Time and Again buddy read

[Sara, New School Classics]

Oh, Candi, I just assumed you went there frequently for some reason. I have only visited once, and of course, there was MUCH I did not see. But, like you, I have been there myriad times in books and movies and documentaries, so it has a familiar feeling.

In chapter nine, which I just finished, I thought this was terribly funny, (view spoiler)[he catches a hansom cab and asks the driver if he can make it in 30 mins. The driver replies, "The way traffic is nowadays, it gets worse every day, you never know anymore. We'll try it: straight down Fifth to the square shouldn't be too bad yet, this time of day. Then over to Bradway, and miss the damned El..." But as the roof panel slid shut I was smiling; however different, New York wasn't really changed." (hide spoiler)]

[Candi]

Sara, it's a real shame that I don't go there more often! It's about a 5 hour drive for me. I've been more inclined to go to Toronto because it's closer to me actually. So I get my big city fix there :)

[Anne]

Sara, that line in your spoiler cracked me up too.

[Lori]

Through Chapter 8 and Sara’s spoiler: (view spoiler)[ Sara: Thanks for the history of the Dakota, I meant to look that up but ran out of time. I needed reminding of why the name was so familiar to me.

I’m loving this so far and I do love the way traveling through time is achieved. Reminds me of the movie “Somewhere in Time” where moving through time is made possible via self-hypnosis. The mystery of the letter adds to the fascination.

I didn’t expect Katie to show up. She adds to the tension as I’m left wondering if she will have a strong emotional reaction when she sees who shows up at the post office. (hide spoiler)]

[Connie]

I also wondered why The Dakotas name seemed so familiar. Thank you, Sara, for the (view spoiler)[ John Lennon connection. (hide spoiler)]

I finished Chapter 8, and enjoyed reading about Central Park. The story is drawing me in, and I'm wondering if (view spoiler)[ Katie's family history will be impacted when they reach their destination. (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

I'm a little confused and hoping someone can explain this to me. Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ They follow their man and he catches the cab, then they see the imprint of the tombstone. But, what does it mean? What put the imprint in the snow?

"Almost matter-of-factly Kate murmured, "It's impossible." She looked up at me. "It's impossible!" she said again, her voice suddenly angry, and I knew what she felt; this was so far from any sensible explanation that it made you mad, and I nodded."

Why is she mad? What does the symbol mean? I read this section several times and it still doesn't mean anything to me. Am I the only one confused? Perhaps it is a reveal we will get later, but I am left with the feeling that I have missed something crucial.

Oh, and by the way, I am assuming the man is Andrew Carmody...do I at least have that right? (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

Candi, I made that mistake everyone makes about New York, unless they live there. We all think everyone in New York lives near New York City. I had a dorm mate in college from Upper New York, Schenectady, I think. She would get livid because, to quote her, "Everybody down here is stupid. They think New York means New York City." I can see why you don't go often, five hours is a decent drive!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lori, I was reminded of Somewhere in Time as well.

[Anne]

Sara wrote: "I'm a little confused and hoping someone can explain this to me. Chapter 10 They follow their man and he catches the cab, then they see the imprint of the tombstone. But, what does it mean? What p..."

(view spoiler)[.Sara, I was also confused when I first read that part and thought I had missed something. Maybe I did, but I think this might have been written a bit better, somehow, so that the reader knows there is more to come instead of thinking they missed something. But having finished the book I now know that we are meant to be confused early on and must wait for revelations later. Ditto whether the man is Andrew Carmody (unless I missed something earlier in the text) (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

Thanks, Anne. So, I will keep reading. LOL. I have three books going at one time (very unusual for me and not something that adds to the enjoyment of any of them), so I kept thinking maybe I had missed something significant and would have to start back-tracking trying to find it!

I am promising myself not to over-commit ever again...let's see how long that lasts.

[Anne]

Sara wrote: "Thanks, Anne. So, I will keep reading. LOL. I have three books going at one time (very unusual for me and not something that adds to the enjoyment of any of them), so I kept thinking maybe I had mi..."

