As the global energy crisis of the 21st century wears on, James Lendeman searches for answers – both for the country and for himself.
Working in the Federal Energy Department for the iconoclastic and enigmatic Kate Hastings, James is at the center of a world of political intrigue and personal conflicts. Unsure of whether he can go along with Kate’s plans for the country (and for him), he is forced to steer his own way through a maze of personal and professional problems.
When we meet James a few years later (through an ingenious weaving of dual timelines), he is in Savannah, working as a contractor for the government and debating the merits of a flirtatious college student who lives in his boarding house.
Nimbly moving forward and backward through James’s personal timeline, Of Time and Place leads its readers on a journey through the twists and turns of life in a kind of historical novel of the future. From a tumultuous romance and marriage to a romantic spring in Florence and the adversities along the way, James finds himself debating both his own life and the feasibility of maintaining a viable US economy in the mid-21st century.
Drawn from very real issues of global import, and playing out in some of the most storied cities in the world, Of Time and Place will leave every reader pondering the future – and the present.
First of all, this is a long book, but it is not a hard read. Don't let the length of the book deter you from reading it. You just might pass up a gem of a story. I honestly did not even find that reading the book was a chore even though it did not capture my attention as much as other books. And my inability to fully connect with the story and the characters is not the fault of the author. You know how it is--some stories just aren't one's forte.
This book did cause me a bit of confusion at first. It is written in the future, but it also jumps back and forth between dates. The saving grace is that each chapter has a date and location that starts it off. This was pure genius on the part of the author. If you get lost, at least you know you have a "safety net."
I did appreciate the view that the author took on energy conservation and the issues that may be faced in the future. I sometimes felt that the book was a little "soft" when it came to the future. Sometimes it felt that things were too similar to today, and the fact that freedom of religion is still promised in the future seemed rather strange. I guess because I feel that things will be worse than what the book portrayed. But I could be very wrong.
The author's writing style was good enough. There were many references to sex and some mild scenes. There was some profanity, but it was not rampant. I could have done without either. I only wished I could have cared more about the characters in the story. And I felt that the last few chapters were quite rushed and covered way too many years. Again, just a personal preference.
One message the book does teach is that life is precious, and it should not be taken lightly. Also, in one moment, your entire life can change. All good things to remember. It is a good idea to live today as if it may be your last (because it may be). If you are looking for a futuristic book without violence, this may be the book for you.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
B.R. Freemont was born in New York and has lived in the Savannah area for over a decade. He holds a B.A. from Columbia and an M.A. from New York University. During his business career, Freemont filled a number of management assignments and briefly worked for government entities.
Ruth, thanks for tackling a thicker book. Glad you enjoyed B.R.'s story!
ReplyDelete