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Literary Friday: The Map of Time

Friday, September 9, 2011

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This week, I read The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma.  I did not accomplish much of anything else this week because the book is over 600 pages, and I could not put it down!

This is a very difficult post for me to write because I do not want to give away any spoilers.  If you choose to read this book, try not to read any reviews because you do not want a single plot point in advance of reading this amazing book.  I would like to give you a very loose idea of what the book is about so you will at least be interested in it.  The setting is Victorian London during the fall of 1888 where:  Jack the Ripper is killing prostitutes in Whitechapel,  a maniac is trying to steal unpublished manuscripts written by H.G. Wells,  Bram Stoker, and Henry James, and London's wealthy are obsessed with the possibility of time travel.  With his obvious "knowledge" on the subject based on his popular novel, The Time Machine, H.G. Wells is the apparent go-to guy as the time travel expert. Can his expertise alter history and perhaps even save lives?

The Map of Time is broken down into three books, and each of the three stories are intertwined. The way that Palma weaves these three stories together is genius, and there are so many twists and turns in the plot it exhausted me.  There are elements of steampunk, romance, literary history (H.G. Wells is a main character), suspense, and science fiction.  There is also an omniscient narrator who interrupts the narration from time to time to interject his point of view (which he claims to be infallible), and to move the plot forward so the reader won't get bored during a long, exhausting carriage ride, as an example.  I like him, and his role is a little deeper than that of narrator, too {pay attention}.  

I do want to warn you that the beginning of the book focuses on Jack the Ripper, and it is a bit graphic.  I almost stopped reading the book because I found the plot sensational and completely improbable.  I am happy I continued reading because it was so worth it.  The ending is a bit tedious, but it made sense, and it is so creative and unique.  Now that I have finished the book, I want to read what critics think about it. I think it is a brilliant book, and it will probably make my Best Three Books of 2011 list.

Don't forget that Bonnie and I host a What We're Reading Linky Party the twentieth of each month. Won't you join us?

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill


8 comments

  1. I'm ready for a new book. This sounds good!

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  2. I like the sound of it. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. I only read the first part of your post...I would REALLY love to read this and I don't want to know any more! Sounds amazing! ♥ I love a nice long book...wish I had it to read today! I don't feel very good! ♥

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  4. My son Matt has this book. I will have to get it from him when he is done. You make is sound so good!

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  5. Oh this book was on last months book list at Katherines Corner. It's still on my personal list, big Hugs!!!! Darn I hope i remember to link up on the 12th :-)

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  6. oops I mean the 20th. Grabbed the button for my hop page as a reminder

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  7. Oh I can't wait to read this! Thanks for sharing! Chris

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  8. Wow...such high praise. Think I can read it at night by myself? I might be TOO CHICKEN.

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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