Okay, Curious One. I took the initiative to branch out into my other category here and picked up a novel called Timeline. It is written by none other than the American author everyone has heard of, but may not know it, Michael Crichton. Now, Crichton is most famous for his fiction and science fiction works like Jurassic Park, The 13th Warrior, and the Andromeda Strain, but I wanted to go a bit farther out from them even, and hit up Timeline.
A Thought on Timeline: Book Vs. Movie
Timeline is more of a historical fiction, adventure, drama, time travel genre of book with a bit of science fiction thrown in on occasion. All I have to say is, wow. It was amazing! In 2003 there was a movie made with an all-star cast, which is why I was so excited to finally get a chance to read the book it was based off of. I have always loved the film and I can guarantee that I still love it!
Most people cannot wrap their heads around the fact that if you make a movie based off a 500 page novel and you don’t cut scenes or change anything, you will end up with a 6 hour film that the majority of consumers wouldn’t sit for. I have always loved to note the differences in adaptations and have never had any qualms with what was changed or taken out in order to make a compelling and watch-worthy film that entertains more than a dedicated cult following. But further information regarding this thought of mine can be saved for a later date when I want to talk to you about it in more detail.
Anyways, I loved the book just as much as the film and will certainly read and watch both again when the urge rises.
Expertly Told
I’m gonna start off by saying what a complete jerk Doniger is! Even though it was all explained, I cannot believe that many scientists and real-world people would bow down to such a conniving and egotistical boss. Ugh! I wanted to punch him every time he practiced his speech for his supporters there in the last half of the book and I fully think he got just what he deserved in the final chapter. Jerk.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed the set-up to the majority of Timeline. I typically end up skimming a bit when there is such a lengthy introduction, but the way Crichton mapped it out for you was very well done. You didn’t feel as though you were being dragged through the introduction to a million characters, only to have them discarded in the middle of the story or only mentioned a time or two in passing. There were only a couple important introductions and even though the start of the book was a bit lengthy, it wasn’t overwhelming like so many tend to be. It was expertly told, and I would most likely read each word again the second and even third time reading Timeline.
By the time you were introduced to the main handful of historians and their individual backgrounds, you were definitely primed and ready for the main course of the novel to begin unfolding. You got a quick, private look into the lives of the main five historians which easily led you right into the discovery of the glasses and the note, which then led you into the arms of the Doniger, Kramer, and Gordon at the ITC who led you into the technology that transported them into the middle of the 1300’s.
Reality In Timeline’s Fiction?
I imagine a lot of readers today think that the technology and science used to describe what happened is faulty and not even slightly believable, but when you take into consideration the time it was written and the ability to use your own imagination, I found the world Crichton created for you absolutely amazing. You can’t imagine accuracy in something deemed fiction and have to use your own mind to help the story along. That’s what makes reading such a powerful kind of magic.
I do think that in the beginning there were a few times I was annoyed by the emotions being revisited by the main group of characters, but it was such a fleeting feeling for me that I never got pulled out of the story.
As it turns out, though, when it came to the speech being made by Doniger, I will be honest with you, I totally skimmed a little bit. He was just so self-involved and arrogant that I was extremely put-off by him and didn’t want to waste my time having to read his absurd claims and try to fix what he did wrong. Because of that, I think it might not even be such a bad thing. I mean, if Crichton can get you so worked up about one characters personality that you literally hate and despise him, I think that even though I skimmed those parts, the kudos should still go to Crichton and his storytelling ability.
There were some amazing action moments as well. So many short battles that surprisingly everyone survived. I wish the professor was there more often than he was. It felt like he was continuously moved from location to location, not actually accomplishing anything, other than the other historians having to sneak around and get past multiple soldiers at multiple times. Maybe a bit annoying, but I understand why it was happening.
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It Makes No Sense to Me
Of course, the historians were not informed of all that had happened with the machine and were unaware than someone else from the 20th century could be present in the 1300’s. I thought it was pretty obvious that it was de Ker (Decker) and not Sir Guy, strictly because of the names, but when Marek brought up the language pronunciation thing, I was swayed for maybe the smallest moment. But at the same time, I was pretty certain it was de Ker who was causing so many of their issues. Who knows, maybe if they had known that Decker was potentially there, they would have asked him for help in their mission and because he was totally maniacal, they would have been killed soon after landing, just like their two guides…
At the start of their adventure into fourteenth century France, you got to see them realize what they did right and what they guessed wrong in their discoveries. That was an amazing comparison, because you got to see and further understand what happened during those times. The unnecessary slaughter and evisceration of humans is almost unimaginable. Not to mention the animal abuse that was only barely introduced. It really brings to light how far we as humans have come, even if it doesn’t always seem or feel like we have.
However, the eye-for-an-eye mentality is still much to strong in my opinion. We should not be attacking enemies just because they attacked. That makes no sense. If a world without war is what so many people claim to want, why are we still fighting in this manner? It makes no sense…
Jumping Like Timeline!
Anyways, I know my discussion here seems a bit all over the place. I’m sorry for that. Timeline was just one of those books that gave you the chance to think and reflect and open your eyes further if you are willing to see.
I think this is Crichton’s twelfth novel published under his real name, so I am interested to read at least a couple more of his. His use of diagrams and sketches definitely helps secure the imagery in your mind and I loved that it was included in Timeline. Like I mentioned earlier, he isn’t the first name someone thinks of when you ask for recommendations in Historical Fiction or Adventure, but I definitely think Timeline hit the mark. I would recommend the book for any history buff or even just a hobbyist who is looking to further explore some fiction with historical, science, and technological references on occasion.
I hope all is well in your world this month, Curious One. It’s been a tough year, but our curiosity should never be quelled and silenced. Let me know if you have any suggestions and as always, keep on reading! For me, it’s time for another book…
Check out the author at the following links:
Michael Crichton’s Website
Michael Crichton’s Twitter
Michael Crichton’s Facebook
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