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Time After Time
A magical love story, inspired by the legend of a woman who vanished from Grand Central Terminal, sweeps readers from the 1920s to World War II and beyond, in the spirit of The Time Traveler’s Wife and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
On a clear December morning in 1937, at the famous gold clock in Grand Central Terminal, Joe Reynolds, a hardworking railroad man from Queens, meets a vibrant young woman who seems mysteriously out of place. Nora Lansing is a Manhattan socialite whose flapper clothing, pearl earrings, and talk of the Roaring Twenties don’t seem to match the bleak mood of Depression-era New York. Captivated by Nora from her first electric touch, Joe despairs when he tries to walk her home and she disappears. Finding her again—and again—will become the focus of his love and his life.
Nora, an aspiring artist and fiercely independent, is shocked to find she’s somehow been trapped, her presence in the terminal governed by rules she cannot fathom. It isn’t until she meets Joe that she begins to understand the effect that time is having on her, and the possible connections to the workings of Grand Central and the solar phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, when the sun rises or sets between the city’s skyscrapers, aligned perfectly with the streets below.
As thousands of visitors pass under the famous celestial blue ceiling each day, Joe and Nora create a life unlike any they could have imagined. With infinite love in a finite space, they take full advantage of the “Terminal City” within a city, dining at the Oyster Bar, visiting the Whispering Gallery, and making a home at the Biltmore Hotel. But when the construction of another landmark threatens their future, Nora and Joe are forced to test the limits of freedom and love.
Delving into Grand Central Terminal’s rich past, Lisa Grunwald crafts a masterful historical novel about a love affair that defies age, class, place, and even time.
On a clear December morning in 1937, at the famous gold clock in Grand Central Terminal, Joe Reynolds, a hardworking railroad man from Queens, meets a vibrant young woman who seems mysteriously out of place. Nora Lansing is a Manhattan socialite whose flapper clothing, pearl earrings, and talk of the Roaring Twenties don’t seem to match the bleak mood of Depression-era New York. Captivated by Nora from her first electric touch, Joe despairs when he tries to walk her home and she disappears. Finding her again—and again—will become the focus of his love and his life.
Nora, an aspiring artist and fiercely independent, is shocked to find she’s somehow been trapped, her presence in the terminal governed by rules she cannot fathom. It isn’t until she meets Joe that she begins to understand the effect that time is having on her, and the possible connections to the workings of Grand Central and the solar phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge, when the sun rises or sets between the city’s skyscrapers, aligned perfectly with the streets below.
As thousands of visitors pass under the famous celestial blue ceiling each day, Joe and Nora create a life unlike any they could have imagined. With infinite love in a finite space, they take full advantage of the “Terminal City” within a city, dining at the Oyster Bar, visiting the Whispering Gallery, and making a home at the Biltmore Hotel. But when the construction of another landmark threatens their future, Nora and Joe are forced to test the limits of freedom and love.
Delving into Grand Central Terminal’s rich past, Lisa Grunwald crafts a masterful historical novel about a love affair that defies age, class, place, and even time.
401 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2019
1700 people are currently reading
20842 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Grunwald
19 books458 followersLisa Grunwald is the author of the novels The Evolution of Annabel Craig, Time After Time, The Irresistible Henry House, Whatever Makes You Happy, New Year's Eve, The Theory of Everything, and Summer. Along with her husband, former Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen J. Adler, she edited the bestselling anthologies The Marriage Book, Women's Letters and Letters of the Century. Grunwald is an occasional essayist and runs a side hustle on Etsy called ProcrastinationArts, where she sells other things she makes with pencils and paper. She lives in New York City.
Photo courtesy of author website.
Photo courtesy of author website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,452 reviews
March 10, 2019
Mahattanhenge, a term popularized by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, is a phenomenon occurring around the time of the summer and winter solstices. The rising or setting sun creates an amazing burst of light framed by Manhattan skyscrapers as the sun rises above or dips below the horizon.
Weather permitting, the brilliant line of light entered the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal through three high arched windows yearly, on or about December 5. The terminal was crowded with onlookers and fellow travelers. Nora Lansing, twenty-three years old, looked overwhelmed and lost in Grand Central Station. No suitcase, no coat, wearing a smudged pale blue dress, she appeared waif-like. She carried French currency in her purse. A chance meeting occurred with Joe Reynolds, a thirty-two year old railroad employee. Joe thought she looked "vivid and exciting" and was thrilled to walk Nora home. Enroute, she disappeared. In 1938, one year later, they happened upon each other again in the terminal. Joe asked, "Don't you ever wear a coat? It was snowing today. And is that your only dress?" Nora said, "This is just my traveling dress. Where I'm traveling from is not important". Nora is a "woman of mystery". Joe is intrigued.
Joe Reynold's world is centered around Grand Central Station. He works as a leverman, pushing and pulling levers connected by underground cables to guide incoming trains into the terminal. Money is tight. Joe lives at the E. 47 St. YMCA. "Everyone I know grew up the day the stock market crashed". Joe however, was a dreamer. He would spin a globe and visualize a trip to wherever his finger landed. One thing was for certain, Joe was smitten. Wanting Nora was"...a constant dominating ache...could be soothed only by her actual touch." How was it possible that she disappeared again?
Joe was perplexed. He had met the love of his life yet he couldn't fathom her sudden appearances and disappearances. Was it possible that the day Joe thought of as the start of his real life was the day Nora's life ended? A visit to the New York Public Library revealed newspaper clippings of a subway accident on December 5, 1925. Eleanor Lansing had died, but had she? As Joe aged, Nora was unaffected by time. She was always twenty-three. Joe and Nora had an "infinite love in a finite space". If they truly loved each other, should they let each other go?
"Time After Time" by Lisa Grunwald was an awesome fairy tale-like love story. The love Nora and Joe shared transcended time, age and social class. I was totally invested in the lives of Nora and Joe. I slept less and read more! This was a very captivating literary novel of historical fiction I highly recommend.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group-Random House and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Time After Time".
