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Richard III #1
This Time
This Time starts moments before Richard III loses to Henry Tudor on Bosworth Field near Leicester, England on August 22, 1485, when a team of Ricardians (people trying to restore the name and reputation of Richard III) substitute an armor clad corpse for the king and bring him into Portland, Oregon. Richard awakens August 21, 2004 to an alien world where even the English he speaks is different. The story follows two parallel the present where Richard must learn how to adjust to not only the technological advancements but also the more difficult cultural differences; and looking back at the past to solve some of the mysteries that have haunted and maligned his image for over 500 years.
343 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 26, 2010
I thought the story concept would be fun to read, but the quality of the writing ruined it for me. No depth in this writing. The author brings to light the challenges of moving from the 5th to 21st century but then glosses over how Richard makes the adjustments to his new life. Overall very poor writing for an imaginative idea.
May 16, 2012
Although an interesting concept; the author (IMHO) was simply not up to the task. The characters were all one-dimensional, and the plot underdeveloped. I freely admit that I am no Ricardian, but I was eager to read this just for the time travel thread, and to see how it all panned out for a medieval monarch coping in this century. He took to it like a duck to water. So much so that opportunities were missed by the dozen. Dull, vapid, nonsense.
Editing to add some observations: Richard pining endlessly for his wife; then jumping into bed with the female lead? A little inconsistent to me. This was just a piece of wish-fulfilment fantasy. I'll go re-read Daughter of Time, by Josephine Tey. A far better look at Richard III, with a bit of actual research thrown in.
Editing to add some observations: Richard pining endlessly for his wife; then jumping into bed with the female lead? A little inconsistent to me. This was just a piece of wish-fulfilment fantasy. I'll go re-read Daughter of Time, by Josephine Tey. A far better look at Richard III, with a bit of actual research thrown in.
March 23, 2015
So I've been reading a lot about Richard III lately, and a couple weeks ago I was lying in bed trying to get to sleep and I was wondering what it'd be like if Richard III was propelled into the 21st Century, and most importantly - would he like Fall Out Boy or not? I don't expect this particular book to answer that most pertinent of questions, but it sounds so bizarre I can't wait to read it anyway.
***
So it's a big week for Richard III this week. After 530 years, he is being reburied in Leicester this Thursday. I find it remarkable, live tv coverage and cameras, 1000s of people filing past the coffin of a monarch who died over 500 years ago, and one who has been vilified and portrayed as a tyrant at that. I wonder what he'd have thought of it all, if he could have known. Makes me kind of emotional to be honest.
This book addresses that juxtaposition between the old and the new as, minutes before dying at Bosworth, Richard is transported 500 years into the future by a group of scientists.
Honestly, I always feel a little weird reading fictional books about real people. I can't get over wondering what they'd think about it if they could read it and then I feel all kinds of secondhand embarrassment. This book was not very good. I mean, it's fan fiction, let's not try to pretend otherwise. The whole historical-figure-in-modern-day-setting trope is one I find quite fascinating, and Richard III being my current historical obsession I'd be fascinated to get to talk to him. I never will get that opportunity so I suppose I have to live vicariously through this book.
I feel like a lot more could have been done here. Basically, Richard embarks on his 21st Century life with relative ease. I mean, within days he's doing Google searches, using the telephone, and learning to drive. I have no doubt that Richard was a highly intelligent and well-educated man who would be able to adapt to our times eventually, but I don't think the time span given in the book was entirely credible. A longer timespan to adjust would have seemed more realistic. Maybe a little more turmoil. Maybe acknowledge a breaking point at which he cannot take in anything else for the time being, and seeks solace in religion or...archery, or whatever Richard III might've done for fun in his day. He doesn't seem to pine for his old life at all, and while his old life was tough, it was also what he knew and we all want to turn to the comforts of the familiar when out of our depths and overwhelmed.
He also seems to adjust remarkably well to being an ordinary punter. This guy was king, before that Duke of Gloucester and lord of the north of England. In short, the guy was powerful and he answered to no one but his brother, King Edward IV. And he would have been constantly surrounded by servants. It doesn't seem to faze him at all to come into the 21st Century and to be at the bottom of the food chain and have to fill out spreadsheets for a living. And have to make his own dinners. Except he seems to eat takeaway pizza most of the time. It wasn't plausible! The part that rang most true was his turmoil over discovering his new ladyfriend is Jewish.
The writing is very basic, with stilted dialogue. The plot ultimately centred on Richard's co-worker, who he thinks is hot and thereby wants to marry her, and fixing the time machine that brought him to the future in order to go back and rescue his son. I feel like once the author had sorta kinda dealt with the really interesting bit - his adjustment to 21st Century life - the book just became a series of repetitive conversations about how the time machine was broken and sending robots into the past, but first we will need to fix the time machine, which as you know was disabled by a previous employee, and also we're gonna need some ROBOTS! And that was the rest of the book until the last few pages where Edward is finally rescued and has his appendix operated on and seems pretty chill about the whole thing really.
He also ends up being president of the techy company who brought him into the future within a year of arriving. C'mon, now. Is he ready for that. I bet he still double-clicks internet links.
I had to laugh at the part where Richard, who may we remind you was king of England is trying to Americanize his accent. It made me laugh. He seems generally uninterested in England, actually, which I thought was weird. He doesn't even seem that flabbergasted that he's on a whole new continent that he previously had no clue even existed, but he didn't seem to care at all about the kingdom he once ruled over. I think he finally goes there in the second book.
I still don't know if he likes Fall Out Boy (probably not) but he totally likes Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I think that was the best scene in the book.
Who am I kidding though, I still ploughed through this thing and I think I'm gonna read the sequel.
***
So it's a big week for Richard III this week. After 530 years, he is being reburied in Leicester this Thursday. I find it remarkable, live tv coverage and cameras, 1000s of people filing past the coffin of a monarch who died over 500 years ago, and one who has been vilified and portrayed as a tyrant at that. I wonder what he'd have thought of it all, if he could have known. Makes me kind of emotional to be honest.
This book addresses that juxtaposition between the old and the new as, minutes before dying at Bosworth, Richard is transported 500 years into the future by a group of scientists.
Honestly, I always feel a little weird reading fictional books about real people. I can't get over wondering what they'd think about it if they could read it and then I feel all kinds of secondhand embarrassment. This book was not very good. I mean, it's fan fiction, let's not try to pretend otherwise. The whole historical-figure-in-modern-day-setting trope is one I find quite fascinating, and Richard III being my current historical obsession I'd be fascinated to get to talk to him. I never will get that opportunity so I suppose I have to live vicariously through this book.
I feel like a lot more could have been done here. Basically, Richard embarks on his 21st Century life with relative ease. I mean, within days he's doing Google searches, using the telephone, and learning to drive. I have no doubt that Richard was a highly intelligent and well-educated man who would be able to adapt to our times eventually, but I don't think the time span given in the book was entirely credible. A longer timespan to adjust would have seemed more realistic. Maybe a little more turmoil. Maybe acknowledge a breaking point at which he cannot take in anything else for the time being, and seeks solace in religion or...archery, or whatever Richard III might've done for fun in his day. He doesn't seem to pine for his old life at all, and while his old life was tough, it was also what he knew and we all want to turn to the comforts of the familiar when out of our depths and overwhelmed.
He also seems to adjust remarkably well to being an ordinary punter. This guy was king, before that Duke of Gloucester and lord of the north of England. In short, the guy was powerful and he answered to no one but his brother, King Edward IV. And he would have been constantly surrounded by servants. It doesn't seem to faze him at all to come into the 21st Century and to be at the bottom of the food chain and have to fill out spreadsheets for a living. And have to make his own dinners. Except he seems to eat takeaway pizza most of the time. It wasn't plausible! The part that rang most true was his turmoil over discovering his new ladyfriend is Jewish.
