The Rule of Stephens

by Timothy Taylor

"The significance of being a survivor, in the case of Air France Flight 801, for a long time lay in the simple fact that there should have been no survivors."Catherine Bach did survive, barely suffering a scratch. She hates the word "miracle," yet it feels that way at first. She returns to life as it was before the plane went down. The biotech startup she'd built from an idea to a multi-million dollar valuation continues its meteoric rise. But then things begin to go very wrong. Glitches in tests that are meant to run smoothly, design delays, security breaches, impatient investors. Catherine has a growing sense that her good fortune is spent, that the universe might be betting against her.      And then comes the late-night call, from one of the other survivors. He has a story to tell, a warning he says, about his own troubles, a life in ruins, his luck run out. And all at the hands, he insists, of a mysterious other, resembling him perfectly right down to the features of his face.      Madness, Catherine thinks. Or she tries to think as a mystery hedge fund launches a takeover attempt, run by a woman nobody seems to know but who is said to bear an uncanny resemblance . . . to Catherine. Catherine has always believed in an ordered, rational world--more Stephen Hawking than Stephen King. But with her life at the brink, she cannot shake the feeling that her "Rule of Stephens" may no longer hold.     Writing with stinging precision about the knife-edge balance between what is known and what is believed, Timothy Taylor bridges the divide between literary fiction and page-turning thriller in this psychological tale of guilt, doubt and doppelgangers.

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Canada

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 6, 2018

About the author

Timothy Taylor is a Canadian novelist and short story writer. Born in Venezuela, he was raised in West Vancouver, British Columbia and Edmonton, Alberta. Taylor attended the University of Alberta and Queen's University, and lived for some years in Toronto, Ontario. In 1987 he returned to British Columbia. Taylor currently resides in Vancouver.

Taylor's short story "Doves of Townsend" won the Journey Prize in 2000. He had two other stories on the competition's final shortlist that year, and is to date the only writer ever to have three short stories compete for the prize in the same year. He subsequently served as a judge for the 2003 award.

His debut novel, Stanley Park, nominated for the Giller Prize and chosen to be the 2004 One Book, One Vancouver, was followed by Silent Cruise, a collection of eight stories and one novella.

Reviews

[Joanne-in-Canada · Rating 4 out of 5]

So nice to have a new novel from Taylor! I have missed his passionate-bordering-on-obsessive characters, his innovative fictional projects, and the strong presence of Vancouver as a backdrop. Would have been five stars but for an ending that didn't live up to its buildup.

[Robyn Roscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turns out, I have read everything fiction-wise that Timothy Taylor has published, plus most of his non-fiction. All have been excellent, and this was no exception. I was thrilled when I learned that he had a new book this year, and even more thrilled when I was able to get it for my vacation reading pile.

There's a recent theme in Canadian fiction - doppelgängers (see also Bellevue Square). This story is about doubles, but with a more sinister and supernatural bent. The title refers to a philosophy espoused by the main character, Catherine. It refers the competing views of the universe of two Stephens – Hawking and King – and holds that the universe complies with the laws of physics or the laws of the paranormal, but not both at the same time. (I found this premise a bit tenuous, as the character only refers to it a few times directly, and it was more of a distraction than a thread in the story.)

The central plot – the development of a diagnostic appliance for consumer medical monitoring – was very interesting to me, and not far removed from my own real world (likely there are companies out there doing those very things right now). Taylor presents Catherine’s struggles with the demons of her mind and the business world very well, appropriately touching but not dwelling on the issues of women in the tech world.

The ultimate resolution is well done, and keeps its feet firmly in the Hawking world, while giving fair consideration to King’s. It was also delightful to follow the characters through Vancouver, and to recognize the locations and locales. Taylor’s foodie background comes through with the descriptions of meals and menus that ultimately reflect the characters and situations appropriately.

I was able to read this book in one day, but only because I was on vacation. In real life, it would have taken several days I’m sure, but it was a true page-turner. It would also make a terrific movie.

[Candice Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

How, HOW did I wait so long to read this one?!? It is legit, one of the most intriguing, unique, suspenseful, curious mysteries I’ve ever read. A little bit thriller, and little bit sci fi, a lot unputdownable.

