November 2021: A Shortcut In Time

[Nancy]

A Shortcut in Time


Euclid Heights, Illinois, is a town of many shortcuts, between houses, through orchards, and across fields. Josh Winkler, a local artist and longtime resident, knows these irregular pathways well, but he is flabbergasted when a hasty dash down a familiar walk deposits him fifteen minutes in the past. At first, Josh is more intrigued than alarmed by this accidental time travel. Then a disoriented young woman appears, claiming to be from 1908....

As his life, his family, his town, and even history itself begin to unravel, Josh gradually realizes that his only salvation may lie in a shortcut in time.

Charles Dickinson has written a moving and unforgettable book about the way the past can affect the present, as well as, sometimes, the other way around.

Discussion opens November 1. Remember to try and post spoilers behind spoiler tags since every one joins in at different times.

[Nancy]

My library doesn’t have this one so I will probably be sitting this one out.

[Cheryl]

I placed an ILL but I don't know how long it will take to get here. And I am not excited for it, to be honest. I'll try to be optimistic!

So, who voted for it, and why?

[Samantha]

My library doesn't have it either.

[Cheryl]

Ok, I got lucky and got it quickly. And it's engaging, so I'm done already. But I sure hope someone else reads it cuz I got questions! ;)

Mostly related to why the MC was such a loser....
(view spoiler)[Why wasn't his first thought that he should figure out how TT works so he can rescue his brother (and Vaughan) from the pool? (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[Why is he so heedless of his wife, who after all is supporting his art hobby? (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[Why does he tell everyone what's going on, no discretion? (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[Why can't the first Ketch have a HEA? Or the 'new' Flo be a doctor? (hide spoiler)]

[Nancy]

I hope some else reads it too! I know other people voted for it.

[Jeff]

Cheryl wrote: "Ok, I got lucky and got it quickly. And it's engaging, so I'm done already. But I sure hope someone else reads it cuz I got questions! ;)

Mostly related to why the MC was such a loser....
[spoiler..."

have read it over and over and over

[Lizz]

So, I posted this in the wrong place! I will copy it here and delete it there.

I finished it and it was really a good premise. Kind of hoped for a different ending...or an actual ending? Anyway, I liked the premise which felt original to me without being too science-y. It was interesting how different the wives were from each other. Looking forward to more discussion. Thank you to whoever recommended this book. I don't think I would have picked it up on my own.

[Irinel]

Lizz wrote: "So, I posted this in the wrong place! I will copy it here and delete it there.

I finished it and it was really a good premise. Kind of hoped for a different ending...or an actual ending? Anyway, ..."

I recommended because it was one of my favorites. The author actually wrote a sequel, called A family in time, and it continues the story of Josh and his daughter.

[Lizz]

Did you read the sequel? Does it start where the first one abruptly ended?

[Jeff]

Lizz wrote: "Did you read the sequel? Does it start where the first one abruptly ended?"

from what I hear the sequel was terrible

[Nancy]

Cheryl has a lot of questions posted on her spoiler tags. Anyone up to sneering them for her?

[Jeff]

Did anyone read Timegate? It's definitely time travel, starts out in the 2040s, in Nazi-occupied America. the US lost the war after German spies stole plans for the bomb in the 1940s. One man is tasked with going back and changing history. Can he do it?

[Lizz]

When the book started I thought the same thing Cheryl did. (view spoiler)[ Why didn't he go back in time and get there before the bully/psychopath? However, the travel seems sort of random with where you end up I think. And the event was changed when he returned from the past. Was there a way to control the TT that I didn't pick up on? (hide spoiler)]

[Lizz]

Jeff, that does sound interesting.

[Lizz]

With Cheryl's third spoiler (view spoiler)[I think he was just one of those people that couldn't get out of their own way. It was almost like it made him special and he told everyone because it proved his worth. I also was reading it and thinking wow this can't be good. (hide spoiler)]

[Lizz]

Cheryl's second spoiler (view spoiler)[ that entire family dynamic seemed like an unhealthy relationship. She supported him in his artistic endeavors and yet was resentful of his "career". I found it interesting how the first wife was so resistant to TT (maybe she had a sixth sense about the dangers of it?) and yet the second wife was understanding. (hide spoiler)]

[Jeff]

Lizz wrote: "Cheryl's second spoiler [spoilers removed]"

Everytime I read, can't help but wondering about the paradoxes created when someone went back in time or when a person from past comes to the present

[Jeff]

Lizz wrote: "Cheryl's second spoiler [spoilers removed]"

what so many people miss is that the past in this book is during last pandemic, people wore masks

[Cheryl]

Sure, I noticed the masks. But I'm not sure how that's relevant to a deeper understanding of the work?

Thank you Lizz for your insights!

[Jeff]

you have to understand, I bought this book years ago and read it many times, but not until my recent read did I realize that it was taking place during the last major pandemic...death seems to be closer to the people, disposal of bodies different

[Cheryl]

fair enough...