The writing is very basic, with stilted dialogue. The plot ultimately centred on Richard's co-worker, who he thinks is hot and thereby wants to marry her, and fixing the time machine that brought him to the future in order to go back and rescue his son. I feel like once the author had sorta kinda dealt with the really interesting bit - his adjustment to 21st Century life - the book just became a series of repetitive conversations about how the time machine was broken and sending robots into the past, but first we will need to fix the time machine, which as you know was disabled by a previous employee, and also we're gonna need some ROBOTS! And that was the rest of the book until the last few pages where Edward is finally rescued and has his appendix operated on and seems pretty chill about the whole thing really.
He also ends up being president of the techy company who brought him into the future within a year of arriving. C'mon, now. Is he ready for that. I bet he still double-clicks internet links.
I had to laugh at the part where Richard, who may we remind you was king of England is trying to Americanize his accent. It made me laugh. He seems generally uninterested in England, actually, which I thought was weird. He doesn't even seem that flabbergasted that he's on a whole new continent that he previously had no clue even existed, but he didn't seem to care at all about the kingdom he once ruled over. I think he finally goes there in the second book.
I still don't know if he likes Fall Out Boy (probably not) but he totally likes Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I think that was the best scene in the book.
Who am I kidding though, I still ploughed through this thing and I think I'm gonna read the sequel.
March 30, 2012
Two stars solely for the brilliance of the concept. What devoted Ricardian could resist? Unfortunately, the execution did not live up to hopes. I was hoping to read about how a 15th century royal would/could cope with the 21st century (loss of prestige, power, service, modern technology, etc.). Instead, after the very first part, I was reading what felt like a Lifetime Movie of the Week, about how a sensitive new-age kind of man seamlessly learns to fit in with his new-found friends and romantic interests. Granted, there is nothing realistic about the whole scenario, but I have to think that a medieval man would not be adapting to the speed of car and plane travel,instantaneous telephone communications and electricity quite so easily. It is too bad...
April 27, 2010
Just too American for my taste. Dialogue, plot, characterization, etc. Such an interesting concept but fell flat. I would really like to know ... why Portland?
April 25, 2011
Reads like adequate fanfiction. For anyone interested in Richard III, I highly recommend Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne In Splendour instead.
February 15, 2012
Brilliant concept! Horrible execution! Reads like a really bad "b" movie script. I couldn't finish.
February 18, 2022
This is a time travel novel in which a team of scientist, led by a wealthy Ricardian, succed in bringing Richard III into the XXI century, minutes before he falls at Bosworth.
Let's start with the thing I liked about the book. First of all, absolutely the concept. I'd love to see how an historical figure would adapt into our times. The book is also a flowing reading, it took me just a day to finish it and held my attention till the last. I appreciate the author's effort in recreating Richard's story and charachter and how he would feel like living today; Richard's portayal is postive, and I can't fail to appreciate this, being a committed Ricardian as the author clearly is. I loved the beginning, when Richard wakes up and questions the world around him ("Orange juice? But oranges must be imported from Spain at a great coast! They really could afford to waste them for juice?"), shows his temper and his awareness of his own rank and blood.
Unfortunately I feel like the premise didn't really live up to the final product. There are too many holes and inconsistencies. Richard adapts to the present like is nothing, it takes only a couple of days; after a brief beginning, as I mentioned, much of the good potential disappears. For example Richard sees a woman dressed in "male garments" (i.e. trousers) and calls her "heretic". But after this, he doesn't question anymore the freedom and indipendence women enjoy in this century; he accepts without batting an eyelid that the same woman si divorced, has a lover and so on. He demands to be called "Your Grace", but in a few seconds he's okay with everyone calling him by his name, or even nickname. I mean, this guy has lived all his life as Duke of Gloucester and King of England, he's way too much meek and obedient; though I don't doubt he was a kind man, he was still a man of rank, a Plantagenet. I don't know, but I would've not so easily adapt if I were him! And for a man of his power he adjusts all too easily to be a nobody, a common man, working in low key positions. Where is his pride?
After he comes to the present he entertains the idea of bringing his beloved wife and son too, so they can be saved. He's costantly longing for Anne, proclaiming he will love her forever; but after little more than one month in the present (from the end of August to end of september, and so barely 7 months since Anne's death) he's already in love at first sight with another woman and wants to marry her. The fact that she's Jew adds something interesting to the story, but after trying to convince her to convert, or at leats to baptize their future children, Richard gives up any objection. To me this didn't work well... it was far more credible if Richard renounced the woman at that point. I would've issues with my kids not being baptized, I can't imagine a XV century man who heard Mass three times a day. Speaking of which, Richard's faith is really not explored at all; it took his friend at about half of the book to ask him why he didn't go to church until now, why he didn't feel the need to know what religion was professed in the present, talk to a priest, pray... whatever. Also, I understand that the author is American, but I don't know if it was a good choice to set the book in Portland and Richard happy to settle there forever. Not once he expresses longing for his homeland, or simply curiosity at what it looks like now; he says he loves all of his three kids, and not once he asked what befell to John and Katherine; he doesn't care about what happened after his demise, to his friends, family, what happened in history, how his reputation was ruined... in general I felt that Richard's past is almost ignored, and the main focus of the book is about rebuilding an anonymous life in Portland. It's hard for me to imagine he could be content with this. The love story could have worked out if it was made with another timing, another slowly way to fall in love, and maybe changing the premises or the outcome. The scoliosis issue was inserted into the second edition, so I understand why it wasn't given much space, but it felt yet odd that, after examining his medical condition, no one suggested to Richard to undergo surgery for it.
There were parts that really moved me, like the "fairytale" about how Dickon saves Anne, that Richard tells as a bedtime story to the daughter's of his new girlfriend. I would've liked to read more about his personal story from Richard's lips and more of his conflicts in living 500 years in the future. The premises were very good, but the story could have been better, so for me 3 stars.
Let's start with the thing I liked about the book. First of all, absolutely the concept. I'd love to see how an historical figure would adapt into our times. The book is also a flowing reading, it took me just a day to finish it and held my attention till the last. I appreciate the author's effort in recreating Richard's story and charachter and how he would feel like living today; Richard's portayal is postive, and I can't fail to appreciate this, being a committed Ricardian as the author clearly is. I loved the beginning, when Richard wakes up and questions the world around him ("Orange juice? But oranges must be imported from Spain at a great coast! They really could afford to waste them for juice?"), shows his temper and his awareness of his own rank and blood.
Unfortunately I feel like the premise didn't really live up to the final product. There are too many holes and inconsistencies. Richard adapts to the present like is nothing, it takes only a couple of days; after a brief beginning, as I mentioned, much of the good potential disappears. For example Richard sees a woman dressed in "male garments" (i.e. trousers) and calls her "heretic". But after this, he doesn't question anymore the freedom and indipendence women enjoy in this century; he accepts without batting an eyelid that the same woman si divorced, has a lover and so on. He demands to be called "Your Grace", but in a few seconds he's okay with everyone calling him by his name, or even nickname. I mean, this guy has lived all his life as Duke of Gloucester and King of England, he's way too much meek and obedient; though I don't doubt he was a kind man, he was still a man of rank, a Plantagenet. I don't know, but I would've not so easily adapt if I were him! And for a man of his power he adjusts all too easily to be a nobody, a common man, working in low key positions. Where is his pride?
