Official Review: Taking Time by Mike Murphey
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- inaramid
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Official Review: Taking Time by Mike Murphey
Time travel is typically just a means to an end in many books or films. The story often goes like this: something in the past needs to be changed in order to stop a future catastrophe, so the protagonist leaps through time using technological, magical, or even psychological means. It’s a trope by now, albeit one that continues to captivate the human imagination. Then Mike Murphey came along and put his irreverent spin on things.
Taking Time: A Tale of Physics, Lust and Greed is exactly as advertised. In 2044, socially inept Marshall Grissom joins a project that aims to send human beings through time. It's not just about being chucked into a fancy machine decked with spotlights and a periscope. Instead, travelers are projected into their own bodies, where they share the consciousness of their past selves. Murphey further breaks down the physics for us. Only organic matter can be projected, not equipment or devices or even clothes. In other words, full-frontal nudity is a must for travelers.
This is nothing for gorgeous Sheila Schuler and self-assured Marta Hamilton, the other chosen travelers. But for Marshall, who gets involuntarily “excited” at the sight of his stark-naked companions, it’s a recurring source of humiliation. Conniving investors also interfere with the project, threatening the scientists’ integrity and calling into question the moral implications of messing around with time. When the schemes turn to murder, who is Marshall supposed to trust?
Taking Time puts the mechanics of time travel front and center, showcasing what’s possible within the laws of physics yet explaining matters in a very accessible way. The process sounds plausible and scientifically sound, with Murphey devoting a fair amount of the narrative setting up the parameters of this historic breakthrough. This could have easily become tedious or overwhelming, but Murphey’s writing is just effortless. It’s easy to get swept away into the story, as the characters hurtle headlong into strange universes while dealing with ethical dilemmas, psychological trauma, and murderous enemies hiding in plain sight.
The plot still defaults to the “fix-it” element of time travel — or as Murphey says in the foreword, “the opportunity to do it over, do it better, make the correct choice rather than the wrong one.” But the tone also starts to shift, as Murphey raises the stakes and reminds readers that each action (or the lack of it) has consequences. Ultimately, no one is safe, and the focus and development many characters receive ensure that any loss is going to resonate. The female characters, in particular, are remarkable for their spirit, grit, and agency in moving the plot forward. They’re comfortable with their sexuality too, giving rise to some rather risqué situations and one intense (but non-pornographic) sex scene. Considering also the casual use of profanity and a running gag involving a literal "monster dick," this book is meant for mature readers only.
I rate Taking Time 3 out of 4 stars. A perfect score would have been fitting, were it not for several errors (e.g., misspelled names, misused words, etc.) littered throughout the pages. Fortunately, they don't detract from the flow of the story. This is still a brisk, absorbing read, and I'm excited for the next two books in the series. Taking Time is right up the alley of any sci-fi reader who can appreciate/forgive the occasional dick joke, as Murphey invites everyone to question where scientists should draw the line and what happens when they cross it.
******
Taking Time
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- NetMassimo
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Massimo
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Thanks for an interesting review
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I think the author has a great team behind him, so that won't be a problem. Thanks for dropping by!NetMassimo wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 10:23 I like time travel stories that are well done, so I'm interested in this one, hoping that the author will do another round of proofreading. Thank you for your great review!
Thanks for your comment. The errors are not bad, just that the number exceeds 10. Don't let that deter you!
I did find the ethical discussion very interesting in terms of whether humans should, as you said, "push the boundaries of science" or let some things be. Thanks for your comment!Wyzdomania_Gskillz wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 11:13 Crossing the lines and pushing the boundaries of science can always be fun to experience.... Something that would be lovely to enjoy in this book.
Thanks for an interesting review
Nice one.Samwisekoop wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 11:43 This sounds like a new "tasting" time travel book! Looks appealing. However, I probably won't read it due to its profanity. Thanks for a refreshing review!
This is a good one, I think. Hope you get to check it out!Phelicia Gloria wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 13:22 Have been looking for such novels, hope this will meet my expectations. Thanks for the great review.
Thanks for commenting anyway!FEislandqueen13 wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 19:24 this book has a nice plot but I won't read it because I'm not comfortable with the mature content. nice review.
It's something I have rarely seen for sure. Thanks for dropping by!Frances019 wrote: ↑04 Jun 2020, 22:14 It looks like the author put a new spin on time travel. Not sure it's up my alley though. Great review nonetheless!
I've read/watched the same time-travel concept in some fanfiction/movies, though the process is more magical/supernatural than scientific. One strength of the book is I believed that if/when scientists finally cracked time travel, it would be like how the author described it. The focus on the repercussions of the process - especially the psychological burden it placed on the travelers - is also a huge plus. Thanks for commenting!Jachike Samuelson wrote: ↑05 Jun 2020, 02:23 I think this is the first time travel story I've come across that does not transport the subject back into time as a fully separate entity. The idea of transporting the person's consciousness back into their body in the past is definitely a different approach. I'd like to see how the author manages to explain that. Great review.
It was a worthwhile read! Thanks for dropping by!
It was one of the most believable descriptions of time travel I have ever encountered. Thank you for reading my review!
- Awesomeliker
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The errors are easily fixable - there are no issues with continuity or POV or anything like that. Thanks for commenting!Awesomeliker wrote: ↑05 Jun 2020, 09:49 The book seems interesting. If it was better edited this could have been amazing. Great review!!
I've always been fascinated by time travel, and I'm glad to read a well-thought-out concept like this. Do give the book a try.