Yes, let's see how long that lasts. LOL

[Lori]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[ The cab driver was my favorite part of this chapter! I also loved the comment about traffic, it made me laugh. What a shock that driver would have if Si and Katie could show him the future! Lol! (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lori: (view spoiler)[ We never stop to think how much chaos there would have been, though, with no traffic lights and horses maybe going wherever they please or being spooked. Not to mention the condition of the streets with all those horses doing their business. (hide spoiler)]

[Lori]

Sara: (view spoiler)[ Yes, that’s very true, in fact I recently read this about “The streets of New York in the nineteenth century” ...”Much of the muck followed from the still-unavoidable reliance on horses—forty thousand of them, who each working day generated some four hundred tons of manure, twenty thousand gallons of urine, and almost two hundred carcasses....” Thomas Sowell. (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

Takes all the romance right out of a horse-drawn sleigh or carriage, doesn't it?

[Lori]

Yeah, we had a buggy tour of Charleston once with a horse that took a lot of unscheduled stops.......

[Lori]

In regard to Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[ I also found that passage confusing and had to read through that scene a couple of times. As to the impression in the snow, I was thinking it was on the bottom of the man’s shoe and he left the mark in the snow while waiting for a bus or cab.

The man said home was “Nineteen Gramercy Park” but Carmody’s address was 589 Fifth Avenue however he was wearing a diamond ring which suggests wealth. It’s very intriguing. I will be happy to learn more as we move forward. (hide spoiler)]

[Candi]

Oh, I am lagging again! Ha! I've had a rough week with some stuff going on with my mother. I'll likely fall quite a bit behind and I apologize for that. I will just read when I can and open the spoilers that are always so well marked :)

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lori: (view spoiler)[Ah, I didn't catch that address thing. Still anxious to get the skinny on the emblem that ends up on the grave. (hide spoiler)]

Candi: We have to grab reading time when we can, which isn't always when we want it. I only read one chapter today and tomorrow looks tight, so you will catch up to me in a flash.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Through Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[Oh my, now there has been a consequence of this experiment. But, I knew Si would not be able to just observe. Who could? Something terrible is about to happen and I appreciated his reasoning that the lives of these people matter as much as the lives of the 20th Century people. In fact, great observation on his part that things 20th Century people do affect the possible lives of people in the future. Risk comes with living.

I'm still anxious to find out what the symbol on the grave means. This is stacking up to be one of my favorite time travel stories. AND, the illustrations and photos are marvelous!!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Lori]

Sara: I’ve only read through Chapter 12 so I can’t open your spoiler yet. I hope to read this afternoon.

[Anne]

Sara wrote: "Through Chapter 17: Oh my, now there has been a consequence of this experiment. But, I knew Si would not be able to just observe. Who could? Something terrible is about to happen and I appreciated ..."

Listening to audio I don't get the photos tho I did look a lot up online. So glad you are enjoying this book. It is so funny to have finished the book and to watch you guys read and wonder about the earlier chapters. I actually didn't realize how long it would take for everyone to read this book. I might have slowed myself down so that I could enjoy along with you.

[Anne]

: (view spoiler)[
I reread chapter 17 to see where you are. It really makes a point about the differences between the haves and the have-nots.

I enjoyed .the sleigh ride thru the city with many other sleighs nearby, singing jingle bells, really feels like a wonderful time . I never knew that just the arm of the arm of the Statue of Liberty existed at 5th and 42nd. I looked this up and found the following:

"With the wrist reaching treetops and rooftops, and the flame high enough to see for many blocks, the Arm of Liberty became a long-standing advertisement for the statue from 1876-1882. "

I was really moved by the conversation he has with the man who works on the "bus" on the outside holding reins of the horse who spends over 14 hours a day freezing so that he could make a minimal wage to feed his kids. They don't even get to sit down in case they fall asleep as one driver did. He talks about having little to thank God for; living in misery, like so many. He learns about the "hay barges" where orphans sleep.

Also, throughout the novel Finney is obsessed with perspective and how things look. He constantly has people using pictures and cameras, taking pictures, drawing portraits, looking at pictures and talking about changing perspectives. Like the way the perspective of a visitor to a city changes after spending a certain amount of time in a city - the shops and people are sort of unreal at first and then the place and people become more real.

(hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

Anne: (view spoiler)[ This was a great chapter. There are so many points in this novel where Si describes something and then offers the photograph to back it up. There are the sketches he makes, particularly the one of Julia. I wish you had had access to them while you were reading. It gives a whole other dimension.