After he comes to the present he entertains the idea of bringing his beloved wife and son too, so they can be saved. He's costantly longing for Anne, proclaiming he will love her forever; but after little more than one month in the present (from the end of August to end of september, and so barely 7 months since Anne's death) he's already in love at first sight with another woman and wants to marry her. The fact that she's Jew adds something interesting to the story, but after trying to convince her to convert, or at leats to baptize their future children, Richard gives up any objection. To me this didn't work well... it was far more credible if Richard renounced the woman at that point. I would've issues with my kids not being baptized, I can't imagine a XV century man who heard Mass three times a day. Speaking of which, Richard's faith is really not explored at all; it took his friend at about half of the book to ask him why he didn't go to church until now, why he didn't feel the need to know what religion was professed in the present, talk to a priest, pray... whatever. Also, I understand that the author is American, but I don't know if it was a good choice to set the book in Portland and Richard happy to settle there forever. Not once he expresses longing for his homeland, or simply curiosity at what it looks like now; he says he loves all of his three kids, and not once he asked what befell to John and Katherine; he doesn't care about what happened after his demise, to his friends, family, what happened in history, how his reputation was ruined... in general I felt that Richard's past is almost ignored, and the main focus of the book is about rebuilding an anonymous life in Portland. It's hard for me to imagine he could be content with this. The love story could have worked out if it was made with another timing, another slowly way to fall in love, and maybe changing the premises or the outcome. The scoliosis issue was inserted into the second edition, so I understand why it wasn't given much space, but it felt yet odd that, after examining his medical condition, no one suggested to Richard to undergo surgery for it.
There were parts that really moved me, like the "fairytale" about how Dickon saves Anne, that Richard tells as a bedtime story to the daughter's of his new girlfriend. I would've liked to read more about his personal story from Richard's lips and more of his conflicts in living 500 years in the future. The premises were very good, but the story could have been better, so for me 3 stars.
December 10, 2012
This book is very amateurish but I have given it 2 stars because it is about Richard III by someone sympathetic to the Ricardian cause.
January 16, 2012
My Thoughts:
The premise of this novel is promising-Richard III is transported into the present by a team of Ricardians bent on discovering the truth behind the disappearance of his nephews. Acclimating to a new way of life whilst grieving for his deceased wife and son, he must question everything that he has been taught all the while trying to stay alive once he is no longer needed by the man who pulled him from the past.
The Plot:
I so wanted this novel to live up to its potential, sadly it did not. I must say that it wasn’t a horrid novel; in fact, I rather enjoyed the book- it just wasn’t everything that it could have been. The content seemed to be repetitive and often glossed over things that should have been included (i.e. Richards first experience on an airplane) while placing in things that had previously been dealt with and had no real significance to the story.
The Characters:
This Time had several characters that popped in and out of the novel, some of which seemed to be space fillers (i.e. Fortas) that were used to fill in gaps in the plot.
As for the main characters, I felt that they were strong yet could have used some improvement. For instance the character of Richard III seemed a little too meek and a little too willing to relinquish power. While I do not subscribe to the theory that Richard III was a tyrant, he was still King of England who was accustomed to having total control and I believe that this mild/meek character with a willingness to conform was a bit there in left field. Not only did he adjust to the modern world he did so in an amazingly short amount of time which gave the novel a generic feel to it.
We then have three potential love interests for Richard which seems to muddy up the flow of the book. Once you think Richard gets settled with one person, the plot switches. If the love interest would have been established firmly from the beginning it would have aided in the flow of the plot.
The Time Travel Aspect:
This is where time travel novels often get tricky. If the method of time travel is too outlandish the novel, despite how well-crafted the plot is, fails. The method of time travel in this novel actually seemed plausible and while there was occasional science related jargon the book wasn’t overly wrought with it.
Why Do I Feel This Novel Failed To Live Up To Its Potential?
A time travel novel with Ricardian sympathies has potential to be a grand novel. This Time was bogged down with repetitive actions, unneeded secondary plots, unneeded secondary characters, and triple love interest while much needed aspects were glossed over.
Overall Opinion:
Overall, I did like book, it’s a plotline that is not often done which made me eager to read it. Some parts of the novel had me constantly turning the page and when the book ended I still had a desire to read the second part, it’s just not the type of desire that would make me place the second installment on top of my TBR list.
The thing that kind of irked me most about the novel was the questions that were asked to Richard. The sole purpose of bringing him into the present was to question him about the disappearance of his nephews once he provided that information they were ready to kill him off. I believe that the author could have made the questions more interesting, after all the sky was her limit.
Noteworthy Items:
Violence:
This book does have a bit of battle-related violence as the novel opens with scenes from Bosworth; it also has someone being shot. There are also several mentions of scientific cadavers being used as a decoy body when they pulled Richard into this time.
Romance:
I didn’t find the romance to be explicit in this novel, but there is mention of sexual encounters.
Language:
There were a lot of four letter words flying about in this novel, in my opinion they were over used.
Some may feel that the language is inappropriate.
The premise of this novel is promising-Richard III is transported into the present by a team of Ricardians bent on discovering the truth behind the disappearance of his nephews. Acclimating to a new way of life whilst grieving for his deceased wife and son, he must question everything that he has been taught all the while trying to stay alive once he is no longer needed by the man who pulled him from the past.
The Plot:
I so wanted this novel to live up to its potential, sadly it did not. I must say that it wasn’t a horrid novel; in fact, I rather enjoyed the book- it just wasn’t everything that it could have been. The content seemed to be repetitive and often glossed over things that should have been included (i.e. Richards first experience on an airplane) while placing in things that had previously been dealt with and had no real significance to the story.
The Characters:
This Time had several characters that popped in and out of the novel, some of which seemed to be space fillers (i.e. Fortas) that were used to fill in gaps in the plot.
As for the main characters, I felt that they were strong yet could have used some improvement. For instance the character of Richard III seemed a little too meek and a little too willing to relinquish power. While I do not subscribe to the theory that Richard III was a tyrant, he was still King of England who was accustomed to having total control and I believe that this mild/meek character with a willingness to conform was a bit there in left field. Not only did he adjust to the modern world he did so in an amazingly short amount of time which gave the novel a generic feel to it.
We then have three potential love interests for Richard which seems to muddy up the flow of the book. Once you think Richard gets settled with one person, the plot switches. If the love interest would have been established firmly from the beginning it would have aided in the flow of the plot.
The Time Travel Aspect:
This is where time travel novels often get tricky. If the method of time travel is too outlandish the novel, despite how well-crafted the plot is, fails. The method of time travel in this novel actually seemed plausible and while there was occasional science related jargon the book wasn’t overly wrought with it.
Why Do I Feel This Novel Failed To Live Up To Its Potential?
A time travel novel with Ricardian sympathies has potential to be a grand novel. This Time was bogged down with repetitive actions, unneeded secondary plots, unneeded secondary characters, and triple love interest while much needed aspects were glossed over.
Overall Opinion:
Overall, I did like book, it’s a plotline that is not often done which made me eager to read it. Some parts of the novel had me constantly turning the page and when the book ended I still had a desire to read the second part, it’s just not the type of desire that would make me place the second installment on top of my TBR list.
The thing that kind of irked me most about the novel was the questions that were asked to Richard. The sole purpose of bringing him into the present was to question him about the disappearance of his nephews once he provided that information they were ready to kill him off. I believe that the author could have made the questions more interesting, after all the sky was her limit.
Noteworthy Items:
Violence:
This book does have a bit of battle-related violence as the novel opens with scenes from Bosworth; it also has someone being shot. There are also several mentions of scientific cadavers being used as a decoy body when they pulled Richard into this time.
Romance:
I didn’t find the romance to be explicit in this novel, but there is mention of sexual encounters.
Language:
There were a lot of four letter words flying about in this novel, in my opinion they were over used.
