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Return to Sender
Rumfeld Dixon, CEO of Dyna-Tyme Genetics, is convinced that the United States is on a destructive course of action. With Federal policies fueled by corporate greed and corrupt political decisions, he sees no hope for economic recovery in the foreseeable future. Fortunately, Dyna-Tyme Genetics has developed a unique method to send a human back in time. Carleton Venable's familial ties to the Civil War make him the perfect candidate to travel to 1862 and make changes that will affect the outcome of the war and transform the American way of life. Even knowing he shouldn't get caught up in Rummy's scheme to change the outcome of past events, his father's gambling has put the family farm in jeopardy, leaving him no choice. Besides, his lifelong interest in time travel was just too enticing to pass up this once in a lifetime mission. Some intensive training and a simple injection is all it takes to send him back 150 years. Arriving safely, events begin to transpire as planned... for a while. It is only then that things start to go wrong... horribly wrong! Will he be able to save the American way of life he loves in the present... in the past?
- GenresTime Travel
322 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2015
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 17, 2019
NOTE: I was given this book in return for an honest review.
WARNING: Spoiler Alert! This review contains spoilers. If you plan on reading this book, I recommend you skip this review.
Where to start? In my opinion, the basic premise of RETURN TO SENDER is flawed. The scientists are changing Carleton’s DNA. They’re not physically transporting him anywhere (as you see in THE TIME MACHINE). Messing with his DNA might give him cancer, or cure him of it, but it wouldn’t transport his entire body through time. Yes, I understand this is science fiction, but in order for any fantasy to work it must be based on a somewhat believable conceit—in other words, given certain conditions, the basic plot could happen—and this simply isn’t true with SENDER.
However, I will say that apart from the methodology used by Mr. Holmes for time travel, the concept of the story is fascinating, and that was what kept me reading. I understand his desire to find an approach to time travel that hasn’t been used before, but this simply doesn’t work.
I noticed right off that Mr. Holmes makes several amateurish mistakes. The most bothersome is his use of multiple POVs within a chapter. Multiple POVs are often utilized by writers like George R. R. Martin, but they only use one POV within a chapter. Mr. Martin even goes so far as to name a chapter after the character who is the focus of that chapter. The reason for this is simple. One POV is subjective and allows the reader to be drawn into a scene, whereas the use of multiple POVs is objective, and makes the reader feel like they’re simply observing a story.
As I progressed through SENDER, several issues stood out. For example, Carleton was worried about how he would explain his absence, but he wasn’t worried about how he would explain where he suddenly acquired a million dollars. Also, the subplot about the gangsters was amateurish, unnecessary, and ridiculous. And the idea that Carleton was willing to change (and perhaps harm) history to repay a poker debt was ridiculous and hurt him as a character.
NOTE: I noticed several typos throughout the manuscript. For example, when we first meet Angela Thompson, the description reads, “Her was hair parted in the middle.”
The other amateurish mistake Mr. Holmes makes is that he continually tells us what we should understand about his characters rather than showing us. Readers want to figure out things for themselves. That is what keeps them engaged. And spoon feeding exposition is a basic writing mistake.
Also, it took far too long to get Carleton into the past. And some of the exposition about how they were prepping him for his journey was repeated, adding to my frustration. Readers of time travel books want to get to the time travel.
When we meet the Stackers, once again Mr. Holmes tells us what they’re like rather than showing us through their dialog and actions. Yes, they end up doing some horrific things, but not until we’ve already been told what evil creatures they are. This takes the reader right out of the story.
Mr. Holmes’ description of the fight with the Black Horse Troopers was poorly thought through and unbelievable. In a real fight, Carleton would’ve been killed several times over.
LOGIC QUESTION: If Carleton changed history and Special Order 191 never happened, how did Rummy know? Also, why is it so critical that Carleton accomplish his goals the first time he goes back? If he messes up, why can’t he simply return to the past again and fix it?
And finally, the moralizing at the end of the novel goes on too long, and the loose ends are tied up too easily. Therefore, if you’re searching for a good time travel novel, I would recommend you look elsewhere.
WARNING: Spoiler Alert! This review contains spoilers. If you plan on reading this book, I recommend you skip this review.
Where to start? In my opinion, the basic premise of RETURN TO SENDER is flawed. The scientists are changing Carleton’s DNA. They’re not physically transporting him anywhere (as you see in THE TIME MACHINE). Messing with his DNA might give him cancer, or cure him of it, but it wouldn’t transport his entire body through time. Yes, I understand this is science fiction, but in order for any fantasy to work it must be based on a somewhat believable conceit—in other words, given certain conditions, the basic plot could happen—and this simply isn’t true with SENDER.
However, I will say that apart from the methodology used by Mr. Holmes for time travel, the concept of the story is fascinating, and that was what kept me reading. I understand his desire to find an approach to time travel that hasn’t been used before, but this simply doesn’t work.
