, but I thought it was a good and surprising scene. Later, Si is able to bring Julia to his time, merely by holding her tightly while he hypnotizes only himself. This was also a surprising twist on his time travel; Julia was not hypnotized.
I hope other readers enjoy Time and Again as I have. I became wrapped up in the characters and felt as if I really knew them. In addition to the time travel excitement, this story provides an exciting mystery to solve. But it takes a long time to read, so it's not a good book to read under pressure. Jack Finney did an excellent job on this book and this is why it is still popular after thirty yeas in print. It should certainly be enjoyed "time and again."
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Summary: Transported To A Different Magical World
Review: Jack Finney's timeless classic about a man who travels back in time to the late 19th century in NYC captured me. This book is not a difficult read and it strokes the imagination in a way much different than most novels. I first read it when I was about 15 years old and have just finished rereading it many years later. The first time I read Time and Again it made me wonder how the rest of the world might look, in response to this novel I traveled quite a bit and saw the world. Highly recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in viewing the world through another's eyes.
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Summary: Fabulous and fascinating
Review: This book is a little bit slow in the first few chapters but stick it out and get through them and you will be glad you did. It is truly a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down and stayed up late to finish it. That's what a novel should be!
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Summary: One of the Best I've Read
Review: This is, personally, one the best books I've read. Well written, great storyline, and a wonderful ending.
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