Some may feel that the language is inappropriate.
October 1, 2014
Okay, so about Richard II in the 21st Century. My opinion:
Good points:
* I absolutely adore the concept.
* The history, if Ricardian in interpretation, is factually accurate. This is unusual enough even in prestigious historical fiction that it's a welcome, welcome surprise.
* Richard's reaction to the future and to being brought into the present are very plausible, if too short-lasting.
* Richard has slight Mary Sue tendencies, but not enough to render him one-dimensional. He's not "too good for this sinful world", but he is above normal in a way that does, rarely, grate. I liked that he's constantly having to face his own unthinking ingrained racism and is both unimpressed with himself and unwilling to change, but that seems to be his only serious character flaw.
* The descriptive prose is above average for professionally published fiction (which I believe this is not).
* It's actually been copy edited. This is not a minor thing. I would never have been able to get through this book had errors in the text distracted me from the meaning.
Negatives:
* For a guy who heard the Mass three times a day and who was known for his piety, Richard doesn't seem to be terribly religious after he wakes up in 2004. Either he should have asked for a priest or he should have expressed (if only to himself) doubts that he was still alive. If I were him, I might have considered the possibility that I was in Purgatory.
* Other characters are either not well developed or imperfectly developed. With a few, it's as if the writer thinks we should know more about their motivations than we do.
* Too many characters are willing to believe the apparently impossible without sufficient doubt - Richard above all.
* The dialogue doesn't always read well. There's a lot of Spock Speak, especially from Richard.
* No matter how good someone is at picking up languages, they don't get from Early Modern English to the 21st Century as quickly as Richard does here, especially in terms of vocabulary.
* The timing is completely and totally screwed. Richard is driving a car within a month of arriving in 2004. He is speaking modern English within days. He knows what "Chinese takeout" is. He doesn't even react to his first airplane flight (didn't you? I did). This more than anything damaged my wilful suspension of disbelief.
* The plot itself is in places disjointed and choppy. There's a lot of informed competence. Some plot lines are more convoluted than they need to be.
* The writer simply ignores some of the differences between Richard's world and ours. The only thing remotely political Richard ever reacts to is the US Constitution. He doesn't seem to know that, for instance, the position of Sovereign today is mainly ceremonial: the Queen would have to sign her own death warrant were it validly and legally presented to her. ETA On rereading, I get the impression that the writer didn't understand how the Westminster parliamentary system works, and is one of those Americans who has no clue that a monarchy can also be a democracy.
* There are apparent What Happened to the Mouse? issues in the first book that are resolved in the second, but there isn't enough foreshadowing in either book. The problems drop in like the 101st Airborne.
* Why doesn't Richard get sick? This may sound fussy, but common cold viruses mutate quickly; anyone arriving from the distant past would be beset by colds (and influenza, and bacterial skin infections) as soon as they arrived. We don't even see Richard getting vaccinated, and if there's anything a guy from 1485 should wonder at it's the fact that sticking a needle in your arm means you'll never have smallpox or spotted fever.
Neutral:
* The story as written can't be reconciled with the recovery of Richard's remains or the discoveries afterwards. No harm no foul, because how could the writer have known?
Good points:
* I absolutely adore the concept.
* The history, if Ricardian in interpretation, is factually accurate. This is unusual enough even in prestigious historical fiction that it's a welcome, welcome surprise.
* Richard's reaction to the future and to being brought into the present are very plausible, if too short-lasting.
* Richard has slight Mary Sue tendencies, but not enough to render him one-dimensional. He's not "too good for this sinful world", but he is above normal in a way that does, rarely, grate. I liked that he's constantly having to face his own unthinking ingrained racism and is both unimpressed with himself and unwilling to change, but that seems to be his only serious character flaw.
* The descriptive prose is above average for professionally published fiction (which I believe this is not).
* It's actually been copy edited. This is not a minor thing. I would never have been able to get through this book had errors in the text distracted me from the meaning.
Negatives:
* For a guy who heard the Mass three times a day and who was known for his piety, Richard doesn't seem to be terribly religious after he wakes up in 2004. Either he should have asked for a priest or he should have expressed (if only to himself) doubts that he was still alive. If I were him, I might have considered the possibility that I was in Purgatory.
* Other characters are either not well developed or imperfectly developed. With a few, it's as if the writer thinks we should know more about their motivations than we do.
* Too many characters are willing to believe the apparently impossible without sufficient doubt - Richard above all.
* The dialogue doesn't always read well. There's a lot of Spock Speak, especially from Richard.
* No matter how good someone is at picking up languages, they don't get from Early Modern English to the 21st Century as quickly as Richard does here, especially in terms of vocabulary.
* The timing is completely and totally screwed. Richard is driving a car within a month of arriving in 2004. He is speaking modern English within days. He knows what "Chinese takeout" is. He doesn't even react to his first airplane flight (didn't you? I did). This more than anything damaged my wilful suspension of disbelief.
* The plot itself is in places disjointed and choppy. There's a lot of informed competence. Some plot lines are more convoluted than they need to be.
* The writer simply ignores some of the differences between Richard's world and ours. The only thing remotely political Richard ever reacts to is the US Constitution. He doesn't seem to know that, for instance, the position of Sovereign today is mainly ceremonial: the Queen would have to sign her own death warrant were it validly and legally presented to her. ETA On rereading, I get the impression that the writer didn't understand how the Westminster parliamentary system works, and is one of those Americans who has no clue that a monarchy can also be a democracy.
* There are apparent What Happened to the Mouse? issues in the first book that are resolved in the second, but there isn't enough foreshadowing in either book. The problems drop in like the 101st Airborne.
* Why doesn't Richard get sick? This may sound fussy, but common cold viruses mutate quickly; anyone arriving from the distant past would be beset by colds (and influenza, and bacterial skin infections) as soon as they arrived. We don't even see Richard getting vaccinated, and if there's anything a guy from 1485 should wonder at it's the fact that sticking a needle in your arm means you'll never have smallpox or spotted fever.
Neutral:
* The story as written can't be reconciled with the recovery of Richard's remains or the discoveries afterwards. No harm no foul, because how could the writer have known?
January 1, 2015
great premise ruined by terrible writing - I think I could have done better...
Set aside the time travel aspect, so many elements that were totally unbelievable, relationships blossoming unnaturally quickly...
None of this will stop me reading a sequel though - the idea is still strong enough to carry it through.
Set aside the time travel aspect, so many elements that were totally unbelievable, relationships blossoming unnaturally quickly...
None of this will stop me reading a sequel though - the idea is still strong enough to carry it through.
March 9, 2010
Loved the concept, but I would have asked Richard so many more questions, not just about the fate of the princes.
So jealous of the women who got to hook up with Richard!
So jealous of the women who got to hook up with Richard!
January 13, 2014
Fascinating concept. Predictable and cliched execution. The writing was painful and the characters abhorrently dull. I have GOT to stop impulsively one clicking things!
April 19, 2023
UGH!!!
Richard III takes to the 21st century like a duck to water.
Full review: https://scepticalreading.com/2023/04/...
Richard III takes to the 21st century like a duck to water.
Full review: https://scepticalreading.com/2023/04/...
May 1, 2014
Entertaining Story; Needs Small Adjustments to Really Flow
***contains some non-crucial spoilers***
Having read Clayton Spann's Roger Ward Trilogy, which begins with an historian traveling back in time to 1498 to try to find out what really happened to the Princes in the Tower, this novel struck my fancy as a sort of opposite turn - what happens when you bring Richard III forward in time to tell his own story? And this is exactly what Evan Hosgrove wants.