I really love the moments where he engages with the people, and the cab driver you mention is one of the best. Lest we forget that these were both simpler, but also harder, times; and class distinction was really severe, so that a gentleman led a carefree life, while a laborer like the cab driver led such a very hard and joyless one. (hide spoiler)]

I also wish you were reading with us, but you can still contribute, as you just did!

[Sara, New School Classics]

Lori: I am at that point in the book where there just isn't any putting it down. I think the trip from Chapter 12 to Chapter 17 is a short one because events start to move much faster.

[Anne]

Sara wrote: "Lori: I am at that point in the book where there just isn't any putting it down. I think the trip from Chapter 12 to Chapter 17 is a short one because events start to move much faster."

That's what happened to me, :)). Enjoy.

[Sara, New School Classics]

Oooooh, I finished. How good was that!

(view spoiler)[I felt my heart rate rise during the fire. For some reason I kept thinking about watching the Twin Towers come down. Watching the people jump and fall to escape this fire and knowing that the fire itself was real (although the circumstances were not).

Government lived up to my opinion of it. I was pretty sure they would get to some sinister agenda before they finished, and that desire for power and the absolutely arrogant belief that you know more than God, let alone the mere people who came before you, seemed sadly real to me.

And, of course, I loved the way Si and Julia's relationship progressed, the switch between Jake and Carmody, and the last lovely twist, were all surprises. Having the end truly surprise you in a book of this kind is rare...so it gets high marks from me. And it was sheer fun. Most fun I have had with a book in a long time. (hide spoiler)]

[Anne]

Sara wrote: "Oooooh, I finished. How good was that!

VERY GOOD!!

(view spoiler)[. .I had all of the same feelings and thoughts about the fire and the government. I also loved that Si and Julia ended up together. But that ending was the coolest move and the coolest ending! NO? So smooth. Now you know why I finished it so quickly. (hide spoiler)]. I think there were a few places, especially in the earlier parts where some editing could have made the story move more quickly. But that's my only criticism. So glad you loved it; not that I had any doubts.

[Lori]

I just finished Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[ I very much enjoyed the sight-seeing tour of old New York. I learned quite a bit too. I had not read about the time ball before but I could really picture all those men with their watches standing along Broadway!

I’m afraid Si is smitten with the lovely Julia which is going to make things even more interesting. I can’t wait to continue! (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

I loved the elaborate descriptions, Anne. If I were editing, I'm not sure what I would remove that wouldn't ultimately hurt the story. It was a fun ride!

Lori: (view spoiler)[Oh, yes, the men with all their watches was so visual. It felt like you were watching instead of reading about them. Don't you love the way the story builds? (hide spoiler)]

[Candi]

I'm through Chapter 8. (view spoiler)[Love reading even the descriptions of the clothing of this time period. I agree that The Dakota is a great landmark to include in the story. When I'm finally able to reschedule my trip to NYC, I'll have to take a peek - and a picture! (hide spoiler)]

[Anne]

Lori and Sara,

(view spoiler)[.I just loved the 19th C version of the ball dropping on in Times Square on New Years Eve. That was fantastic with all the men comparing their watches. (hide spoiler)]

Sara, maybe it was a function of listening on audio and not having the pictures. I didn't note which places lagged. But I loved it. Don't get me wrong. Going back to my city but in the 1880s was fantastic, along with all the other aspects which you wrote in your review.

Lori,, don't read Sara's review yet.

[Anne]

Candi wrote: "I'm through Chapter 8. [spoilers removed]"

Candi, the clothing plays many roles in the story besides just the descriptions. Does the book have illustrations of the clothing?

Sara (view spoiler)[... Wasn't it adorable when Is and Julia were back at the Dakota and he goes at to get her clothing and she tries them on and is still wearing her bloomers under her short skirt? I don't blame her for not wanting to expose her legs so quickly. She got used to so much about the 20th C. so easily. (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

Candi wrote: "I'm through Chapter 8. [spoilers removed]"

I felt the same. All the descriptions helped take you there. I will be wanting to see your photographs when you take them. :)

[Sara, New School Classics]

Anne - the illustrations of the clothing are mostly just part of the overall scenes, but he does included illustrations of individuals he sees, full length and in the dress of the time.

(view spoiler)[Yes, that was one of the passages that made me laugh. I could just see her standing there with the bloomers poking out. And, it was so realistic, because she would not be able to grasp that level of undress immediately. (hide spoiler)]

I read the blurbs for the sequel and some commentary and I think this was a one-off and I will not read the sequel. Also, I had no idea this man also wrote The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Interesting.