Weather permitting, the brilliant line of light entered the Main Concourse of Grand Central Terminal through three high arched windows yearly, on or about December 5. The terminal was crowded with onlookers and fellow travelers. Nora Lansing, twenty-three years old, looked overwhelmed and lost in Grand Central Station. No suitcase, no coat, wearing a smudged pale blue dress, she appeared waif-like. She carried French currency in her purse. A chance meeting occurred with Joe Reynolds, a thirty-two year old railroad employee. Joe thought she looked "vivid and exciting" and was thrilled to walk Nora home. Enroute, she disappeared. In 1938, one year later, they happened upon each other again in the terminal. Joe asked, "Don't you ever wear a coat? It was snowing today. And is that your only dress?" Nora said, "This is just my traveling dress. Where I'm traveling from is not important". Nora is a "woman of mystery". Joe is intrigued.
Joe Reynold's world is centered around Grand Central Station. He works as a leverman, pushing and pulling levers connected by underground cables to guide incoming trains into the terminal. Money is tight. Joe lives at the E. 47 St. YMCA. "Everyone I know grew up the day the stock market crashed". Joe however, was a dreamer. He would spin a globe and visualize a trip to wherever his finger landed. One thing was for certain, Joe was smitten. Wanting Nora was"...a constant dominating ache...could be soothed only by her actual touch." How was it possible that she disappeared again?
Joe was perplexed. He had met the love of his life yet he couldn't fathom her sudden appearances and disappearances. Was it possible that the day Joe thought of as the start of his real life was the day Nora's life ended? A visit to the New York Public Library revealed newspaper clippings of a subway accident on December 5, 1925. Eleanor Lansing had died, but had she? As Joe aged, Nora was unaffected by time. She was always twenty-three. Joe and Nora had an "infinite love in a finite space". If they truly loved each other, should they let each other go?
"Time After Time" by Lisa Grunwald was an awesome fairy tale-like love story. The love Nora and Joe shared transcended time, age and social class. I was totally invested in the lives of Nora and Joe. I slept less and read more! This was a very captivating literary novel of historical fiction I highly recommend.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group-Random House and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Time After Time".
July 5, 2019
Time After Time is a captivating historical fiction novel with a time travel element. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to Random House for the complimentary copy.
Time After Time is inspired by the legend of a woman who disappeared from Grand Central. It all begins in 1937 when Joe meets a woman named Nora dressed in flapper clothes and talking about the Roaring Twenties. It’s the Depression in NYC, and Nora does not fit in. Joe falls for Nora, and while walking her home, she disappears. From then on, Joe is focused on Nora and everything about her.
Rich in history of NYC and the Grand Central terminal, I was captivated by Nora and Joe’s story. Nora is somehow caught in the terminal with specific rules in place related to “Manhattenhenge.”
Time After Time is a beautiful and complex story of love. It feels a touch like a fairy tale because of the ephemeral qualities. If you are looking for a distinctive novel with strong writing that will whisk you away to a different time, definitely give this one a second look.
My reviews can also be found on my instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Thank you to Random House for the complimentary copy.
Time After Time is inspired by the legend of a woman who disappeared from Grand Central. It all begins in 1937 when Joe meets a woman named Nora dressed in flapper clothes and talking about the Roaring Twenties. It’s the Depression in NYC, and Nora does not fit in. Joe falls for Nora, and while walking her home, she disappears. From then on, Joe is focused on Nora and everything about her.
Rich in history of NYC and the Grand Central terminal, I was captivated by Nora and Joe’s story. Nora is somehow caught in the terminal with specific rules in place related to “Manhattenhenge.”
Time After Time is a beautiful and complex story of love. It feels a touch like a fairy tale because of the ephemeral qualities. If you are looking for a distinctive novel with strong writing that will whisk you away to a different time, definitely give this one a second look.
My reviews can also be found on my instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
May 25, 2019
Time After Time has an interesting premise. Time travel set against the background of the Depression and then World War 2. However, the implementation of this idea fell flat for me. The characters did not feel well developed nor were they likable, and I had a hard time caring about them and their story lines. I particularly was not a fan of the ending. I think this was just not the book for me. I received this book to read and review.
February 26, 2020
I read this last summer, and loved it, and now it's on my mind because I'm about to head back to NYC! If you love stories set in Manhattan, this one may be right up your alley.
Here's the setup: On December 5, 1937, Joe first meets Nora, a beautiful woman who appears out of nowhere in the concourse of Grand Central Terminal. She seems a little disoriented; her dress is endearingly out of style. But she’s witty and warm and fun, and Joe is instantly smitten. There’s just one problem: when Joe tries to walk Nora home, she vanishes, seemingly into thin air. When he calls the number she gave him, well, that’s when things get really strange.
Don’t worry, readers, he’ll see her again, and puzzling out the how, where, and why it’s all
so complicated is half the fun of reading.
This novel inventively combines history, mystery, love story, and Manhattanhenge. (Yes, Manhattanhendge is totally a real thing!)
A must-read for fans of The Time-Traveler’s Wife and The Masterpiece;
with interesting parallels to A Gentleman in Moscow.
Here's the setup: On December 5, 1937, Joe first meets Nora, a beautiful woman who appears out of nowhere in the concourse of Grand Central Terminal. She seems a little disoriented; her dress is endearingly out of style. But she’s witty and warm and fun, and Joe is instantly smitten. There’s just one problem: when Joe tries to walk Nora home, she vanishes, seemingly into thin air. When he calls the number she gave him, well, that’s when things get really strange.
Don’t worry, readers, he’ll see her again, and puzzling out the how, where, and why it’s all
so complicated is half the fun of reading.
This novel inventively combines history, mystery, love story, and Manhattanhenge. (Yes, Manhattanhendge is totally a real thing!)
A must-read for fans of The Time-Traveler’s Wife and The Masterpiece;
with interesting parallels to A Gentleman in Moscow.
April 10, 2019
3.5 Stars
When Joe first sees Nora standing in Grand Central Station, she has no suitcase, or coat even though it was early in the December morning of 1937, barely dawn. She seemed completely out of place, and her clothing seemed from another time. He approaches her, offering assistance, information, whatever help she needs. He’s intrigued. When she tells him where she’s trying to go, Turtle Bay Gardens, he recognizes the neighborhood, as it’s only a few blocks away from the YMCA where he lives, as a significantly more posh area than his own humble dwellings. He offers to escort her home, and along the walk there, she vanishes.
Joe is a leverman at this renowned terminal, and so when a year passes, and the solar event that occurs two mornings every year –where the rising sun lined up exactly with the east-west street grid of Manhattan – he is there to see her return. He’s more intrigued at first than smitten, but it isn’t long before he falls for Nora.