"This Time" is a light read but absorbing enough that I read it in 2 days and am now starting the sequel, "Loyalty Binds Me." There is history, romance, adventure, sci-fi, and mystery. Some parts of Richard's readjustment are laugh-out-loud funny (a catheter goes WHERE?) while others are heartbreaking. Richard's romance may seem rushed, but if too much space were spent on "taking it slow" people would have complained of boredom. The novel takes place over a year's time, and for me it seemed that Sarah's decision to get involved was more to be questioned than Richard's.
This is a fictional novel, not a history; therefore, I expected it to take dramatic license. Historians can overlook this if the book is entertaining. Is it possible that Richard might have reacted differently to being jerked from his own time than portrayed in this novel? Certainly. But there are many possibilities and I was satisfied with the ones the author chose. Even where I disagreed, the story was interesting enough to stay with.
One reaction that seemed quite realistic to me is that Richard (who is from pre-Reformation England) takes for granted that "the Church" is the Catholic Church and that its teachings still inform 21st century life. I did find it questionable that Richard did not miss the presence of the Church or daily Mass for months, but to say he had a lot on his plate is putting it mildly. From my own POV, I would have thought that in a world gone mad, Richard would have sought the counsel of his church. Yet no mention is made of religion until it becomes a plot point.
Some reviews complain that Richard seems to accept all the changes too quickly, to fit into the 21st century without looking back. I thought that once Richard recognized that he could never return to the 15th century, he determined to grab this century by the horns and that struck me as a realistic reaction for Richard. He does struggle with new ideas as well as new gadgets and more than once the book refers to him reading and researching. There are also times when Richard recognizes that he cannot control an event and tends to let things flow under his quiet but astute observation until he finds his feet - this also strikes me as the move of a wise man.
Overall, an entertaining read, but it could use more depth.
***contains some non-crucial spoilers***
Having read Clayton Spann's Roger Ward Trilogy, which begins with an historian traveling back in time to 1498 to try to find out what really happened to the Princes in the Tower, this novel struck my fancy as a sort of opposite turn - what happens when you bring Richard III forward in time to tell his own story? And this is exactly what Evan Hosgrove wants.
"This Time" is a light read but absorbing enough that I read it in 2 days and am now starting the sequel, "Loyalty Binds Me." There is history, romance, adventure, sci-fi, and mystery. Some parts of Richard's readjustment are laugh-out-loud funny (a catheter goes WHERE?) while others are heartbreaking. Richard's romance may seem rushed, but if too much space were spent on "taking it slow" people would have complained of boredom. The novel takes place over a year's time, and for me it seemed that Sarah's decision to get involved was more to be questioned than Richard's.
This is a fictional novel, not a history; therefore, I expected it to take dramatic license. Historians can overlook this if the book is entertaining. Is it possible that Richard might have reacted differently to being jerked from his own time than portrayed in this novel? Certainly. But there are many possibilities and I was satisfied with the ones the author chose. Even where I disagreed, the story was interesting enough to stay with.
One reaction that seemed quite realistic to me is that Richard (who is from pre-Reformation England) takes for granted that "the Church" is the Catholic Church and that its teachings still inform 21st century life. I did find it questionable that Richard did not miss the presence of the Church or daily Mass for months, but to say he had a lot on his plate is putting it mildly. From my own POV, I would have thought that in a world gone mad, Richard would have sought the counsel of his church. Yet no mention is made of religion until it becomes a plot point.
Some reviews complain that Richard seems to accept all the changes too quickly, to fit into the 21st century without looking back. I thought that once Richard recognized that he could never return to the 15th century, he determined to grab this century by the horns and that struck me as a realistic reaction for Richard. He does struggle with new ideas as well as new gadgets and more than once the book refers to him reading and researching. There are also times when Richard recognizes that he cannot control an event and tends to let things flow under his quiet but astute observation until he finds his feet - this also strikes me as the move of a wise man.
Overall, an entertaining read, but it could use more depth.
May 30, 2012
Shakespeare got it wrong!
When a wealthy history buff endeavors to unravel the truth about his favorite English king, he funds a time travel project. According to Shakespeare’s play, King Richard III was a hunchback who murdered his wife and two nephews, but he was wrong. The novel opens as Richard III fights his last battle, the one where he gets cut down in a bloody massacre, but time-travel scientists drag him into 2004. They leave a “look alike” body behind so that history remains in tact. Unfortunately the rich historian thinks he owns Richard. He plans to “question” Richard and send him back to die.
While I was reading this fascinating book, I wondered who I’d like to snatch from history. There are so many remarkable people I’d enjoy meeting, but my favorite would be Benjamin Franklin—a pivotal character in our country’s forming. He franchised businesses, started the postal system and lending libraries, and served as ambassador for his fledgling country. It would be fun to meet him.
King Richard III did not have much “fun” as his captors grilled him about his life. Since he was an intelligent soldier, he immediately tried to find a way to escape from his prison. Wouldn’t anyone? How can he survive in a strange new world? He must develop allies. The excellent narrative follows his journey from an archaic royal to a modern man. We appreciate his struggle to learn modern English and catch up on history, while we cheer his romantic adventures and quest to save his son.
The author helps us understand King Richard III in a way that Shakespeare never imagined. I don’t know much about English history, but I learned a lot about the problems that faced royalty of that time period from this well-written novel. I peeked at the sequel, Loyalty Binds Me, and I’m anxious to find out how Dickon (his favorite nickname) manages to get into more trouble during the next phase of the story. Buy this book and discover how Shakespeare got it all wrong in his famous play. (I’m still wondering how we can snatch Benjamin Franklin.)
When a wealthy history buff endeavors to unravel the truth about his favorite English king, he funds a time travel project. According to Shakespeare’s play, King Richard III was a hunchback who murdered his wife and two nephews, but he was wrong. The novel opens as Richard III fights his last battle, the one where he gets cut down in a bloody massacre, but time-travel scientists drag him into 2004. They leave a “look alike” body behind so that history remains in tact. Unfortunately the rich historian thinks he owns Richard. He plans to “question” Richard and send him back to die.
While I was reading this fascinating book, I wondered who I’d like to snatch from history. There are so many remarkable people I’d enjoy meeting, but my favorite would be Benjamin Franklin—a pivotal character in our country’s forming. He franchised businesses, started the postal system and lending libraries, and served as ambassador for his fledgling country. It would be fun to meet him.
King Richard III did not have much “fun” as his captors grilled him about his life. Since he was an intelligent soldier, he immediately tried to find a way to escape from his prison. Wouldn’t anyone? How can he survive in a strange new world? He must develop allies. The excellent narrative follows his journey from an archaic royal to a modern man. We appreciate his struggle to learn modern English and catch up on history, while we cheer his romantic adventures and quest to save his son.
The author helps us understand King Richard III in a way that Shakespeare never imagined. I don’t know much about English history, but I learned a lot about the problems that faced royalty of that time period from this well-written novel. I peeked at the sequel, Loyalty Binds Me, and I’m anxious to find out how Dickon (his favorite nickname) manages to get into more trouble during the next phase of the story. Buy this book and discover how Shakespeare got it all wrong in his famous play. (I’m still wondering how we can snatch Benjamin Franklin.)
August 12, 2015
If you could bring someone from the past into the present, who would it be? That is the premise of This Time by Joan Szechtman. In this book, extremely wealthy Evan Hosgrove bankrolls a science project that snatches Richard III from Bosworth Field just moments before he would have been killed, and brings the controversial monarch into the 21st century. Why? Because Hosgrove is also a Ricardian who wants to be able to produce a definitive account of Richard’s life and reign. This includes providing incontrovertible proof as to what happened to the king’s nephews, the “Princes in the Tower,” and thus be a person of note among the Ricardian community.
