Lately, my husband has rekindled his interest in reading. While I indulge in a couple of books every week, he has refrained from reading for pleasure for more than a decade. As a history major, his academic journey involved consuming numerous nonfiction volumes, providing valuable knowledge but transforming the act of reading into a more laborious task than a leisurely pursuit. Following his recent successful foray into a historical fiction/mystery novel, he suggested we embark on a joint reading venture. Our chosen book was Michael Crichton's Timeline, a bestselling 1998 novel that seamlessly blends elements of thriller and historical fiction, catering to both of our literary preferences.
In the vast expanse of the relentless Arizona desert, a lost couple stumbles upon a bewildering sight—an individual on the roadside caught in a trance, uttering incomprehensible rhymes, unable to discern his identity or the reason for his presence. Stranded with no means to seek immediate assistance, the compassionate couple places the enigmatic man in the back of their car and rushes him to the nearest hospital. The medical staff, like the good Samaritans, is confounded by his condition; his mental disarray is accompanied by a rapid physical decline. Before the night concludes, he succumbs to his mysterious affliction, leaving unanswered questions surrounding his inexplicable state.
Meanwhile, in France, Professor Johnston and his team of student archaeologists meticulously unearth a medieval city's ruins, progressing carefully to ensure the site's preservation. The pace proves too sluggish for their corporate financiers, whose impatience clashes with the meticulous work of the historians. Balancing historical research with corporate interests becomes nearly impossible, pushing the archaeologists and corporate representatives to their limits. While Professor Johnston embarks on a journey to the financiers' corporate headquarters in an attempt to mend their fraying relationship, his team makes a startling discovery at the excavation site. Soon, the students are also whisked away to the corporate headquarters, where they are introduced to a mysterious technology that promises to revolutionize the study of history through firsthand experience. Although it initially appears as if torn from the pages of science fiction, they will soon discover the very real dangers associated with it.
In its attempt to echo the success of Michael Crichton's classic adventures like Jurassic Park, Timeline incorporates familiar elements, including mysterious technology with promises of scientific advancement and corporate gain. Following a recurring theme in Crichton's work, academics take on the role of heroes tasked with uncovering the truth behind the new technology and highlighting its ethical dilemmas. While this formula made Crichton's previous novels smart, page-turning reads, it falls flat in Timeline.
Despite the surface-level engagement provided by the familiar elements, a closer look reveals that the story lacks the depth and cleverness it aspires to achieve. The characters adhere closely to their prescribed stereotypes, with the villains being overtly evil and the heroes unflinchingly good. While this advances the plot, it fails to create a connection that would make readers invest in the characters. The heroes, in particular, lack depth, making distinguishing between them at various points in the narrative challenging. Even my husband and I found ourselves struggling to keep track of who was who.
While two-dimensional characters can be overlooked if the plot is compelling, Timeline also struggles to effectively utilize its intriguing concept. Numerous narrative threads remain unresolved, and the primary motivation for the heroes' time travel feels contrived, serving more as a means to move characters where the author wants them than as an organic story progression. Despite offering a level of enjoyable escapism, the book ultimately feels unrewarding. While I remain a fan of Crichton's classic works, Timeline, unfortunately, misses the mark.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2024, 22)
Sorry to see that Timeline was more miss than hit for you. I sense a similar theme here as in Jurassic Park, that being: just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Whether that be genetic engineering or the aforementioned mysterious technology (time travel?).
ReplyDeleteEven though this one missed the mark, hooray for your husband initiating a return to reading for pleasure!
You've summarized my reaction perfectly. I could see where the story wanted to go, but it was just never clever enough for me. The one positive -- my husband is reading again!
DeleteThis is one of my brother's favorites, but I've had a hard time getting into it myself. I think, like you, it just might not be right for me.
ReplyDeleteIt was a quick read, but just too many negatives to make this one a hit for me.
DeleteI read this book back when I was in college and I thought it was a fun read, though the quantum science parts interested me more then than the medieval parts. I wonder if I'd still like it now. Sorry you guys didn't enjoy it more.
ReplyDeleteI probably would have enjoyed it more if I read it closer to when it came out. My reading tastes have simply evolved beyond what it was giving.
DeleteMakes sense. That's why I don't reread certain books...I know I've grown past them.
DeleteWell, boo for your buddy read falling short. It sounded promising. Still, how fun that you and your husband are buddy reading. That's great.
ReplyDeleteOur genre preferences rarely overlap, so I was glad to take advantage of this one!
DeleteI haven't read any of this author's books but I have watched some of the movies based on the books. I love the movies though. My mom was the only other person in my family that liked to read and while we never did a buddy read we did like some of the same books and would talk about them.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice having someone to talk through a read with as you read it. I hope we do many more reads together.
DeleteAt least you got to buddy-read together! As for the novel itself, I suspect that most books written in the 80s/90s would be found lacking if read for the first time now - probably less sophisticated and more naive...
ReplyDeleteI'm less convinced that the timing of this one had an impact on my reaction to it more than the actual narrative itself did. Much of what I disliked in this one had to do with the story itself and the structure, not the topic. I actually think that's the best part!
DeleteWas this a movie? or did I try reading it? I truly can not recall now
ReplyDeleteI think this one was made into a movie too!
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