By the Chapter, Day 3 | Somewhere In Time by Richard Matheson
Welcome to By the Chapter. This week’s featured book is Somewhere In Time by Richard Matheson. I’d like to thank Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves for sharing hosting duties with me this week.
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If you’re not familiar with Somewhere In Time here’s a little background:
Somewhere in Time is the powerful story of a love that transcends time and space, written by one of the Grand Masters of modern fantasy.
Matheson’s classic novel tells the moving, romantic story of a modern man whose love for a woman he has never met draws him back in time to a luxury hotel in San Diego in 1896, where he finds his soul mate in the form of a celebrated actress of the previous century. Somewhere in Time won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, and the 1979 movie version, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, remains a cult classic.
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So when I first started this book I wasn’t much taken with the narrative style. The 1st person narration isn’t what bothered me, what threw me off was the short, choppy, staccato sentences. In Part One Richard was recording his thoughts instead of telling a story. And it was taking forever to make headway in the plot line. But once we got 1896 where he meets Elise, the woman he has convinced himself he’s in love with from seeing her picture, this story picked up and turned into something I really ended up enjoying. Richard encounters many obstacles in his journey to 1896. Not only must he adapt his clothing, speech, and mannerisms to this era but he must convince Elise that they are each other’s destiny. This is a love story that burns intensely hot and fast. For a short time Richard lives the life of his dreams, loving the woman he was meant share his life with. I wanted so much for their story to have a happy ending knowing that it wasn’t going to be. After having finished this book I can understand why it was award winner. I’d recommend this story to anyone who enjoys time travel novels with a romantic twist of fate.
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If you’ve read, or are currently reading, Somewhere In Time please share your thoughts with us.
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This week’s reading scheduling:
Monday: The Printed Page
Wednesday: Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves
Friday: The Printed Page/Elizabeth from As usual, I need more bookshelves
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I’m glad you ended up enjoying it. I thought it got SO much better once he made it to 1896. However, I wasn’t that emotionally involved with the love story – I did think the time travel bits were fascinating, though. Thanks for letting me host with you once again! =)
This is one of my all time sappy favorite movies, and I’ve always wanted to read the book. You’ve inspired me, I’ve got to get to the bookstore this week!
I have an award for you on my blog.
http://nevernotreading.blogspot.com/2009/07/blushing-and-busy-weekend.html