Solving the dilemma of how to continue life this way is a matter of trying to avoid what has failed, and sticking to what they believe will keep Nora in the here and now (or then, as the case is), and with the Biltmore Hotel attached to the terminal, Nora can remain safely there, but there are family duties for Joe that pull him away periodically, and events that, ultimately, affect both of them.
Since this is a book around a time-travel story, I wasn’t expecting everything to line up perfectly, but there were several things in this story that stood out to me and bothered me. Things that, for me, were somewhat blatant in not fitting in the era, and other things that were completely implausible, and not in a time-travel related way. For that reason this fell a bit short of ‘love’ for me, but I did enjoy this, overall. I just didn’t love it.
The Winter Solstice event, Manhattanhenge, that used to occur in the morning hours and bathe Grand Central Station in its light on these fluctuating two mornings a year (weather permitting), is no longer visible in Grand Central Station. Progress - another building was built which blocks the sun’s rays from hitting the window from the east as it did before. And more’s the pity. The Summer Solstice event, Manhattanhenge, is still a significant draw for those looking for a more urban version of Stonehenge, and occurs as the sun sets over to the west. Of course other cities in other states and countries have similar times when the sun’s rays create magic, you just have to look for them.
Pub Date: 11 Jun 2019
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group / Random House
When Joe first sees Nora standing in Grand Central Station, she has no suitcase, or coat even though it was early in the December morning of 1937, barely dawn. She seemed completely out of place, and her clothing seemed from another time. He approaches her, offering assistance, information, whatever help she needs. He’s intrigued. When she tells him where she’s trying to go, Turtle Bay Gardens, he recognizes the neighborhood, as it’s only a few blocks away from the YMCA where he lives, as a significantly more posh area than his own humble dwellings. He offers to escort her home, and along the walk there, she vanishes.
Joe is a leverman at this renowned terminal, and so when a year passes, and the solar event that occurs two mornings every year –where the rising sun lined up exactly with the east-west street grid of Manhattan – he is there to see her return. He’s more intrigued at first than smitten, but it isn’t long before he falls for Nora.
Solving the dilemma of how to continue life this way is a matter of trying to avoid what has failed, and sticking to what they believe will keep Nora in the here and now (or then, as the case is), and with the Biltmore Hotel attached to the terminal, Nora can remain safely there, but there are family duties for Joe that pull him away periodically, and events that, ultimately, affect both of them.
Since this is a book around a time-travel story, I wasn’t expecting everything to line up perfectly, but there were several things in this story that stood out to me and bothered me. Things that, for me, were somewhat blatant in not fitting in the era, and other things that were completely implausible, and not in a time-travel related way. For that reason this fell a bit short of ‘love’ for me, but I did enjoy this, overall. I just didn’t love it.
The Winter Solstice event, Manhattanhenge, that used to occur in the morning hours and bathe Grand Central Station in its light on these fluctuating two mornings a year (weather permitting), is no longer visible in Grand Central Station. Progress - another building was built which blocks the sun’s rays from hitting the window from the east as it did before. And more’s the pity. The Summer Solstice event, Manhattanhenge, is still a significant draw for those looking for a more urban version of Stonehenge, and occurs as the sun sets over to the west. Of course other cities in other states and countries have similar times when the sun’s rays create magic, you just have to look for them.
Pub Date: 11 Jun 2019
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group / Random House
May 24, 2020
Many thanks to Random House for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
"A person without a past is no more alive than a person without a future
Huh. That was unexpectedly emotional. I really didn't go into this expecting to cry. But here we are. I survived.
Time After Time follows Nora, a not quite survivor of a devastating train accident. She doesn't know how or why she came back from death. But when she meets Joe, she knows why she has to stay. Together, Nora and Joe try to figure out what is causing the miracle behind Nora's kind of immortality.
♣ Nora - Nora was my favorite character. Yes, she was the main character but I can still like her. She was sassy, funny and full of energy. It was so fun to follow her through this novel.
♣ Joe - Meh. Joe was very... How to put this... Backstabb-y. At first, I really liked him. But as the book went on and he as he revealed his true colors, I just couldn't be bothered. For instance, And then Yeah, screw Joe.
I absolutely loved the spin the author put on paranormal fantasy. As I said, Nora was killed in a train accident but she comes back. At first, it's unexplained but then the whole science is blown open and
it was just amazing. I loved how this wasn't your average ghosts novel. The fact that is was told from the perspective of the "ghost" was so creative and original!
Of course, I can't write this review without covering the romance between Joe and Nora. To put it simply, I hated it. Mainly because Joe is a piece of sh*t but also because Nora deserved sooooo much better.
Fortunately enough, the romance isn't the main focus of the novel. This book focused mainly on historical fiction. I've said before and I'll say it again; Historical fiction is not my favorite genre. Though it was well done, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed this book as much without the other aspects of fantasy and romance.
Overall, this was a creative and unique spin on historical fiction. Even if you don't like HF, I still recommend this novel. Happy reading!
Bottom Line:
4 stars
Age Rating: [ PG-13 ]
TW: Death
Cover: 3/5 ~ Characters: 4/5 ~ Plot: 4/5 ~ Audio: 3/5
Publication Date:
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
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July 23, 2020
This beautiful love story is set at New York’s Grand Central Terminal, and the setting imbues the story with a truly majestic, timeless feel.
Joe Reynolds is a Grand Central leverman, working the intricate switches that move trains from track to track — the train equivalent of an air traffic controller, essentially. As the story opens, it’s 1937, the Great Depression is still having an impact, and Joe is grateful for a steady job.
Then he meets Nora, a beautiful young woman whose clothing is about ten years out of date. As Nora looks around Grand Central and tries to get her bearings, she and Joe strike up a conversation. Sparks fly, but they have different places to be, and they part. A year later, Joe sees Nora again, and their connection snaps right back into place. She’s wearing the same clothes and seems unchanged in every way. The two spend time together, but when Joe tries to walk her home, she disappears.
Thus begins a romance across time, in which Nora reappears over the years. She and Joe fall deeply in love, and start to unravel the mystery of why Nora continues to return, why she can’t seem to leave Grand Central, and how they can possibly be together when Nora’s reality is so different than Joe’s.
Their love story is set against the backdrop of World War II, as New York and the world change and the young men of the generation head off to war. As a leverman, Joe is considered essential to the war effort and is not allowed to enlist, but all around them, they see soldiers departing — some to return wounded, some never to return. Joe faces increasing challenges balancing his obligations to his brother’s family in Queens and his need to spend every possible moment with Nora.
