Review by a_r_egerton -- Timewise by Robert Leet
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a_r_egerton
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Review by a_r_egerton -- Timewise by Robert Leet
[Following is a volunteer review of "Timewise" by Robert Leet.]
Timewise by Robert Leet is a science fiction novel that is more accurately described as a “speculative fiction” novel. It doesn’t involve such standard sci-fi tropes as aliens or space travel. Instead, it concerns a physicist, Dr. Regina Russo, who is studying the nature of time.
Ron Larsen is the protagonist, and he narrates his story in the first person. It does take time to figure out what that story is. At first, it seems like it might be a coming-of-age story, for it starts when Ron is a teenage chess whiz who competes in the local chess matches. He meets Regina at one match and soon develops a crush on her.
Regina, for her part, encourages Ron to develop his mathematic abilities, which gradually become quite impressive. She also tutors him in physics and tries to explain the nature of her research. Some of these explanations do make for difficult reading. While I could understand some of the explanations involving established physics, I had trouble with the ones revolving around Regina’s theories. I did get the gist: Regina and Ron use quantum physics to develop a time machine for predicting the near future.
The relationship between Ron and Regina becomes the main thrust of the book. They are, however, protégé and mentor rather than lovers. While their relationship is platonic, it becomes clear that they have a deep friendship and need each other. I found it refreshing to read about a couple who are not romantically involved with each other.
I disliked the end most, for it seemed to come out of left field. It just felt as if Leet needed a way to end his story. Regina’s actions also did not seem to fit her character.
I also disliked the clumsy subplot with the FBI agent. It felt like Leet was trying to add some conflict to the book. It didn’t help that the FBI agent was driven by a personal vendetta as opposed to anything to do with the time machine.
On the other hand, I most liked the book’s premise. I loved the idea of applying real-world logic to developing a time machine. Such an ambitious project would take years, and Ron’s story covers roughly 15 years. As complicated as the physics were, I understood that constructing a working time machine would require a knowledge of such physics. I also enjoyed Leet’s exploration of the consequences of developing a time machine. It could be used for such mundane purposes as predicting the stock market – or it could be used as a weapon.
I also found it interesting that Leet set his story in the recent past rather than in the future. References to things like Betamax and 386 Intel computers suggest that Ron’s story starts sometime in the 1980s. Later on, he talks about 9/11, which puts the end of his story in the aughts.
Timewise should appeal to science fiction fans who like their sci-fi relatively “hard” or based on actual science. Between the physics discussions and the occasional sex scene, the book is not for children.
I give this book three out of four stars. I loved the premise and the real-world setting of the book. I also enjoyed Ron and Regina’s relationship. On the other hand, I didn’t like the end or the subplot with the FBI agent.
******
Timewise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Timewise by Robert Leet is a science fiction novel that is more accurately described as a “speculative fiction” novel. It doesn’t involve such standard sci-fi tropes as aliens or space travel. Instead, it concerns a physicist, Dr. Regina Russo, who is studying the nature of time.
Ron Larsen is the protagonist, and he narrates his story in the first person. It does take time to figure out what that story is. At first, it seems like it might be a coming-of-age story, for it starts when Ron is a teenage chess whiz who competes in the local chess matches. He meets Regina at one match and soon develops a crush on her.
Regina, for her part, encourages Ron to develop his mathematic abilities, which gradually become quite impressive. She also tutors him in physics and tries to explain the nature of her research. Some of these explanations do make for difficult reading. While I could understand some of the explanations involving established physics, I had trouble with the ones revolving around Regina’s theories. I did get the gist: Regina and Ron use quantum physics to develop a time machine for predicting the near future.
The relationship between Ron and Regina becomes the main thrust of the book. They are, however, protégé and mentor rather than lovers. While their relationship is platonic, it becomes clear that they have a deep friendship and need each other. I found it refreshing to read about a couple who are not romantically involved with each other.
I disliked the end most, for it seemed to come out of left field. It just felt as if Leet needed a way to end his story. Regina’s actions also did not seem to fit her character.
I also disliked the clumsy subplot with the FBI agent. It felt like Leet was trying to add some conflict to the book. It didn’t help that the FBI agent was driven by a personal vendetta as opposed to anything to do with the time machine.
On the other hand, I most liked the book’s premise. I loved the idea of applying real-world logic to developing a time machine. Such an ambitious project would take years, and Ron’s story covers roughly 15 years. As complicated as the physics were, I understood that constructing a working time machine would require a knowledge of such physics. I also enjoyed Leet’s exploration of the consequences of developing a time machine. It could be used for such mundane purposes as predicting the stock market – or it could be used as a weapon.
I also found it interesting that Leet set his story in the recent past rather than in the future. References to things like Betamax and 386 Intel computers suggest that Ron’s story starts sometime in the 1980s. Later on, he talks about 9/11, which puts the end of his story in the aughts.
Timewise should appeal to science fiction fans who like their sci-fi relatively “hard” or based on actual science. Between the physics discussions and the occasional sex scene, the book is not for children.
I give this book three out of four stars. I loved the premise and the real-world setting of the book. I also enjoyed Ron and Regina’s relationship. On the other hand, I didn’t like the end or the subplot with the FBI agent.
******
Timewise
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Kavita Shah
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The cover seems to take the spotlight. The story about time travel is always a wonder. Ron and Regina made a time machine in a 15 year span, that's less time than all of the brains of scientist (present+future) combined will take to make one. Good job writing the review!
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