Once he is brought forward, Richard is treated more like a valuable commodity, to be kept under lock and key, than as an honored guest. This doesn’t sit well with a man who until moments before was the king of England! Other members of the team don’t care for this treatment, either, and befriend Richard. Later, when Richard overhears Hosgrove intends to return him to Bosworth – a literal death sentence – when Hosgrove is finished pumping him for information, he balks. With the help of the team linguist (who helps translates Richard’s English into the 21st century version of the language), he makes his escape and begins learning to assimilate into this time.
The method of time travel involved a kind of science that is "fuzzy science" to me, but that’s okay. It’s here because a method of bringing Richard III into the present was needed, and so time travel is it. And this is what makes this book fun to read, following Richard as he learns about television, how to drive a car, and just about everything else we take for granted in this century.
While reading up on medical advances that have been made since the 15th century, Richard wonders if it would be possible to bring his wife and son into this century also, and this forms the second half of the story.
This Time is entertaining, that fun blend of history and science fiction, with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
Once he is brought forward, Richard is treated more like a valuable commodity, to be kept under lock and key, than as an honored guest. This doesn’t sit well with a man who until moments before was the king of England! Other members of the team don’t care for this treatment, either, and befriend Richard. Later, when Richard overhears Hosgrove intends to return him to Bosworth – a literal death sentence – when Hosgrove is finished pumping him for information, he balks. With the help of the team linguist (who helps translates Richard’s English into the 21st century version of the language), he makes his escape and begins learning to assimilate into this time.
The method of time travel involved a kind of science that is "fuzzy science" to me, but that’s okay. It’s here because a method of bringing Richard III into the present was needed, and so time travel is it. And this is what makes this book fun to read, following Richard as he learns about television, how to drive a car, and just about everything else we take for granted in this century.
While reading up on medical advances that have been made since the 15th century, Richard wonders if it would be possible to bring his wife and son into this century also, and this forms the second half of the story.
This Time is entertaining, that fun blend of history and science fiction, with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.
November 7, 2011
"This Time" is a strange blend of history and science fiction. I don’t often read historical fiction and what little I do is typically from periods much more contemporary than the Middle Ages. Yet, I found Richard III’s story interesting. Using time travel (the science fiction portion) as a device to transport a historical figure into contemporary times gives the reader a different prism through which to view our current times. Richard’s struggle to understand and adapt to contemporary times is a great story idea and illustrates how much the world has changed. It also makes me glad I wasn’t born in the Middle Ages.
One of the story threads regards Richard’s place in history. Many believe the historical record is incorrect, with much of the historical record being inaccurate or not supported by the evidence. Much of the blame for this is attributed to Shakespeare’s play. "This Time" integrates some of those items that are often questioned into the storyline with Richard attempting to set the record straight. "This Time" was not only entertaining as a story, but I felt as though I learned something in the process, not only about Richard and the times in which he lived, but also about the believability of history in general.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
One of the story threads regards Richard’s place in history. Many believe the historical record is incorrect, with much of the historical record being inaccurate or not supported by the evidence. Much of the blame for this is attributed to Shakespeare’s play. "This Time" integrates some of those items that are often questioned into the storyline with Richard attempting to set the record straight. "This Time" was not only entertaining as a story, but I felt as though I learned something in the process, not only about Richard and the times in which he lived, but also about the believability of history in general.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
April 2, 2012
I like Richard III, so I liked the idea of giving him a "second chance". The dialog was a bit stilted but the story was good.
January 23, 2019
Being a long time fan of Richard III - the real one not the Tudor Richard who suffered much from the Tudor hatchet job done on him, I was eager to read this novel. Other reviewers have pointed out the writing flaws. I agree with some, especially the too rapid romance with Sarah and the far too rapid assimilation to the 21st Century. However, I enjoyed the story line and felt that there was enough pace to keep me reading. I am looking forward to reading the next volume in the series: Loyalty Binds Me. If you enjoy reading about Richard III, you might just give this one a try if for no other reason than having a novel approach to a very serious subject.
March 23, 2020
Reread this over the weekend. Cool premise (bringing a historical figure forward in time) with moderately good writing. Recommended for Ricardians or anyone who can suspend belief.
February 18, 2012
This TimeThis Time by Joan Szechtman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I would like to retract that last review...
I reread this book after a few days and picked up nuances I missed the first time around, ignoring the repetition and some of the things that bothered me about the plot - like the rich American from the Portland, Oregon branch of the RIII Society that buys the rights to a 'time machine' and brings the most maligned English monarch that didn't deserve it, Richard III, into the 21st century so he could get first-hand information from Richard rather than hunker down and do the research. I always look for crisp and realistic dialogue and the author did have that, especially Richard's stilted, formal language and mannerisms, but the plot was lacking. The premise was intriguing - a time machine and its crew manages to pull Richard the Third off the battlefield at Redemore Plain (Bosworth)just at the moment the Stanley brothers turn the tables on him - it doesn't get more exciting than this - and into 21st century Portland, Oregon in a mysterious lab.
I still think the plot would have moved better and the story more interesting if it dealt more with how Richard adjusted to his new circumstances. There were touches of that, and some of it sad, humorous, some of it poignant, and those moments in the story grabbed my attention. He was considered an intelligent man but being thrown five hundred plus years into the future, would he have really been able to comprehend our technology as quickly as he does here? I would think that his being a battlefield commander (reportedly one of the best, except for that last, fatalistic charge) and a medieval monarch would have made him feistier and less apt to go along with his situation. And the wealthy scientist's other motivation other than proving something to his 'better educated' chapter members, the one he casually references while in conversation with Richard? That should have been the central motive. I wondered about the setting, too. A setting in the Silicon Valley and better still, England, would have made the story better, in my opinion. But it's my opinion.
The three women he encounters are smitten with him - don't let the posthumous portraits fool you - Richard was smaller in stature and build than his elder brothers Edward and George, but he was considered very handsome and charming according to chroniclers of the time. I get the attraction, but if someone told me he was Richard III, that Richard, I'd still be wary.
Too much emphasis is placed on THE Ricardian mystery - the Princes in the Tower, and yet there are still no answers, and frankly, why does it matter five hundred years after the fact? And why does it matter to people in Portland, Oregon? Nothing was fleshed out.
I loved Richard's character - he was amazing and as interesting at Penman's Richard.
If you are a Ricardian you must read this book, and some of you might just enjoy it.
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I would like to retract that last review...
I reread this book after a few days and picked up nuances I missed the first time around, ignoring the repetition and some of the things that bothered me about the plot - like the rich American from the Portland, Oregon branch of the RIII Society that buys the rights to a 'time machine' and brings the most maligned English monarch that didn't deserve it, Richard III, into the 21st century so he could get first-hand information from Richard rather than hunker down and do the research. I always look for crisp and realistic dialogue and the author did have that, especially Richard's stilted, formal language and mannerisms, but the plot was lacking. The premise was intriguing - a time machine and its crew manages to pull Richard the Third off the battlefield at Redemore Plain (Bosworth)just at the moment the Stanley brothers turn the tables on him - it doesn't get more exciting than this - and into 21st century Portland, Oregon in a mysterious lab.
I still think the plot would have moved better and the story more interesting if it dealt more with how Richard adjusted to his new circumstances. There were touches of that, and some of it sad, humorous, some of it poignant, and those moments in the story grabbed my attention. He was considered an intelligent man but being thrown five hundred plus years into the future, would he have really been able to comprehend our technology as quickly as he does here? I would think that his being a battlefield commander (reportedly one of the best, except for that last, fatalistic charge) and a medieval monarch would have made him feistier and less apt to go along with his situation. And the wealthy scientist's other motivation other than proving something to his 'better educated' chapter members, the one he casually references while in conversation with Richard? That should have been the central motive. I wondered about the setting, too. A setting in the Silicon Valley and better still, England, would have made the story better, in my opinion. But it's my opinion.