I started this book thinking I’d be reading a time-travel story, and it’s not that — but I don’t want to say more about what the truth is behind Nora’s appearances and disappearances and her strange tether to Grand Central.
The setting is just so perfect. There’s something magnificent about Grand Central, and having it figure so prominently into the storyline of Time After Time is really special.
Joe and Nora are fully developed characters who feel like real people. We get to know their hopes and dreams, their passions and secrets, and understand the obstacles to their love story even while rooting for them to find a way to make it all work.
The ending is bittersweet, and while my inner romantic might have wished for a different outcome, I can’t say that any other possible ending would make quite as much sense.
Time After Time was my book group’s selection for July, and I’m so happy to have read it. This is a beautiful book, and just should not be missed!
Joe Reynolds is a Grand Central leverman, working the intricate switches that move trains from track to track — the train equivalent of an air traffic controller, essentially. As the story opens, it’s 1937, the Great Depression is still having an impact, and Joe is grateful for a steady job.
Then he meets Nora, a beautiful young woman whose clothing is about ten years out of date. As Nora looks around Grand Central and tries to get her bearings, she and Joe strike up a conversation. Sparks fly, but they have different places to be, and they part. A year later, Joe sees Nora again, and their connection snaps right back into place. She’s wearing the same clothes and seems unchanged in every way. The two spend time together, but when Joe tries to walk her home, she disappears.
Thus begins a romance across time, in which Nora reappears over the years. She and Joe fall deeply in love, and start to unravel the mystery of why Nora continues to return, why she can’t seem to leave Grand Central, and how they can possibly be together when Nora’s reality is so different than Joe’s.
Their love story is set against the backdrop of World War II, as New York and the world change and the young men of the generation head off to war. As a leverman, Joe is considered essential to the war effort and is not allowed to enlist, but all around them, they see soldiers departing — some to return wounded, some never to return. Joe faces increasing challenges balancing his obligations to his brother’s family in Queens and his need to spend every possible moment with Nora.
I started this book thinking I’d be reading a time-travel story, and it’s not that — but I don’t want to say more about what the truth is behind Nora’s appearances and disappearances and her strange tether to Grand Central.
The setting is just so perfect. There’s something magnificent about Grand Central, and having it figure so prominently into the storyline of Time After Time is really special.
Joe and Nora are fully developed characters who feel like real people. We get to know their hopes and dreams, their passions and secrets, and understand the obstacles to their love story even while rooting for them to find a way to make it all work.
The ending is bittersweet, and while my inner romantic might have wished for a different outcome, I can’t say that any other possible ending would make quite as much sense.
Time After Time was my book group’s selection for July, and I’m so happy to have read it. This is a beautiful book, and just should not be missed!
April 24, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a Kindle ARC of
Time After Time.
I really enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife so the premise of Time After Time intrigued me.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Nora Lansing is a young woman who meets a young leverman named Joe Reynolds at Grand Central after the Great Depression.
The two have an instant connection but Joe will soon discover that Nora is no ordinary lady.
Their love will transcend time and boundaries but what do you do when love is not enough?
There were many things I liked about Time After Time, including:
1. The research that went into depicting Grand Central during the 1930s and how it grew into the central transportation hub it is now
2. As a native New Yorker, I loved the depiction of New York during the Great Depression, how the community and families struggled to survive, war times and how it brought the community and people together
3. I liked Nora and Joe, their chemistry and their unconventional love story. Who wants to be like everybody else?
4. I really liked how the author used the science of Manhattanhenge and how it was the portal to Nora's existence
5. A not quite there ghost story written with heart and warmth that is very easy to suspend disbelief for
What I did not like:
The cliche almost romance that developed between Joe and Faye, his brother Finn's wife, when Finn goes off to war after Pearl Harbor is bombed.
Does every story that takes place around wartime have some kind of stereotypical romance with a sibling's spouse?
I found this trope disrespectful to Nora, especially if Joe is the kind of decent, level headed guy he is depicted to be and who loves and cares about Nora so much, why would he be swayed by Faye so easily?
Because she's alive and she's there? That's a poor excuse.
And when he realizes he and Faye are not suited to each other, he pines for Nora once again. What is he, 16?
I hated this part of the book and made me question Joe's integrity. He began as a mature, kind, responsible man but this act made him look like every other cliche dick I read about.
Second, there was a bit too much filler such as when Nora takes up painting. I understand its a part of character development but there was just so much everyday routine that didn't sound monotonous and it can be tiresome.
This was to be expected because Joe and Nora's life is restricted to Grand Central and the Biltmore because she is tied to the station.
The book could use another edit to tighten the pacing. There were parts toward the end of the book that dragged the story down.
I did enjoy the parts when Joe and Nora went apartment hunting or figuring out how Manhattanhenge was the cause of Nora's reappearance. These routine couple activities were a reminder that their relationship was anything but ordinary.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, the setting of a post-Depression era New York City and Nora and Joe, likable, personable characters.
I really enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife so the premise of Time After Time intrigued me.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Nora Lansing is a young woman who meets a young leverman named Joe Reynolds at Grand Central after the Great Depression.
The two have an instant connection but Joe will soon discover that Nora is no ordinary lady.
Their love will transcend time and boundaries but what do you do when love is not enough?
There were many things I liked about Time After Time, including:
1. The research that went into depicting Grand Central during the 1930s and how it grew into the central transportation hub it is now
2. As a native New Yorker, I loved the depiction of New York during the Great Depression, how the community and families struggled to survive, war times and how it brought the community and people together
3. I liked Nora and Joe, their chemistry and their unconventional love story. Who wants to be like everybody else?
4. I really liked how the author used the science of Manhattanhenge and how it was the portal to Nora's existence
5. A not quite there ghost story written with heart and warmth that is very easy to suspend disbelief for
What I did not like:
The cliche almost romance that developed between Joe and Faye, his brother Finn's wife, when Finn goes off to war after Pearl Harbor is bombed.
Does every story that takes place around wartime have some kind of stereotypical romance with a sibling's spouse?
I found this trope disrespectful to Nora, especially if Joe is the kind of decent, level headed guy he is depicted to be and who loves and cares about Nora so much, why would he be swayed by Faye so easily?
Because she's alive and she's there? That's a poor excuse.
And when he realizes he and Faye are not suited to each other, he pines for Nora once again. What is he, 16?
