Book Review: About Time by Jack Finney

About Time: 12 Short Stories by Jack Finney

• Print Length: 226 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone (November 12, 2013)
• Publication Date: November 12, 2013
• Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00AK9IXLO

  
  

  My Rating:

 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 

 

The Book Blurb:

 

About Time offers a delightful return to the world of time travel and light comedy that distinguished Jack Finney’s all-time classic Time and Again. The protagonists of these twelve stories are well-meaning but at odds with their surroundings and their lives. The time to which they escape—through time travel—doesn’t always fulfill their expectations in the way they had hoped, but sometimes, they can still find their dreams.

 

About the Author:

 

Maybe you have heard of Jack Finney as the writer of the successful book The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. He wrote beautifully descriptive science fiction in the late fifties and sixties. He wrote books about time travel that today are just as exciting and intriguing as they were when first published. Jack Finney (1911–1995) was the author of the much-loved and critically acclaimed novel Time and Again, as well as its sequel, From Time to Time. Best known for his thrillers and science fiction, a number of his books—including Invasion of the Body Snatchers—have been made into movies.

 

 

My Review:

 

 

This book has all the best stories by Jack Finney. Some are time travel and some are just lovely stories that capture your heart. Each of the stories I carry with me since I first read this book in the 1970’s. Thankfully the short story The Third Level is included in this book. I wanted to share each story with you, so this is a list of the twelve.

• The Third Level (1950)
• I Love Galesburg in the Springtime (1962)
• Such Interesting Neighbors (1951)
• The Coin Collector (1960)
• Of Missing Persons (1955)
• Lunch-Hour Magic (1962)
• Where the Cluetts Are (1962)
• The Face in the Photo (1962)
• I’m Scared (1951)
• Home Alone (1961)
• Second Chance (1956)
• Hey, Look at Me! (1962)

In the story about the Cluetts, we find a couple that built their dream house. A Victorian House that they treat as authentic in every way. It is beautifully written and made me want one too. Each story has a beauty to it. the simpler times aspect. Of Missing Persons is another favorite. You understand how people choose to stay or go. It makes you question yourself. Would I chicken out? Would I go? Trust me, I have asked myself that so many times, and each time I choose differently. It is a strong story that resonates with me. The third Level takes us into an odd encounter which once again left me wondering if I could walk away from the discovery. That is one of the reasons that Jack Finney is an absolute favorite Author of mine, he makes me ask myself the hard questions. Most of the stories have the theme of time travel. That being said, the story of the lunch hour shopping trip where the protagonist scores a pair of x-ray glasses is a clever piece that kept me laughing. I find this book to be a whirlwind of emotions. Yet, I always leave it with a feeling of longing. I want to experience several events that are mentioned in the twelve. Can’t I just have one?

 

Recommendation

There are twelve stories in this compilation all written by this one brilliant writer. Everyone owes it to themselves to read it at least once and see if the witty, charismatic writing style of Jack Finney draws you in as well. I have provided all my own children with a copy of this book and they loved it. I first read The Third Level in the late sixties I was only twelve yet I fell in love with time Travel. It might explain why when I found A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux it became my favorite romance. I can honestly recommend that everyone give it a shot.

 

Where to Find: About Time:

 

About Time can be found in Paperback, Kindle, and Nook by clicking the links provided below.

| Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Google Play |

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