I noticed right off that Mr. Holmes makes several amateurish mistakes. The most bothersome is his use of multiple POVs within a chapter. Multiple POVs are often utilized by writers like George R. R. Martin, but they only use one POV within a chapter. Mr. Martin even goes so far as to name a chapter after the character who is the focus of that chapter. The reason for this is simple. One POV is subjective and allows the reader to be drawn into a scene, whereas the use of multiple POVs is objective, and makes the reader feel like they’re simply observing a story.
As I progressed through SENDER, several issues stood out. For example, Carleton was worried about how he would explain his absence, but he wasn’t worried about how he would explain where he suddenly acquired a million dollars. Also, the subplot about the gangsters was amateurish, unnecessary, and ridiculous. And the idea that Carleton was willing to change (and perhaps harm) history to repay a poker debt was ridiculous and hurt him as a character.
NOTE: I noticed several typos throughout the manuscript. For example, when we first meet Angela Thompson, the description reads, “Her was hair parted in the middle.”
The other amateurish mistake Mr. Holmes makes is that he continually tells us what we should understand about his characters rather than showing us. Readers want to figure out things for themselves. That is what keeps them engaged. And spoon feeding exposition is a basic writing mistake.
Also, it took far too long to get Carleton into the past. And some of the exposition about how they were prepping him for his journey was repeated, adding to my frustration. Readers of time travel books want to get to the time travel.
When we meet the Stackers, once again Mr. Holmes tells us what they’re like rather than showing us through their dialog and actions. Yes, they end up doing some horrific things, but not until we’ve already been told what evil creatures they are. This takes the reader right out of the story.
Mr. Holmes’ description of the fight with the Black Horse Troopers was poorly thought through and unbelievable. In a real fight, Carleton would’ve been killed several times over.
LOGIC QUESTION: If Carleton changed history and Special Order 191 never happened, how did Rummy know? Also, why is it so critical that Carleton accomplish his goals the first time he goes back? If he messes up, why can’t he simply return to the past again and fix it?
And finally, the moralizing at the end of the novel goes on too long, and the loose ends are tied up too easily. Therefore, if you’re searching for a good time travel novel, I would recommend you look elsewhere.
May 13, 2019
Fred Holmes’ Return to Sender uses time travel to explore ideas of alternate American histories contingent upon who wins the Civil War. How one views the book depends upon a number of factors – one’s ethnic background, one’s view of American history, one’s affinity for white southern culture, and the time frame that one chooses to read the book.
I won’t speak too much about the action due to the risk of spoilers. Suffice to say that as a time – travel story it has all of the usual vulnerabilities. What is the mechanism of time travel? How does changing minor parts of the past alter the future? How do people feel about the possibility of slipping into non-existence, and so on. Holmes touches on these acceptably well; that he does so at all sets him apart from some authors. Readers must be forgiving of technicalities for all time travel stories.
One main character is a major apologist for the slave owners, and he speaks so eloquently from center stage at times, that it becomes hard to tell how much of his view the book might embody! The character proposes that many lives would have been saved if the South had decisively won the Civil War. Slavery would have ended on its own:
"Certainly slavery was evil and wrong, but I believe that had the South won the war, slavery would have been phased out with the blacks receiving education and a far better chance at achieving equality than they received in the economically crushed South."
in light of how many southerners still think that Earth and life were created in 144 hours, this line of reasoning seems a bit preposterous. Facts, rational discourse, and moral philosophy frequently come up short as tools for changing attitudes. One hopes that Holmes’, himself does not take the notion of populist progress too seriously! Certainly, the Johnson Administration could have made improvements, but the characters’ propositions are absurd, plain and simple. “Return to Sender” was copyrighted in 2015, our current Embarrassment that serves as America’s head of state had yet to test the credibility of the presence of moral values required for eventual, voluntary emancipation. If contemporary history is anything to go by, there are no progressive forces in the South capable of challenging the top 1% either in the 19th or the 21st centuries.
Of course, Holmes has other characters who counter the main villain’s notions, but one comes away feeling uncertain if there is any notion sufficiently non-utilitarian to be genuinely moral among the cast of characters. The occasional Dixie – nostalgia can disturb a person’s sensibilities as well. See the following:
“In 1798, George Carter acquired nearly 3500 acres of prime farmland. Its prosperity peaked by the time of the Civil War when it was tended by over a hundred slaves. In present time, the plantation was reduced to 260 acres and designated a National Historic Landmark with a roadside marker. But in 1862, it still was thriving."
Thriving how and for whom?
In fairness to Holmes, this critic is from the only state not to vote for Nixon, and a person who would not be heartbroken if said state seceded from the Union in 2019. I get agitated easily. Holmes poses some food for thought. The book would make an interesting conversation starter in an academic sense.
I won’t speak too much about the action due to the risk of spoilers. Suffice to say that as a time – travel story it has all of the usual vulnerabilities. What is the mechanism of time travel? How does changing minor parts of the past alter the future? How do people feel about the possibility of slipping into non-existence, and so on. Holmes touches on these acceptably well; that he does so at all sets him apart from some authors. Readers must be forgiving of technicalities for all time travel stories.