I hated this part of the book and made me question Joe's integrity. He began as a mature, kind, responsible man but this act made him look like every other cliche dick I read about.
Second, there was a bit too much filler such as when Nora takes up painting. I understand its a part of character development but there was just so much everyday routine that didn't sound monotonous and it can be tiresome.
This was to be expected because Joe and Nora's life is restricted to Grand Central and the Biltmore because she is tied to the station.
The book could use another edit to tighten the pacing. There were parts toward the end of the book that dragged the story down.
I did enjoy the parts when Joe and Nora went apartment hunting or figuring out how Manhattanhenge was the cause of Nora's reappearance. These routine couple activities were a reminder that their relationship was anything but ordinary.
Overall, I enjoyed this story, the setting of a post-Depression era New York City and Nora and Joe, likable, personable characters.
September 14, 2019
Joe and Nora meet and fall in insta-love. Their happily ever after is kept at bay by the fact that Joe is mortal and Nora is a ghost who can only live in Grand Central Terminal. This is the premise as well as the entire plot of this 400 page book.
Maybe the premise sounded good but wasn't strong enough to carry a well developed storyline or maybe it was poorly executed but I found the story and its characters boring and lackluster. I'm honestly surprised by the number of 4 and 5 star ratings I'm seeing.
Maybe the premise sounded good but wasn't strong enough to carry a well developed storyline or maybe it was poorly executed but I found the story and its characters boring and lackluster. I'm honestly surprised by the number of 4 and 5 star ratings I'm seeing.
February 27, 2023
This is a well-written, entertaining historical fiction romance novel with a paranormal twist. It is engaging with likable characters, a unique premise, vividly described scenes, a heartwarming romance and a bittersweet ending.
August 29, 2020
Wer bitter-sweet Liebesgeschichten mag und New York liebt, sollte dieses Buch lesen. Eine wunderschöne Geschichte mit tollen Charakteren, die ich sehr mochte. Und die Grand Central Station ist die dritte Hauptperson in dieser Geschichte. Ich habe viel über New York (besonders auch zu Zeiten des Zweiten Weltkriegs gelernt) und den wunderschönen Bahnhof gelernt, welchem auch durch die Nebencharaktere Leben eingehaucht wurde.
Es ist kein klassischer Pageturner, aber ein Buch zu welchem ich immer wieder gerne gegriffen habe, um in die Welt von Nora & Joe einzutauchen. Der klare Schreibstil hat mir gut gefallen und es passte irgendwie. trotzdem konnte ich mir ein paar tolle Zitate von Lisa Grunwald notieren.
Mein New York Fernweh ist mit jeder Seite gestiegen und nun möchte ich auch einmal zum Manhattanhenge in die Stadt reisen. Beim nächsten Besuch der Grand Central Station werde ich ganz sicher an Joe & Nora denken.
Es ist kein klassischer Pageturner, aber ein Buch zu welchem ich immer wieder gerne gegriffen habe, um in die Welt von Nora & Joe einzutauchen. Der klare Schreibstil hat mir gut gefallen und es passte irgendwie. trotzdem konnte ich mir ein paar tolle Zitate von Lisa Grunwald notieren.
Mein New York Fernweh ist mit jeder Seite gestiegen und nun möchte ich auch einmal zum Manhattanhenge in die Stadt reisen. Beim nächsten Besuch der Grand Central Station werde ich ganz sicher an Joe & Nora denken.
March 19, 2019
I must say there was some initial reluctance going into this book. It sorta kinda sounded like women’s fiction, a very specific type of lachrymose sweeping romance. And wouldn’t you know, in the end it actually was a potentially tear inducing grand (Grand Central based) epic love story, but it was so, so good, I didn’t care. In fact, this book drew me in from the first few pages in a way few books do and managed to sustain that level of emotional engagement throughout its not inconsiderable girth. The description features literary comparisons to famous works (as these descriptions are won’t to do) and here they are actually not undeserved, although for me it was also very reminiscent of the movie Age of Adaline, mentioned nowhere, but a comparison in my opinion well deserved. Both tales of timeless women stuck in temporary challenged love stories are very lovely, albeit in their own ways. The lady that isn’t in a blue dress on the cover is Nora Lansing, a 23 year old spirited young woman who, due to a tragic and miraculous set of circumstances, gets stuck in the Grand Central in New York, her presence inextricably connected to a solar spectacle known as Manhattanhenge. There she meets and falls in love with a leverman, a mad wild crazy passionate love affair circumscribed by the seemingly impossible geographical restrictions not to mention familial obligations and then a world war. I probably shouldn’t say much more here, the description says it all, in fact the description gives away too much as descriptions often tend to, I’m glad I didn’t read it prior to reading the book. I wanted to be surprised and I was, pleasantly surprised, delighted, charmed. Actually love, yeah, not too strong of a word, I loved this book, which made some of much frustrations with it all the more…well, frustrating. And please do not read the following if you haven’t read the book, it might give away too much. If you’ve read up to now, you already know I recommend you read this book, but now it’s time for me to vent out some thoughts, so here it goes…Yeah, not everyone gets to ride off into the sunset together, but that doesn’t mean we aalk off into the sun alone, does it? Seriously? Why? Whatever became of love conquers all? Omnia vincit amor my ass. For all its grand romance, this ended up very much being one of those loves that altered when it alteration found. I’m not sure why self sacrificial love is so de rigueur, but frankly it just didn’t seem necessary. Dramatic, yes. But not necessary. Surely there can be found a way for one person in a couple to travel solo and then return to their loved one. My fiancé has done it marvelously. To go through all that the main characters go through and then separate for what seemed like fairly trivial reasons…frustrating. Yes, she would have stayed young, but so what, she would have aged mentally. For a couple that starts off with a 10 year age difference to suddenly make a huge deal out of a 20 year age difference later on seems silly. Yes, that may have been before celebrities have made such thing ubiquitous, but even back in the day it wasn’t unheard of…Chaplin, anyone. Yes, they wouldn’t have had kids, but so what, there are plenty of childless happy couples out there. Plus if Nora was so concerned for her rapidly aging beloved…maybe he was aging out of kid having age anyway. For all the sweeping grand romance of it, for all the waiting and all the challenges and all that magic, for all of it to end over what it ended over seemed to have trivialized their love. In fact it just seemed like two people who have sorted out their priorities and decided to call it quits and for various reasons (mainly because it makes the best story) told themselves and each other it was for their partner’s own good. Which is fine, it’s realistic and there are plenty of stories like that, but this just didn’t seem like that kind of story. This seemed like it ought to rise above all the tedious triviality of life. I mean, it had magic, real freaking magic. So you would have expected more. Well, anyway I did. I expected more. I was so engaged with the characters and their story, I actually wished them a proper fairy tale ending or something like it. After all, Age of Adaline worked it out. Plus the author in her afterword said she based it on her own relationship, which despite its challenges did not in fact come undone, so it made it all the more unfair that it should work out that way for the couple in the book. I mean, what sort of a message is that? Vampire Bill had to die to free Sookie Stackhouse to love and breed in an ordinary way. Or, more recently and of a much higher quality of entertainment, Jackson Maine went and offed himself to give his wife a chance at musical success. All this self sacrificial (or as the case in book, faux self sacrificial) crap can be packaged and sold as romantic, sure. But for me personally it seems that the greater romance is one that conquers challenges and works despite them, not one where you can glamorously walk off into the sun. There is much to be said about the selfishness of selflessness, but then again this already might be my longest review ever, so I should probably wrap it up. If you read the entire thing…wow and thank you. May this rant have enlightened or at least entertained you. I did love this book, despite all this. Thanks Netgalley.
