Science fiction, mystery, a passionate love story, and a detailed history of Old New York blend together in Jack Finney's spellbinding story of a young man enlisted in a secret Government experiment.

Transported from the mid-twentieth century to New York City in the year 1882, Si Morley walks the fashionable "Ladies' Mile" of Broadway, is enchanted by the jingling sleigh bells in Central Park, and solves a 20th-century mystery by discovering its 19th-century roots. Falling in love with a beautiful young woman, he ultimately finds himself forced to choose between his lives in the present and the past.

A story that will remain in the listener's memory, Time and Again is a remarkable blending of the troubled present and a nostalgic past, made vivid and extraordinarily moving by the images of a time that was...and perhaps still is.

"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.


Entertaining but wordy and flawed   April 21, 2000
 31 out of 57 found this review helpful

Finney's story of time-travel romance is enjoyable but problematic. The major drawback is the book's verbose obsession with minutiae: every detail of every item our hero sees in 1882 New York City is catalogued with grim completeness. Finney's wordiness extends to the main story line as well; the first half of the book often plods where it should sparkle. Worst of all, despite the torrents of words, characterization remains thin throughout the book. Only occasionally is there any feeling of intimacy with the characters; mostly, they're just actors in an adventure story.

This book suffers by comparison with Richard Matheson's "Bid Time Return" (a.k.a. "Somewhere in Time"), which has a superficially similar plot line. Matheson's book, however, is both much better written and much more personal. We care about what happens to his characters; in Finney's book, we're concerned primarily with the story. "Time and Again" is undeniably fun, but it could have been dramatically improved with some ruthless editing and more heart.


Easily my favorite book of all time - a great read   December 16, 2003
 30 out of 32 found this review helpful

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.


Author's best--great novel of time travel   July 29, 2002
 28 out of 29 found this review helpful

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?


Magical Book..turned me on to new literature   November 12, 2000
 19 out of 20 found this review helpful

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.