The story is based on Catherine Bach, who was one of the few survivors when Air France Flight 801 crashed. The significance of this is that there should have been no survivors. And two years after the crash, Catherine is finding herself world starting to come apart at the seams.

I cannot even explain this one. But it’s amazing and I read it in approximately 3 hours without breathing. This is one you should read it if you like suspense stories that are unguessable. Then come talk to me about how great of a ride it is.

[Caitlin H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I randomly picked this up at the library because it caught my attention. It’s written in very contemporary literature style which tickled my brain nicely at times, and for a short book Taylor does well to structure a complex story. But the story was a bit too complex in that I missed the outcome?? Or what the actual story was with the doppelgängers? I’m looking at reviews and not even they seem to know. It’s also very heavy on the tech start-up plot line which ain’t fun if you don’t like that kinda thing. All in all it was ok but not amazing

[Booksandchinooks (Laurie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Penguin Random House for a free copy of this book for review. The rule of Stephens? Stephen King or Stephen Hawking? Catherine is a plane crash survivor and her life begins to turn upside down when she hears from another survivor from the crash and he warns her about mysterious events happening in his life. As strange events begin to happen to Catherine she begins to question things she has always believed. This is a short and interesting book.

[Tammy Hoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! Beautifully written with a dreamlike quality.
Only wish it was longer!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judging by the synopsis I would think this was a supernatural thriller but right from the start it's clear that this is not going to be a mindless read. This is written like literary fiction, not like popular fiction. It's a very short book but the writing is meaty and dense. It's not a book that can be read quickly or skimmed. It doesn't explain itself or wrap everything up in a pretty bow at the end. This book reminds me a lot of another book I recently read, Bellevue Square, which was also about doppelgangers and in a similar fashion you are never really sure if we are dealing with the supernatural or the natural. I'm fine with an ambiguous story no real resolution to the mystery but if you're looking for answers you won't find them here. It's a book to be experienced and not so much to be understood. I enjoyed the slight creepiness and the central issues were interesting to me but I can see that this wouldn't be to everyone's tastes.

[Bryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't understand what the plot line was. or if there was one.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

3/10
Boring. Terrifying! Boring.

[Jacquie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I want my time back.

[Kevin · Rating 1 out of 5]

How do you follow up in the wake of Bellevue Square with another doppelgänger story? The world of Canlit seems to be a bit too busy in this realm and Timothy Taylor just happened to be publishing at the wrong time. In The Rule of Stephens, he couldn't seem to figure out what his story was about: science vs the unexplainable, technology and luck, reality or surreality... and sadly neither is the reader. It's a short read and he just crams so much into its pages that we skate through it on a jagged, thin river of ice. And once we fell through one, there was no resurfacing.

And the sad thing is that both this book and the aforementioned Bellevue Square have the same editor, Martha Kanya-Fornster. Sad she couldn't provide a bit more guidance here especially since she was close to both books... but I suppose some books swim while the others inevitably sink.

[Laraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2-4 star read. The premise of this book intrigued me. A woman is one of 6 survivors of a plane crash that no one should have survived. Catherine has struggled with survivor guilt and memories of something strange that happened when the plane was going down, something she has told no one else. Busy launching a new company, she makes time when another survivor calls her to tell her his story, similar to hers. All their luck dissolved when they survived the crash. And all of them have committed suicide. And then Catherine's luck starts to change for the worst. And she has to decide if she is going to be another victim or if she is going to find a way to make her survival count. Not a bad read.

[Steven Buechler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor is one of those rare writers who documents elements of the human condition that are just outside of our perception. Careful readers will note the points he is making through the telling of the story of Catherine Bach in their own lives yet may have never noted the situations of emotions until reading this book. Certainly this is a unique book told by a unique and talented writer.

https://pacifictranquility.wordpress....

[Sonia Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Rule of Stephens" held my attention through every well written twist.
Catherine Bach, a doctor wanting to create an early diagnostic app that puts people in charge of their own bodies, finds her life spinning out of control. Against the odds she has survived an air crash only to find survival is not the only thing defying explanation.
Dopplegangers, mysterious strangers,strange downturns in fortune.. what does fate hold for one of the lucky survivors?
Timothy Tailor has created a spell binding, psychological thriller. Enjoy the ride.

[Sarnfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointing. “Page-turning thriller”? Hardly. “Psychological tale of guilt, doubt and doppelgängers”? Maybe a little in the final pages, but that all fizzled out pretty quick. More a story of the protagonist’s start-up company, how it worked, how it was financed, etc, etc. Unless I totally missed something here or I just didn’t get it. Either way, was happy to turn the last page.

[Mystic Faerie ✨️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this book. It was well written... but I found it somewhat confusing. Or maybe I was looking for more and it just wasn't there? Not sure. I will check out the author's other books though, because I enjoyed his writing style.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to say what this book is. Mostly a thriller, though especially the early part moved slowly and there were a lot of paragraphs I found myself skimming or skipping. Also a not-quite-supernatural thread, which was either critical to the story or irrelevant, and I’m not quite sure which.

[Philip Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chilling examination of the seemingly inexplicable. Catherine is forced to confront the possibility that the lens through which she views the world is inaccurate. And the fallout is nothing short of life-threatening.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel. I had no idea how it was all going to end. Was it going to be a Stephen King end or a Stephen Hawking end? Those are the two Stephens the title refers to.

Great character development, good plot, fast moving story and lots of mystery. What's not to love?

[Maya · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was super into the premise of this novel, which deals with the conflict between the rational and the inexplicable, and is a really cool genre mish-mash of sci-fi, mystery and suspense. The novel deals with the theme of survivor’s guilt very poignantly, and the characters are compellingly written and genuinely interesting. Taylor deftly explores the intricacies of human connection, both to loved ones and strangers that we happen to become connected to through shared experience. The writing is a little clunky and heavy-handed at parts, and doesn’t always flow. Although I got really wrapped up in the mystery, the confrontation between Catherine and her “double” was extremely confusing and unsatisfying, and clarified nothing for me. My mom read this book as well and was equally mystified by the ending. If it’s supposed to be purposefully ambiguous, it’s too sloppily done and is more confusing than thought-provoking. The conclusion of the novel felt rushed and was unsatisfying. I think this novel has potential, it just needed to be sharpened and cleaned up a bit.

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to the publishers for this ARC copy. I felt that this book could have been longer. Interesting ideas and characters needed more depth. It reads more like an outline than a novel.

[Nikki Vogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Taylor delivers. He sewed mystery into the fabric of the novel without leaving behind even a hint of a seam. I was smitten by the imagery and by the existential angst of the protagonist.

[Char · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn’t get into this book at all. Maybe I was expecting something different, found myself skipping over most of it then quit reading it

[Richard Lehingrat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great title and without giving anything away, only one Stephen ruled the day. ***

[Mary Curran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd premise but interesting and well written.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book never really caught my interest.

[Meg Birch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very satisfying ending.

[Rena Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a recent Thursday night, I heard Timothy Taylor read from this book, said hello, got my book signed and read it the next day. It grabbed my imagination with it's dense writing and that observantly smart voice I remember from his other books. This is a real page turner, fast-paced and full of intrigue , with a very clever premise concerning how the lead character uses this either/or (Stephen King vs Stephen Hawking) device to describe her shifting consciousness.

Being sympathetic to the Stephen King worldview of mystical importance myself, I've studied under Tim and remember him being deeply aligned with the other Stephen - the rational materialist Stephen Hawking. Perhaps that is what drew me to this so quickly - the fact that he was willing to entertain the unseen mysteries of life through a new work of fiction.

The book hums along towards a conclusion that I was pleased with, though the writing at the end, in my opinion, reflected the author's own dipping in and out of both Rules, never completely on the side of either. And while I thought it left the ending a bit weaker than the rest of the book, I also loved what felt like transparent personal honesty that couldn't have been written any other way.

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads First-reads giveaway...thank you, but I only made it halfway through this book and I had to give up and quit. It is dry, boring, uninteresting, and not at all what I thought it was. It mostly droned on and on about the protagonist’s start-up company...not something that made me want to keep turning the pages. I just couldn’t take it anymore. Sorry, but I can’t recommend this one to readers.

[Petra Willemse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes there are books that a reader just inhaled because you can’t wait to see what would happen. Then in the best books, you realize as you are inhaling that you want to slow down and breathe in the words. This was one of those books for me. I’m a fan of the author and I think his work has only gotten better over time. It’s weird and wonderful and I enjoyed every word.