July 22, 2019
Fine, but not as good as I hoped it would be.
April 9, 2019
Thanks to the publisher for providing a free review copy via Netgalley.
As with many other time travel romances, the central conflict is that the traveler doesn’t age the way the non-traveler does. Despite the repetition of that plot element, this is still a good story. Joe and Nora are engaging and believable characters, and it’s fascinating to see how cleverly they deal with the challenges of Nora apparently being confined to Grand Central Terminal. Most of the action takes place in the 1930s and 1940s, a particularly vivid time in Grand Central history.
For aficionados of time travel books, I should mention that this is not at all a science-bound time travel book. There are discoveries of a sort about what happened to cause Nora’s situation and what rules she is bound by, but you really don’t want to think too hard about them.
I’m not going to say that this is a great work of literary fiction, but this book did remind me in a way of Amor Towles’s A Gentleman in Moscow. In both books, a character is forced to live for decades confined to one building. In both cases, it’s a large and many-faceted building, with workaday functions, hidden places and wonders, and its own regular cast of characters. The main character(s) make the building an entire world in itself, and the authors convey that in a way that makes the reader visualize a life in such a world.
The story of Nora and Joe is a good one, but it’s the exploration of the world of Grand Central that takes this story into a magical realm.
Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end of the book to learn about Grunwald’s two main inspirations for the book.
As with many other time travel romances, the central conflict is that the traveler doesn’t age the way the non-traveler does. Despite the repetition of that plot element, this is still a good story. Joe and Nora are engaging and believable characters, and it’s fascinating to see how cleverly they deal with the challenges of Nora apparently being confined to Grand Central Terminal. Most of the action takes place in the 1930s and 1940s, a particularly vivid time in Grand Central history.
For aficionados of time travel books, I should mention that this is not at all a science-bound time travel book. There are discoveries of a sort about what happened to cause Nora’s situation and what rules she is bound by, but you really don’t want to think too hard about them.
I’m not going to say that this is a great work of literary fiction, but this book did remind me in a way of Amor Towles’s A Gentleman in Moscow. In both books, a character is forced to live for decades confined to one building. In both cases, it’s a large and many-faceted building, with workaday functions, hidden places and wonders, and its own regular cast of characters. The main character(s) make the building an entire world in itself, and the authors convey that in a way that makes the reader visualize a life in such a world.
The story of Nora and Joe is a good one, but it’s the exploration of the world of Grand Central that takes this story into a magical realm.
Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end of the book to learn about Grunwald’s two main inspirations for the book.
May 19, 2020
3,5 Sterne.
Okay, sie hat mich schon berührt, diese einzigartige, tragische Liebesgeschichte. Wirklich ein grandioses Setting mit einer super interessanten Grundidee und einem tollen Schreibstil. Leider habe ich mit bei so manchen Entscheidungen der Charaktere echt an den Kopf gefasst und fand EIniges in diesem Buch einfach problematic. Trotzdem hatte ich schöne Lesestunden :)
Okay, sie hat mich schon berührt, diese einzigartige, tragische Liebesgeschichte. Wirklich ein grandioses Setting mit einer super interessanten Grundidee und einem tollen Schreibstil. Leider habe ich mit bei so manchen Entscheidungen der Charaktere echt an den Kopf gefasst und fand EIniges in diesem Buch einfach problematic. Trotzdem hatte ich schöne Lesestunden :)
June 5, 2019
A bittersweet tale that features Manhattanhenge. I had never heard of this phenomenon, but there are some gorgeous sunrise and sunset pics to be found on the web. Joe and Nora meet at Grand Central Terminal in 1938. This is not your everyday love story and Nora is no ordinary girl. The choices they make to be together are heartbreaking at times. Grand Central shines as a character and the storyline reaches back to 1925 before moving ahead through the 40's and the WW II era. Would be a great pick for book groups.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2019
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the chance to read this novel.
I immediately had to request this book when I saw a review on Instagram from Top Shelf Book Reviews. This book sounded like it would be right up my alley, especially since The Time Traveler's Wife and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button are two of my very favorite stories ever. I can't even explain my excitement when I was accepted for this book - I immediately dropped everything and started reading. It featured everything I love, from a World War II time period to interesting historical facts and a unique love story. Unfortunately, at about 35% through this story, I had to take a break. I needed to catch up on ARCs that were publishing soon and this book was slow going for me. I would read for a bit and be intrigued and then the story would slowly lose my attention again thereafter. There was just something missing, not allowing the story to capture my full concentration.
Finally, as April was ending, I decided to pick this book back up and see if I could fall in love with this story. As much as hoped, there was still something missing from the reading experience for me. I liked the characters well enough, I thought the idea for the plot was interesting and was anxious to see what would happen. However, there were too many time jumps, too many insignificant secondary characters, and an overall disjointed feel that kept this book from being everything I needed it to be. I often find the books with the most unique plots are victims of poor execution. In this case, I didn't feel the sweeping romance I hoped I would be caught up in. This was supposed to be an epic love story, one that defies the laws of time and age. Yet I didn't feel that connection between the characters in the way that was needed, which left me feeling utterly disappointed.
