Here Today

by John Coates

Written in 1949, this might be the earliest Jane Austen time travel fandom novel. Under the impression that time is a fifth dimension, Sandy is able to travel through time without the use of any machine other than his own brain. When Sandy shares that he once proposed to Jane Austen, his friend doesn't know whether to believe him or have him committed.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1949

About the author

John Coates was born in 1912 into a Yorkshire engineering family. He went to Haileybury and then read English at Cambridge, where he spent most of his time acting and writing plays and became President of Footlights.

See: Persephone Books

Reviews

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4🌟, but I actually might give it 4.5🌟 in the future. I found this book at an antiquarian book store in New Hampshire and I only bought it because it was an author I was considering reading. John Coates wrote a book titled ‘Patience’ that was re-released by my favorite publisher, Persephone Books and is waiting on my shelves to be read.

When I got home and noticed that this story had something to do with Jane Austen, I was very excited and decided to keep it to read for Jane Austen July.

Now that I’ve read it, I realize that it has very little to do with Jane Austen at all. It’s about time travel, but not in a sci-fi sort of way. It’s philosophical with positively one of the most satisfying endings I’ve ever encountered.

The first third of the book was interesting and fun, the second section slogged a bit until 3/4 of the way though (and I almost put it down for good), but the last quarter was amazing! At that point, it was hard to put down for any length of time.

I knew that this book was a keeper when I finished the last page with tears in my eyes. Definitely adding to my reread pile. It’s difficult to describe this book about Peter and his wife Eleanor, Sandy (his brother-in-law) and his wife Charmain, Betty (Peter’s secretary) and their family - you just have to read it yourself. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Now, I’m looking forward to reading ‘Patience’ even more!

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this dusty little gem! Written in 1949, I stumbled upon it doing research into the history of Jane Austen Fandom. I believe it may be the first time a "modern" character travels back and meets Austen, let alone proposes! However, the story is so much more than that. It opens with the narrator's best friend sharing that he is able to travel through time. Not only has he meet Austen, but travelled to many other times and places throughout history. Is he crazy, or is his story real? The Austen section is only a small part of his story. The effects his experiences in Egyptian, Mesopatanian, Mayan, European, and New England times have on his persent situation craft a comedic, insightful, and brilliant mess of a story. The conclusion was perfection with every loose end knitted together into a marvelous creation. I wouldn't merely call this novel sci-fi/fantasy, but a philosophical treatise on the nature of time and love.