“Time Squared” Book Review

Title: Time Squared

Author: Lesley Krueger; narrated by Helen K. Taylor

Date/year published: 2021

Genre: Magical Realism, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Literary, Romance

Format: Audio book borrowed through Libby app.

Why did I choose to read it: The description was intriguing. I usually enjoy time traveling historical fiction.

Synopsis:

The reader follows Eleanor as she watches, Robin, the man she loves go off to war again, and again, and again; the Napoleonic War, .Boer Wars, First and Second World Wars, Vietnam, and Iraq. Through it all, Eleanor senses there’s something more at play, but everyone, including Robin, tells her this is how it’s always been.

Thoughts:

An interesting look at women’s roles throughout history, I may have been better off reading, rather than listening to this one. The time jumps confused me at first. I found myself thinking, “Wait, what war is this? I thought it was the (fill in the blank) war.” If I had read it, I could have flipped the pages and set myself straight. That being said, once I figured it out, it was easier to follow along.

Part of the confusion while listening, at least for me, was the consistency of the other characters. This was a well written and detailed story in which Eleanor and Robin weren’t the only ones shuffling through time. In each era, Eleanor’s aunt, her friends, and Robin’s family were also present. It was as if they seamlessly stepped from one era to the next without stumbling – the horse became a carriage became a hand cranked automobile, became a gasoline engine car, became a sports car. That sort of thing.

As much as I enjoyed the historical aspect, I was disappointed in the ending. Reading a few other reviews, I don’t think I’m the only one. It felt familiar., like an overdone trope. To be fair, there are some movies/books/TV shows that are so iconic, that anything remotely similar to them will be criticized as a knock-off. Unfortunately, I think that’s where this book struggled, it’s ending felt like part of a franchise.

Would I re-read or recommend it?

Reread? Probably not.

Recommend? If you like historical fiction about women’s roles in society, give it a shot. Just remember, it’s not just an historical fiction story, though. There’s time travel and fantasy elements as well.

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