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspect of this story and the chance to learn things about Grand Central Station I didn't know about prior to reading. I also loved the significance of Manhattanhenge, something else that has somehow escaped my knowledge all of these years as well. Overall, this story had some very interesting attributes but I was hoping for better.
It seems this book already has quite mixed reviews. I recommend giving it a try for yourself if it sounds like something you'd enjoy. Pick up your copy on June 11th.
I immediately had to request this book when I saw a review on Instagram from Top Shelf Book Reviews. This book sounded like it would be right up my alley, especially since The Time Traveler's Wife and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button are two of my very favorite stories ever. I can't even explain my excitement when I was accepted for this book - I immediately dropped everything and started reading. It featured everything I love, from a World War II time period to interesting historical facts and a unique love story. Unfortunately, at about 35% through this story, I had to take a break. I needed to catch up on ARCs that were publishing soon and this book was slow going for me. I would read for a bit and be intrigued and then the story would slowly lose my attention again thereafter. There was just something missing, not allowing the story to capture my full concentration.
Finally, as April was ending, I decided to pick this book back up and see if I could fall in love with this story. As much as hoped, there was still something missing from the reading experience for me. I liked the characters well enough, I thought the idea for the plot was interesting and was anxious to see what would happen. However, there were too many time jumps, too many insignificant secondary characters, and an overall disjointed feel that kept this book from being everything I needed it to be. I often find the books with the most unique plots are victims of poor execution. In this case, I didn't feel the sweeping romance I hoped I would be caught up in. This was supposed to be an epic love story, one that defies the laws of time and age. Yet I didn't feel that connection between the characters in the way that was needed, which left me feeling utterly disappointed.
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspect of this story and the chance to learn things about Grand Central Station I didn't know about prior to reading. I also loved the significance of Manhattanhenge, something else that has somehow escaped my knowledge all of these years as well. Overall, this story had some very interesting attributes but I was hoping for better.
It seems this book already has quite mixed reviews. I recommend giving it a try for yourself if it sounds like something you'd enjoy. Pick up your copy on June 11th.
June 6, 2019
I have to say I was excited by the potential of this book, but ultimately a little disappointed in the end. I had in mind something like maybe The Lake House. I was hoping Joe would have to work a little more at figuring out how to keep Nora in Joe's time, or that they would both have to work at it and the focus of the book would be getting them together in the end. Instead, after the first few chapters, they figure out the secret to Nora's coming and going fairly quickly, and she ends up staying in Joe's time for over a year at a stretch. The main focus of the book is more on how their relationship weathers the onset of WWII, Nora's desire to have an independent life, and Joe's obligation to care for his brother's family during the war. The focus is more on their struggle to make this fantastical relationship work in the real world despite the challenges of not only Nora's "condition", for lack of a better word, but the fact that life keeps moving forward around them. I was much more interested in the fantastical part, Joe working to figure out Nora's conditions and the rules of her comings and goings, and then fighting to be with her. It was a little tedious in the middle once they were already together, and seemed more bogged down with war-time details and how life in general can get in the way of things. It was almost like just a typical relationship story but the author just used Nora's condition as a means to create emotional turmoil for them. It was good, just not what I expected. Did not like the ending, and felt it didn't seem practical for what I knew about the characters.
July 4, 2019
This book was full of my favorite things- historical fiction, NYC and a touch of romance. Add a time travel element and page-turning writing and I.WAS.IN!
September 3, 2023
4.5 stars
December 26, 2020
A great read to finish out 2020!
I'm always impressed when an author tells me something new. I really don't know much (or frankly care) about Grand Central station and NYC in general, but Manhattanhenge? Now that's interesting!
Copied from the webs--
The term "Manhattanhenge" was coined by astrophysicist and director of the Hayden Planetarium, Neil deGrasse Tyson. He first used the term in 1997 and it was popularized in the early 2000s.
Manhattanhenge at sunset took place on May 29 and July 12, 2020.
The dates for Manhattanhenge sunrise this year (2020) are roughly Nov. 29 and 30 and Jan. 11 and 12...so not December 5th. And of course the windows of the GCS are blocked anyway.
Moving onto the book, I applaud how Grunwald ended it. In fact, the only quibble I had with the plot was So that's pretty good considering all the other loopholes Grunwald had to cover.
I'd never heard of "Victory Vacations" taken after WWII...I wonder if this year everyone will take a "Vaccination Vacations"?
I'm always impressed when an author tells me something new. I really don't know much (or frankly care) about Grand Central station and NYC in general, but Manhattanhenge? Now that's interesting!
Copied from the webs--
The term "Manhattanhenge" was coined by astrophysicist and director of the Hayden Planetarium, Neil deGrasse Tyson. He first used the term in 1997 and it was popularized in the early 2000s.
Manhattanhenge at sunset took place on May 29 and July 12, 2020.
The dates for Manhattanhenge sunrise this year (2020) are roughly Nov. 29 and 30 and Jan. 11 and 12...so not December 5th. And of course the windows of the GCS are blocked anyway.
Moving onto the book, I applaud how Grunwald ended it. In fact, the only quibble I had with the plot was So that's pretty good considering all the other loopholes Grunwald had to cover.
I'd never heard of "Victory Vacations" taken after WWII...I wonder if this year everyone will take a "Vaccination Vacations"?
June 11, 2019
When I saw the description of Time After Time, I immediately wanted to read it. I love historical fiction, I love time travel, and I love books set in NYC, and this book has all these elements. The time travel aspect is quite different from what I expected, it's not exactly time travel and I can't really say what it is because of spoilers. I liked both Joe and Nora, and I loved their bitter-sweet love story. They are years and worlds apart but their connection and their love for each other is breathtaking!
I found the setting of Grand Central Station so interesting, I was fascinated by the description of all the behind the scenes. I've been to Grand Central lot's of times and always marveled at the beautiful architecture but never thought about what secrets could be hidden behind the walls and underneath the station. I also enjoyed historical aspects of the book and reading about life in NYC during the depression and in 1940s. Overall, I really enjoyed Time After Time and would recommend it to historical fiction and time travel fans.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I found the setting of Grand Central Station so interesting, I was fascinated by the description of all the behind the scenes. I've been to Grand Central lot's of times and always marveled at the beautiful architecture but never thought about what secrets could be hidden behind the walls and underneath the station. I also enjoyed historical aspects of the book and reading about life in NYC during the depression and in 1940s. Overall, I really enjoyed Time After Time and would recommend it to historical fiction and time travel fans.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2019
Poignant ~ Enchanting ~ Sweet
tl;dr : Death doesn't stop love.