The three women he encounters are smitten with him - don't let the posthumous portraits fool you - Richard was smaller in stature and build than his elder brothers Edward and George, but he was considered very handsome and charming according to chroniclers of the time. I get the attraction, but if someone told me he was Richard III, that Richard, I'd still be wary.
Too much emphasis is placed on THE Ricardian mystery - the Princes in the Tower, and yet there are still no answers, and frankly, why does it matter five hundred years after the fact? And why does it matter to people in Portland, Oregon? Nothing was fleshed out.
I loved Richard's character - he was amazing and as interesting at Penman's Richard.
If you are a Ricardian you must read this book, and some of you might just enjoy it.
October 25, 2015
This time travel novel has as the mechanism a quantum physics computer that was designed to displace objects in space at concurrent time but didn't work (objects disintegrated) but then was modified to displace 'objects' in time with vagueness as to the concurrency of space. I found that to be a nice change of pace from the 'magical' time travel stories of read of late.
In this book, it is Richard III who is displaced and brought to the 21st Century by a non-academic but dedicated Ricardian who desperately wanted credibility in the academic community. So, his company developed this quantum device to bring Richard to the present day.
All of that is plot line - the nepharious scientist who wants the historical figure - is a fairly soft theme in the book, while it is Richard's emotional adjustment to being in the 21st Century and coping with his unresolved and still somewhat fresh grief in the past over the death of his wife Anne and son Edward.
Richard becomes determined to have the device that brought him forward be used to retrieve his son and get him the medical care he needed but wasn't available in their own time.
The main storyline focuses on Richard's efforts to get his son back, and with him in the future. A significant feature is the romance that develops with Richard and the original device's original creator, Sarah. The love story is where Richard shines in character development and personality.
I really enjoyed this book, and the story. I have read many reviews across the internet of this book and seen many of the criticisms that it wasn't stronger in answering questions historians and Ricardians have about the Princes, the politics of that time, etc. I do not have that criticism for myself - how can anyone writing fiction be tasked with being an apologist for the historical debates that have been unsettled for 500+ years? That would be propaganda masquerading as entertainment; I like my entertainment straight up, and fictional as all get out is fine by me.
If I had been Richard III and pulled forward in time 500+ years, I would probably be inclined to let the past lie and move on as well. I am personally a "what now?" kind of person. So rather than rehashing yesterday's news, so Richard's "get on with it" approach and adaptability was a wonderful aspect, perfectly suited to my taste in characters.<
I am looking forward to the sequel, which I have already begun to read at the time of writing this review (originally), and if there is yet to be a third book, then I can say with certainty that I am looking forward to not only the sequel but the next one as well.
In this book, it is Richard III who is displaced and brought to the 21st Century by a non-academic but dedicated Ricardian who desperately wanted credibility in the academic community. So, his company developed this quantum device to bring Richard to the present day.
All of that is plot line - the nepharious scientist who wants the historical figure - is a fairly soft theme in the book, while it is Richard's emotional adjustment to being in the 21st Century and coping with his unresolved and still somewhat fresh grief in the past over the death of his wife Anne and son Edward.
Richard becomes determined to have the device that brought him forward be used to retrieve his son and get him the medical care he needed but wasn't available in their own time.
The main storyline focuses on Richard's efforts to get his son back, and with him in the future. A significant feature is the romance that develops with Richard and the original device's original creator, Sarah. The love story is where Richard shines in character development and personality.
I really enjoyed this book, and the story. I have read many reviews across the internet of this book and seen many of the criticisms that it wasn't stronger in answering questions historians and Ricardians have about the Princes, the politics of that time, etc. I do not have that criticism for myself - how can anyone writing fiction be tasked with being an apologist for the historical debates that have been unsettled for 500+ years? That would be propaganda masquerading as entertainment; I like my entertainment straight up, and fictional as all get out is fine by me.
If I had been Richard III and pulled forward in time 500+ years, I would probably be inclined to let the past lie and move on as well. I am personally a "what now?" kind of person. So rather than rehashing yesterday's news, so Richard's "get on with it" approach and adaptability was a wonderful aspect, perfectly suited to my taste in characters.<
I am looking forward to the sequel, which I have already begun to read at the time of writing this review (originally), and if there is yet to be a third book, then I can say with certainty that I am looking forward to not only the sequel but the next one as well.
June 6, 2013
The concept for this book was too unique and interesting to pass up: Richard III brought into the 21st century. How would this medieval king, known to be both battle hardened soldier and fair judge, fit into a world that in no way resembles his own? As it turns out this book has little to do with the "real Richard." Szechtman does not spend much ink on discussing Richard's "past" life, though he is asked whether or not he murdered his nephews. Richard does not ask any questions about the fate of people he knew, though he struggles with survivor's guilt when he considers those loyal to him who fell at Bosworth, as he should have.
My biggest issue with this book is that Richard just didn't seem to be the same person anymore. Though he frequently thinks of his wife, he quickly falls into bed with two other women. He was a duke and king (not to mention his various other titles), but seems to acquiesce quickly to the idea of putting on khakis and finding his cubicle. Coming from a time when mass was attended once or more daily, baptism & confession were considered of upmost importance, and eternal salvation gave men courage to face death in battle, Richard abandons his faith when he is basically told that it is outdated with little struggle on his part. The anti-Christian message was a little heavy-handed in this novel, but Richard never defends his faith as one would expect him to. (Wouldn't he accuse those around him of being heretics, not just say, "Oh, people aren't Catholic anymore? Okay.)
It ended up being more disheartening than anything else to observe a powerful, intelligent man be pushed into a boring office job and convinced that Christians were the cause of the Holocaust. Richard meets a woman and instantly falls in love and wants to marry her, despite the fact that love is not what marriage would have been based on in his time and other characteristics of this woman make her someone that I wouldn't have expected the true Richard to admire. It is as though he quickly leaves behind everything that he was and forms himself into what he is told a 21st century man should be. The novel winds up being more of a contemporary romance than historical fiction.
I still have high hopes for the sequel which is rated better and appears to give us another glance into the past, a place where I hope Richard can become himself again.
My biggest issue with this book is that Richard just didn't seem to be the same person anymore. Though he frequently thinks of his wife, he quickly falls into bed with two other women. He was a duke and king (not to mention his various other titles), but seems to acquiesce quickly to the idea of putting on khakis and finding his cubicle. Coming from a time when mass was attended once or more daily, baptism & confession were considered of upmost importance, and eternal salvation gave men courage to face death in battle, Richard abandons his faith when he is basically told that it is outdated with little struggle on his part. The anti-Christian message was a little heavy-handed in this novel, but Richard never defends his faith as one would expect him to. (Wouldn't he accuse those around him of being heretics, not just say, "Oh, people aren't Catholic anymore? Okay.)
It ended up being more disheartening than anything else to observe a powerful, intelligent man be pushed into a boring office job and convinced that Christians were the cause of the Holocaust. Richard meets a woman and instantly falls in love and wants to marry her, despite the fact that love is not what marriage would have been based on in his time and other characteristics of this woman make her someone that I wouldn't have expected the true Richard to admire. It is as though he quickly leaves behind everything that he was and forms himself into what he is told a 21st century man should be. The novel winds up being more of a contemporary romance than historical fiction.
I still have high hopes for the sequel which is rated better and appears to give us another glance into the past, a place where I hope Richard can become himself again.
