This book has a compelling idea but turns it into a story so unbelievable that it ends up being completely ludicrous. Nigel is the only person who seems to have "unhappenings" but as the story progresses the reason behind these ends up being the most narcissistic answer. I could almost forgive it if the characters were somewhat likable. As the plot hinges on Nigel and his actions, it hit me that, even well into the story, the Nigel we know isn't smart enough or qualified to do anything remotely what the story expects of him. He admits multiple times that he has no idea what he's doing and the main project at his lab basically works by accident. But all the tech and science in the novel seems the same. A character spews some science that sounds like the be-all-end-all, but you realize it mostly skirts around the intricacies like the author didn't really know what he was talking about.
The character Penelope was likable for about a second and then she is turned into a time-travel cliche. And Helen: no matter how many times Nigel says she is strong, all she does is cry or run away from problems. Nigel and Helen's relationship makes no sense, but then again it's not her only ridiculous relationship.
Unfortunately, there is another problem with this story: the narration. At first, I didn't think it was too bad, even Penelope sounded rather good. That is until I realized that all the female characters sound exactly the same. Exactly. And his two male characters sound like Nigel & French Nigel. (There are a couple other characters, but they show up for only a few lines.)
Bottom line: I just wanted it to end. If you are looking for a good sci-fi, time-travel story you will be disappointed that this is a love story, and if you want a love story you will be disappointed in this sub-par one.
The character Penelope was likable for about a second and then she is turned into a time-travel cliche. And Helen: no matter how many times Nigel says she is strong, all she does is cry or run away from problems. Nigel and Helen's relationship makes no sense, but then again it's not her only ridiculous relationship.
Unfortunately, there is another problem with this story: the narration. At first, I didn't think it was too bad, even Penelope sounded rather good. That is until I realized that all the female characters sound exactly the same. Exactly. And his two male characters sound like Nigel & French Nigel. (There are a couple other characters, but they show up for only a few lines.)
Bottom line: I just wanted it to end. If you are looking for a good sci-fi, time-travel story you will be disappointed that this is a love story, and if you want a love story you will be disappointed in this sub-par one.
Flat first person narrative results in an interesting time-travel concept with zero flair, personality or depth. The author is a great believer in "tell, don't show," and there is little serious effort at description, dialogue or anything, really, except the central character's droning, dreary voice. Awful, just awful.