One main character is a major apologist for the slave owners, and he speaks so eloquently from center stage at times, that it becomes hard to tell how much of his view the book might embody! The character proposes that many lives would have been saved if the South had decisively won the Civil War. Slavery would have ended on its own:
"Certainly slavery was evil and wrong, but I believe that had the South won the war, slavery would have been phased out with the blacks receiving education and a far better chance at achieving equality than they received in the economically crushed South."
in light of how many southerners still think that Earth and life were created in 144 hours, this line of reasoning seems a bit preposterous. Facts, rational discourse, and moral philosophy frequently come up short as tools for changing attitudes. One hopes that Holmes’, himself does not take the notion of populist progress too seriously! Certainly, the Johnson Administration could have made improvements, but the characters’ propositions are absurd, plain and simple. “Return to Sender” was copyrighted in 2015, our current Embarrassment that serves as America’s head of state had yet to test the credibility of the presence of moral values required for eventual, voluntary emancipation. If contemporary history is anything to go by, there are no progressive forces in the South capable of challenging the top 1% either in the 19th or the 21st centuries.
Of course, Holmes has other characters who counter the main villain’s notions, but one comes away feeling uncertain if there is any notion sufficiently non-utilitarian to be genuinely moral among the cast of characters. The occasional Dixie – nostalgia can disturb a person’s sensibilities as well. See the following:
“In 1798, George Carter acquired nearly 3500 acres of prime farmland. Its prosperity peaked by the time of the Civil War when it was tended by over a hundred slaves. In present time, the plantation was reduced to 260 acres and designated a National Historic Landmark with a roadside marker. But in 1862, it still was thriving."
Thriving how and for whom?
In fairness to Holmes, this critic is from the only state not to vote for Nixon, and a person who would not be heartbroken if said state seceded from the Union in 2019. I get agitated easily. Holmes poses some food for thought. The book would make an interesting conversation starter in an academic sense.
February 23, 2018
A fast read, with some great twists and turns! There are very good alternative-history scenarios for the civil war, with interesting consequences had the South won the conflict. One of the most annoying fathers in fiction keeps screwing things up for this son, too!
October 18, 2015
Review of ‘Return to Sender’ by Fred H. Holmes
Dyna-Time Genetics, located in the hills of northern Virginia, has made a startling discovery. They’ve unlocked the secret of time travel. So, what will Dyna-Time, and it’s CEO, Rumfeld (Rummy) Dixon, do with this newfound knowledge?
Rummy enlists the assistance of Carleton Venable VI in an attempt to change history. He’s devised a plan to send Carleton back to when the Civil War divided the country. Once there, he’s to change just two events. If successful, the Confederacy wins the war, and today’s world is quite different.
At first, Carleton is uncertain, but the money Rummy is offering is tempting. Not knowing Rummy had set some misdeeds into motion to assure his cooperation, Carleton decides he had no choice but to take the challenge.
After a period of intense preparation, Carleton time travels to do part one of the mission. While things didn’t go exactly as planned – he’s abducted by rogue Confederate soldiers, then his present-day girlfriend’s ancestor saves him - he succeeds, and returns to the present. Soon, he returns to the past for the second task. Things don’t go according to plan this time, either.
Was Carleton successful? Did the south win the Civil War?
‘Return to Sender’ is wonderful in so many ways. For one, Author Holmes’ approach to time travel is different. And, his knowledge of war-time life, and the mid-nineteenth century politics, allows for a level of reality not always present in time travel stories. But, the characters made it for me. For example, what Carleton accomplishes – alone and without modern technology – in the past is impressive. I give ‘Return to Sender’ 5-stars, along with a strong recommendation. If you like time travel, I know you’ll enjoy this book.
By Dayna Leigh Cheser, Author
Dyna-Time Genetics, located in the hills of northern Virginia, has made a startling discovery. They’ve unlocked the secret of time travel. So, what will Dyna-Time, and it’s CEO, Rumfeld (Rummy) Dixon, do with this newfound knowledge?
Rummy enlists the assistance of Carleton Venable VI in an attempt to change history. He’s devised a plan to send Carleton back to when the Civil War divided the country. Once there, he’s to change just two events. If successful, the Confederacy wins the war, and today’s world is quite different.
At first, Carleton is uncertain, but the money Rummy is offering is tempting. Not knowing Rummy had set some misdeeds into motion to assure his cooperation, Carleton decides he had no choice but to take the challenge.
After a period of intense preparation, Carleton time travels to do part one of the mission. While things didn’t go exactly as planned – he’s abducted by rogue Confederate soldiers, then his present-day girlfriend’s ancestor saves him - he succeeds, and returns to the present. Soon, he returns to the past for the second task. Things don’t go according to plan this time, either.
Was Carleton successful? Did the south win the Civil War?
‘Return to Sender’ is wonderful in so many ways. For one, Author Holmes’ approach to time travel is different. And, his knowledge of war-time life, and the mid-nineteenth century politics, allows for a level of reality not always present in time travel stories. But, the characters made it for me. For example, what Carleton accomplishes – alone and without modern technology – in the past is impressive. I give ‘Return to Sender’ 5-stars, along with a strong recommendation. If you like time travel, I know you’ll enjoy this book.
By Dayna Leigh Cheser, Author
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews