All of an Instant

Rating:
Summary: Outrageous Creativity
Review: All of an Instant takes place outside of normal spacetime in a "world" called the Instant. Garfinkle spends upwards of 60 pages or so just introducing to you the concepts of this new world. Though he does finally get around to inserting plot into the story, it only really works for the middle portion of the book. The big huge problem that is faced by the creatures of this world is encountered with a third of the book left to go, and it is entirely too obvious that the resolution to this problem is the climax to his novel. It also was obvious how the story would most likely end, and as such, it was very unsatisfying at the end. This book is an interesting curiosity, but I wouldn't call it a great read.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Thought Provoking
Review: Exciting, ambitious, and reflective, Richard Garfinkle has become one of my favorite authors after writing just two novels. By turning the world of science on its side he creates alternate worlds that are both stunning and believable. He is definitely worth a read. I am in complete suspense waiting for his next book.

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary and Unique!
Review: I have read hundreds of sci-fi books and this is by far the most unique book I have ever read. Others have said daring, and I agree. I felt like I was on a horse that was running flat out with me barely hanging on for dear life! I think it's unfair to judge this book's plot as "thin" because it is so very different in nature. Imagine mythological science fiction, where every noun in the book is in fact a metaphor for a concept that you've never ever heard of before. It was a little hard to follow at times, but it never actually gets away from you. The first part of the book was a little hard to get through, but it's necessary to give context and depth for the rest of the book. I passed this to my 15-year old son, who is relatively new to sci-fi, and he loved it. If you like very conceptual S.F. you'll love this book. I heartily recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Science Fiction just doesn't get any better than this
Review: I read this book because it was recommended by a friend who wanted to discuss it. I had no expectations of it being even mildly interesting. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a story that transcended "good yarn," making the leap into "mythic." A unique story, wonderfully told. The basic storyline, that people have learned to live in the "instant," constantly battling for control of the outcome of history, is a fun concept -- but what I found much more interesting was the way the author would try to convey that even movement in the instant, time passed, etc, was simpy an illusion that we creatures originating in time kept trying to impress upon the "instant." And the way people are described -- defined by timelengths as attributes -- well, I won't say anymore, other than that this is a highly imaginative book -- worth a read for anyone that loves science fiction or fantasy.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting premise, but uninteresting execution
Review: Not many books that I have read have done so much to challenge concepts of space-time without damaging physical laws. This book and the ideas that it set forward are absolutely fascinating, and although I suppose the complaints about "dry prose" and whatnot are founded I thought that the subject matter and the ideas more than made up for any lack of artistic flourishes.
I have read other authors that deal with non-linear ideas of time, especially Michael Moorcock and his "time is a field" ideas, and I have enjoyed them a great deal. The concept of the Instant was even stranger, but I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed anything by Heinlein, Moorcock or the other wonderful Science Fiction authors. The book certainly does not repeat any past ideas, that's for sure. Totally new ground, and Garfinkle walks it very well.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and daring, if a tad dry...
Review: This book has got to be one of the most extraordinary and daring books I have ever read. Pretty much the entire story takes place in a dimension that can only be described using metaphores. At the start I had a tough time believing that Garfinkle could pull it off - but he did. I had a lot of fun just keeping up.

It's not for everyone, though. It takes a fair amount of attention, and the writing style is a bit dry. I'm not a big fan of dry prose, but as far as I was concerned the premise more than made up for that drawback. Also, the plot was a bit thin - more a vehicle to explore the length and breadth this metaphorical dimension then than a gripping nail-biting exercise in suspence, but it was engaging enough to be servicable.

I've spent some time pondering the book since I read it (a sign of a good book) and have spotted some inconsistencies. But that's half the fun, and it hasn't lowered my opinion of Garfinkle or the book.

So: 5+ stars for a fascinating and daring premise, but minus one for dry prose and a fairly thin plot.

Rating:
Summary: Time Travel Allegory
Review: When I first read this novel, it was somewhat confusing,however, after reading it a second time, it made better sense. The reason for the initel confusion is that since "All Of An Instant" is set in a fourth-dimensional realm, it is written in allegorical terms. Therefore, what was first confusing turns out to be interesting once the allegory is understood.That said, the allegoricle descriptions of the Instant are vivid and unique. For example, I've read other books about time travelers existing outside of time, but they didn't handle the theme as well as "All of an Instant." In conclusion, be prepaired to enter a realm like no other.

Rating:
Summary: Time Travel Allegory
Review: When I first read this novel, it was somewhat confusing,however, after reading it a second time, it made better sense. The reason for the initel confusion is that since "All Of An Instant" is set in a fourth-dimensional realm, it is written in allegorical terms. Therefore, what was first confusing turns out to be interesting once the allegory is understood.That said, the allegoricle descriptions of the Instant are vivid and unique. For example, I've read other books about time travelers existing outside of time, but they didn't handle the theme as well as "All of an Instant." In conclusion, be prepaired to enter a realm like no other.