[Lori]

Candi, I agree with you one hundred percent! (view spoiler)[ Si’s reaction to the clothing was interesting as well. Though I shouldn’t be surprised because my hubby loves the gowns that I wear to the Renaissance Festival! (hide spoiler)]

[Lori]

Sara: I see what you mean and I regret having to set this aside tonight. I’m through Chapter 14 and it’s really moving along.

[Kathleen]

Wow--you all or so fast! I'm reading a little every night, but only on Chapter 7. Looking forward to eventually reading all the spoilers. :-)

Bob, and anyone else who comes late, if you get your book and want to join the discussion, I will still be here!

[Sara, New School Classics]

I was reading fairly slowly, Kathleen, and then I reached a point and I just couldn't stop. lol. Hopefully Bob shows up again soon. I'll still be watching for your thoughts.

[Candi]

Kathleen, I'm only about one chapter ahead of you!

[Franky]

I'm about at chapter 16 right now. I'm trying to read about 20 or 30 pages a night, slow and steady. I have some thoughts about some things in the book but I think I'll wait a bit (my mind is reeling over the work week, so I need to think clearer).. Over all, it's a quite enjoyable ride so far and I'm loving the feeling that this book gives about time and possibilities. It has a sort of enchanting kind of tone that I find fun in fantasy (it reminds me a little of something in the vein of the short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty in its mood/vibe as far as fantasy).

[Anne]

Sara wrote: "Anne - the illustrations of the clothing are mostly just part of the overall scenes, but he does included illustrations of individuals he sees, full length and in the dress of the time.

[spoilers ..."

Yeah, it's too bad that the sequel doesn't have good reviews. It would have been so great to have a good follow up.
I will see if my library had the book, just to look at the illustrations.

[Lori]

Through Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[ I have been thinking that Si might have already influenced Julia’s life decisions by stay at the boarding house. I remember that she hadn’t accepted Jake’s offer and I am not so sure she would have if Si had never been there. Jake went out and tattooed Julia’s name on his chest after Si made him jealous. After that, they became engaged but I feel like Si triggered those events. Was Julia guilted into accepting Jake’s proposal? What if Julia really wasn’t supposed to marry Jake? Oh dear, I better keep reading! (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

Laughing at you, Lori: (view spoiler)[ Yep, you have reached the part where all the questions start swirling through your head and you start guessing where this is going. Let me know if you imagined anything like where it goes from here. (hide spoiler)]

[Connie]

I found that I could not put the book down once I reached the second half of the story which was much more fast paced. Simon had such a sense of wonder as he explored old New York that I was caught up in his enthusiasm. He also had a good sense of the strengths and difficulties of living in both time periods.

I thought that some of the rides through NYC in the beginning had too much description for most readers. Otherwise, the story was a great combination of time-travel, mystery, romance, and history.

[Sara, New School Classics]

I agree, Connie, the pace was very different in the second half. I guess the first half was just laying foundation and couldn't speed because the action was to come later.

(view spoiler)[I think the intense descriptions in the first half were also foundation. When they were running from Byrnes, we knew where they were and the hand of the statue of liberty made sense when he remembered it being there. (hide spoiler)]

[Connie]

I loved the use of (view spoiler)[ the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom. They were "liberated" by the iconic statue from being thrown into prison. I remember visiting the statue when I was a child, and being surprised at its huge size. (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, New School Classics]

(view spoiler)[ Yes, that was a marvelous bit of history used perfectly in the plot. I think the first time the size of it dawned on me was when I was a child and read somewhere about people climbing the stairs inside and how many flights it was to the top. I have never seen it. :(

I have however climbed to the absolute top of the Washington Monument and looked out over D.C. That is another thrilling experience. (hide spoiler)]

[Anne]

I never knew until reading this book that NYC only had the arm of the statue for several years. After that the full statue was set up on a little island which if off of the island of Manhattan. One must take a ferry to get to it. The best view of it is from Lower Manhattan or from the air. (view spoiler)[.. So it was the arm of the statue which was right in the city that saved them from being caught and taken to prison. (hide spoiler)]

[Connie]

I've been to DC four times, and each time the Washington Monument was surrounded by scaffolding, and we couldn't climb the stairs. It must have been a great view!