This is a non-traditional romance novel, if there is one. It is a really sweet tale about love during the Depression (and later) in New York City. The writing has a gentleness that is appealing. The well-crafted characters feel so real that their struggles pull at the reader's heart-strings. I don't want to share the secrets of the story, but I promise this isn't a scary book. It's just a sweet story of love and how "working out" can be subjective. This would be a great read for romance lovers and for historical romance lovers. Wonderful read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
tl;dr : Death doesn't stop love.
This is a non-traditional romance novel, if there is one. It is a really sweet tale about love during the Depression (and later) in New York City. The writing has a gentleness that is appealing. The well-crafted characters feel so real that their struggles pull at the reader's heart-strings. I don't want to share the secrets of the story, but I promise this isn't a scary book. It's just a sweet story of love and how "working out" can be subjective. This would be a great read for romance lovers and for historical romance lovers. Wonderful read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
Read
June 11, 2019In 1937 when Joe Reynolds first meets Nora Lansing in Grand Central Station, he’s not sure what to make of her. She’s dressed as a flapper and her clothing is looking quite shabby. She has no coat nor does she have any baggage. As he’s walking her home, Nora disappears but Joe will meet Nora again – time after time – for many years to come. Nora tells Joe that the last thing she can remember is returning from Paris in 1925 and being in a subway accident. They soon learn that Nora’s appearance in Grand Central Station and hold on life is a tenuous one. Joe and Nora’s life together will be quite a unique one but always full of love.
This is a beautifully told and enchanting love story. I loved being a part of Joe and Nora’s magical world. I would have liked it to have ended differently and felt that the author’s ending just didn’t feel believable although I could certainly understand the pressures this love affair was under. I most loved all of the historical references the author weaved into her story. Living just an hour away from Grand Central Station, I’m amazed that I never heard of Manhattanhenge. I immediately looked up some videos but I’m sure none of them did the sight justice. I’ll just have to go see it for myself one day.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
This is a beautifully told and enchanting love story. I loved being a part of Joe and Nora’s magical world. I would have liked it to have ended differently and felt that the author’s ending just didn’t feel believable although I could certainly understand the pressures this love affair was under. I most loved all of the historical references the author weaved into her story. Living just an hour away from Grand Central Station, I’m amazed that I never heard of Manhattanhenge. I immediately looked up some videos but I’m sure none of them did the sight justice. I’ll just have to go see it for myself one day.
Recommended.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
June 17, 2019
Ok, I did not see that coming. Usually, when a character does something unexpected near the end of a book, it means that the author has written herself into a corner that she can't get out of without someone having an epiphany or just acting way out of character or something. But in this case, the behavior totally felt like something the character would do, even if I wasn't expecting it. I won't even tell you which character does the unexpected thing, so read the book to find out. It's worth it all the way through.
September 15, 2019
This definitely feels like a "it's me, not you" rating. For one thing, you have to be willing to buy into the instant connection and I just didn't. For another, it turns out I don't really like love stories where Oh, also there's too much of one character doing something for the character's own good.
The setting felt really well done and it did keep me reading, but . . . in the end, it just felt not worth it.
The setting felt really well done and it did keep me reading, but . . . in the end, it just felt not worth it.
August 6, 2021
3.5. Really enjoyed this read. It was a little romantic escapist journey. Kind of just what you need in summer to keep you enticed and enthralled, and sort of wondering - as the characters do, "well what next?" Would love to talk to others about it and I look forward to that.
dnf
June 19, 2019Dnf after 150 pages. Just seemed like the same thing over and over. Sad it wasn’t going anywhere.
July 23, 2019
Time After Time is the story of Nora and Joe. I enjoyed reading about their unique, magical romance, but what I enjoyed the most about the book was the setting: New York City’s Grand Central Station during and after World War 2.
•
This book’s setting was so authentic. I felt like I was strolling the terminal along with the main characters! The author scattered real historical people, events, and establishments throughout the story and that helped the book come to life. I have always loved NYC and I can’t wait to visit Grand Central Station and look for some of the sites she referenced.
•
Have you ever heard of Manhattanhenge? A few weeks before and after the winter and summer solstices , the rising and the setting sun is perfectly aligned between the buildings along the east-west streets of the city. On those days the sun brings the ceiling of Grand Central Station to life, and this novel discusses this phenomenon. I’m curious to know how popular it is with people who live in New York City now? And let’s just face it NOW I WANT TO SEE MANHATTANENGE.
July 13, 2019
(2.5 rounded up) Meh. I feel kind of let down. This had quite a bit of hype and the premise seemed good, but it fell flat for me.
First, the good: I loved the setting. 1920s-1940s Grand Central Station in NYC. I loved the idea of playing with “Manhattanhenge,” when the sunrise and sunset aligns with the city’s street grid. I loved the idea of a time travel novel, having loved “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and other books that play with this set-up to tell an original story.
What I didn’t love: The length. I was into the first third of the book as she sets up the story, but then it really stalls out, for way too many pages. Also, the characters weren’t really fleshed out with any real depth, despite the book having nearly 400 pages to do so. And without giving spoilers, I didn’t love the way the time travel “worked” in this story. It essentially left the female character trapped in a physical space; it was like she was a beautiful princess who was locked away in a tower for the man to visit and enjoy, but she couldn’t have her own life. Her whole existence was just waiting for him to return her space, because she was trapped. And of course, she never ages, so she remains young and beautiful forever. It just kept making me angry. No thank you.
First, the good: I loved the setting. 1920s-1940s Grand Central Station in NYC. I loved the idea of playing with “Manhattanhenge,” when the sunrise and sunset aligns with the city’s street grid. I loved the idea of a time travel novel, having loved “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and other books that play with this set-up to tell an original story.
What I didn’t love: The length. I was into the first third of the book as she sets up the story, but then it really stalls out, for way too many pages. Also, the characters weren’t really fleshed out with any real depth, despite the book having nearly 400 pages to do so. And without giving spoilers, I didn’t love the way the time travel “worked” in this story. It essentially left the female character trapped in a physical space; it was like she was a beautiful princess who was locked away in a tower for the man to visit and enjoy, but she couldn’t have her own life. Her whole existence was just waiting for him to return her space, because she was trapped. And of course, she never ages, so she remains young and beautiful forever. It just kept making me angry. No thank you.
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