April 15, 2011
A very Ricardian look at Richard III as a person and not just as a historical figure and how he might react to suddenly being thrust into 21st century American life.
It was a fairly quick read as it was only a couple hundred pages (in eBook form). There was just something about the book that I couldn't quite get into, and I think it was the CONSTANT eating and talking about food, there was at least one reference every couple pages if not more. I found the initial plot to be intriguing, and the time travel aspect did not bother me as much as I thought it might (time travel is one of my least favorite plot devices).
I am awaiting the sequel and I am hopeful it will pick up where This Time left off.
I would give the book 3.5 stars as 3 seems too few yet 4 seems to many, unfortunately I don't have that option and thusly I will be giving it 3.
* I have a slight amendment to m review: I bought and read this book because I spoke with the author and she was going to send me a review copy of the book that is the sequel, however after reading my review of the first book, she send me an email stating she didn't agree with my review and therefore would not be sending me the copy. I am not going to change the content of my review or my rating because that isn't fair to the book, but I just thought others should know if they ever deal with this author.
It was a fairly quick read as it was only a couple hundred pages (in eBook form). There was just something about the book that I couldn't quite get into, and I think it was the CONSTANT eating and talking about food, there was at least one reference every couple pages if not more. I found the initial plot to be intriguing, and the time travel aspect did not bother me as much as I thought it might (time travel is one of my least favorite plot devices).
I am awaiting the sequel and I am hopeful it will pick up where This Time left off.
I would give the book 3.5 stars as 3 seems too few yet 4 seems to many, unfortunately I don't have that option and thusly I will be giving it 3.
* I have a slight amendment to m review: I bought and read this book because I spoke with the author and she was going to send me a review copy of the book that is the sequel, however after reading my review of the first book, she send me an email stating she didn't agree with my review and therefore would not be sending me the copy. I am not going to change the content of my review or my rating because that isn't fair to the book, but I just thought others should know if they ever deal with this author.
September 24, 2024
I really, really wanted to love this one. The premise was right up my alley and about one of my favourite historical people. But, unfortunately, it didn't go to plan.
The book started very well (part 1) - so good that I couldn't put it down but then ... everything was glossed over too easily and every problem solved instantly. Everything was rushed as well time wise. For example, within a month or so he was ready to marry. Now I'm all for romance but wouldn't he still be adjusting to his new life??? Also, I might have believed the romance if it had been executed better. It seemed to happen in about 10 pages!!
The dialogue also felt wrong. Richard could get away with that being 500 years behind but the modern characters' language was just "off".
I also noticed plot errors, one minute something would be said or done then a few pages further it would be stated that the action/thing had not or it would be done again.
One more thing I've just remembered. Why did Richard not want to go home? Back to England even just to see what it's like? Maybe he just used Google Earth.
I think I'm a very "forgiving" reader and I would not normally be so nit-picky. Maybe it's my disappointment writing this? I have already bought the sequel and I will read it. I just hope that book number 2 will flow better.
The book started very well (part 1) - so good that I couldn't put it down but then ... everything was glossed over too easily and every problem solved instantly. Everything was rushed as well time wise. For example, within a month or so he was ready to marry. Now I'm all for romance but wouldn't he still be adjusting to his new life??? Also, I might have believed the romance if it had been executed better. It seemed to happen in about 10 pages!!
The dialogue also felt wrong. Richard could get away with that being 500 years behind but the modern characters' language was just "off".
I also noticed plot errors, one minute something would be said or done then a few pages further it would be stated that the action/thing had not or it would be done again.
One more thing I've just remembered. Why did Richard not want to go home? Back to England even just to see what it's like? Maybe he just used Google Earth.
I think I'm a very "forgiving" reader and I would not normally be so nit-picky. Maybe it's my disappointment writing this? I have already bought the sequel and I will read it. I just hope that book number 2 will flow better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2013
What I liked: The author here has a really interesting premise. Bring back Richard III moments before he is killed on Bosworth Field to the present time in order to clear up some mysteries (mainly the two princes in the tower). How original! And I kept reading (and want to read the sequel) even with the problems I had with it.....
What I disliked: Events and relationships progressed unbelievably fast! A little too fast...I mean, yes, she probably didn't want to write a Penman-sized book but come on. Really??? A divorced woman moves to a new town with her two kids and almost immediately introduces her kids to Richard because they are "in love." Let's not forget the fact that she met him all of two days ago! (I may be exaggerating but the time factor really is that ridiculous when it comes to exploring relationships between Richard and others.)
Overall, I did keep reading. I wanted to find out if Richard would succeed in bringing his son to the present. As I said previously, I would like to read the sequel in order to see what life continues to bring for King Richard III in the 21st century.
What I disliked: Events and relationships progressed unbelievably fast! A little too fast...I mean, yes, she probably didn't want to write a Penman-sized book but come on. Really??? A divorced woman moves to a new town with her two kids and almost immediately introduces her kids to Richard because they are "in love." Let's not forget the fact that she met him all of two days ago! (I may be exaggerating but the time factor really is that ridiculous when it comes to exploring relationships between Richard and others.)
Overall, I did keep reading. I wanted to find out if Richard would succeed in bringing his son to the present. As I said previously, I would like to read the sequel in order to see what life continues to bring for King Richard III in the 21st century.
May 7, 2014
I have to agree with others who rate this book poorly for its sloppy writing.
I love the idea - I read most anything about Richard III and I love time travel stories, so this should be the perfect combination.
Sadly,the author makes the reader roll their eyes with the silliness of the decisions the characters make and how readily Richard adapts to 21st Century life and modern American language - within a day or so of being in the 21st C she hands him the TV remote and says:
'Why don't you play with this and see what's on the other channels while I fix us some dessert'
and he promptly channel surfs without a moment's pause.
Also on day one or so, he is told that a gun 'fired a tranquilizer dart that was calibrated to pierce the armor and deliver a sedative to you' and he understands and accepts this, no problemos.
Are there no editors in publishing houses anymore? Why are good, fun ideas allowed to be rushed through and published without a bit of editing to remove the worst of the sloppiness in plot and writing??
I didn't hate this book, but it's for only dedicated Ricardians willing to put up with a lot of silliness to indulge themselves with another story about Rochard
I love the idea - I read most anything about Richard III and I love time travel stories, so this should be the perfect combination.
Sadly,the author makes the reader roll their eyes with the silliness of the decisions the characters make and how readily Richard adapts to 21st Century life and modern American language - within a day or so of being in the 21st C she hands him the TV remote and says:
'Why don't you play with this and see what's on the other channels while I fix us some dessert'
and he promptly channel surfs without a moment's pause.
Also on day one or so, he is told that a gun 'fired a tranquilizer dart that was calibrated to pierce the armor and deliver a sedative to you' and he understands and accepts this, no problemos.
Are there no editors in publishing houses anymore? Why are good, fun ideas allowed to be rushed through and published without a bit of editing to remove the worst of the sloppiness in plot and writing??
I didn't hate this book, but it's for only dedicated Ricardians willing to put up with a lot of silliness to indulge themselves with another story about Rochard
November 2, 2010
Loved the idea. not so thrilled about where we ended up going. And totally not convinced by some of the time-frames. The inclusion of a love story in the book annoyed the pants off me, but I think I can understand at least part of the author's motivation for including it. Sadly, for me it did bring a saccharine flavour to the prose.
At times I struggled to keep reading, putting the book aside for several months at one point, and had to force myself to read the last 50 pages. But all in all it is an interesting idea, and I dare say I shall read the follow-up at some point.
At times I struggled to keep reading, putting the book aside for several months at one point, and had to force myself to read the last 50 pages. But all in all it is an interesting idea, and I dare say I shall read the follow-up at some point.
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