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Twice upon a Time
A tale of time travel and spiritual adventure, where a father travels back in time to save his son's life. He soon discovers that to save his son's life is murder.
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 7, 2011
I loved this book. In some ways it could be considered the 'Back to the Future' of Christian Fiction, but that's not entirely accurate as it didn't have the comedic tone of that movie. This was a fantastic adventure about a man whose son is accidentally erased from history when his friend travels into the past. The protagonist's quest starts as a search to identify how this change occurred. This in itself is a satisfying mystery. Next, he much travel back in time to correct the damage.
The whole 'damage to the timeline' premise has become a little old hat over the years, but this was a very good implementation of the idea. The ending should make sense to those familiar with time travel concepts.
The story also stands up well as an example of Christian Fiction. During his time-travel adventure, the protagonist embarks on an unexpected journey of faith.
This is one of the few books that I have read multiple times. It might be time for ago go soon.
The whole 'damage to the timeline' premise has become a little old hat over the years, but this was a very good implementation of the idea. The ending should make sense to those familiar with time travel concepts.
The story also stands up well as an example of Christian Fiction. During his time-travel adventure, the protagonist embarks on an unexpected journey of faith.
This is one of the few books that I have read multiple times. It might be time for ago go soon.
September 1, 2012
This is one of those books I could read again and again and again. My parents bought it at a Christian book store and I just hope for the opportunity to see it on the shelves so I can buy my own copy. This is a story of self discovery, time travel and righting a wrong to restore his family and his faith. Great novel, great concept and well written
December 28, 2024
I like time travel books, and the historical stuff was interesting. But I found it very hard to relate to the main character. I suppose he was intentionally portrayed negatively, to show how much his life needed to be changed by Christ, but it was hard to find anything to like about him. Even his desire to get his son back seemed to be more a plot device than an emotional connection to his son because it told very little about his relationship with his son or stuff they used to do together. I won't say the book seemed just like a way to include an evangelistic message the way some Christian novels do, but it had a little of that feel to it, especially with the stuff about the Baby Boomer museum that was supposedly being planned. I'm a Boomer, and I've never heard people express any kind of desire to memorialize our generation, let alone create a gigantic building like that. It only made sense in the book in terms of its symbolism to show the main character how it was like the Tower of Babel.
The story was interesting enough that by the end I didn't exactly dislike the book anymore, but on the whole I was disappointed in it. Even the conversion story seemed kind of flat. He just somehow found himself agreeing to pray this prayer, and then he's back to finishing with his time travel trip.
The story was interesting enough that by the end I didn't exactly dislike the book anymore, but on the whole I was disappointed in it. Even the conversion story seemed kind of flat. He just somehow found himself agreeing to pray this prayer, and then he's back to finishing with his time travel trip.
March 1, 2019
Absolutly loved this book! Started out as a 'regular' time travel story. Many twists and turns as Mike tries to un-do the damage another time-traveler has done. Turned into a book of faith (for me)
June 18, 2015
I bought this book because of its similarity (in initial premise) to Chrono Cross and I was looking for a Christian view of time travel. However, this book delves very little into that aspect, and really is not overly preachy even for a "Christian" novel.
The book starts out in kind of a silly way, in fact it's not a terribly believable set up. It's like one of Fred Flintstone's get rich quick schemes that never work, yet everyone goes along for the ride anyways. Other not so good elements are the narrator's propensity for exaggeration cliches and a not very deep look into the subject matter or implications of what's being done. Major tasks and moral dilemmas are presented but not really dealt with. Of course, given what needs to be done, and why, the narrator's personal needs likely justify his actions in his own mind at least.
The good parts of the novel, would be that the author seems to have done his research as the 1901 time period was portrayed vividly, and the details surrounding the McKinley assanation make for a compelling story. I applaud the author for the parts of the novel that are set in the past, it was a great historical novel in its own right. It's a great way to learn some history without too much effort and it was fun too. How else would I have learned of Leon Czolgsz? Certainly not in public school!
Despite the fact that I would have liked to see more theological introspection and thought on the moral implications of the narrator's chief task - really this book should have managed those parts better - this is a good introduction for those new to time travel fiction, or young adult readers.
I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for a deep look into the theological and moral implications of time travel, or if you expect alot from a time travel novel. But if you want a decent, well researched historical adventure novel, this is a very good read.
Kind of TV movie of time travel books.
3.5 - 4 stars depending on my mood.
The book starts out in kind of a silly way, in fact it's not a terribly believable set up. It's like one of Fred Flintstone's get rich quick schemes that never work, yet everyone goes along for the ride anyways. Other not so good elements are the narrator's propensity for exaggeration cliches and a not very deep look into the subject matter or implications of what's being done. Major tasks and moral dilemmas are presented but not really dealt with. Of course, given what needs to be done, and why, the narrator's personal needs likely justify his actions in his own mind at least.
The good parts of the novel, would be that the author seems to have done his research as the 1901 time period was portrayed vividly, and the details surrounding the McKinley assanation make for a compelling story. I applaud the author for the parts of the novel that are set in the past, it was a great historical novel in its own right. It's a great way to learn some history without too much effort and it was fun too. How else would I have learned of Leon Czolgsz? Certainly not in public school!
Despite the fact that I would have liked to see more theological introspection and thought on the moral implications of the narrator's chief task - really this book should have managed those parts better - this is a good introduction for those new to time travel fiction, or young adult readers.
I wouldn't recommend it if you are looking for a deep look into the theological and moral implications of time travel, or if you expect alot from a time travel novel. But if you want a decent, well researched historical adventure novel, this is a very good read.
Kind of TV movie of time travel books.
3.5 - 4 stars depending on my mood.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews