Written In Time [Mass Market Paperback]

How many times must you repeat yourself? After the 14th description of Ellen as looking 12 years younger than she was and beautiful and with model worthy cheekbones...I don't need to imagine a picture of her anymore. Also, if Lizzie is such an intelligent, dynamic, and resourceful young woman, why is she and her side of the family never mentioned in the future... Last but not least, NONE OF THE GOOD GUYS DIE!!!! I don't normally have a death-wish for characters, but with all of the gun battles and heroics; the sheer carnage wrought in the final battle...none of the named main characters die (I don't count the old lady as she was a minor character of advanced age). Heck, none of them even get seriously injured; no permanent injuries, no lasting trauma.

I don't expect realism in my fiction, but I find it hard to stretch my credulity quite that far. When you add in redundant dialogue and rapid shifts in perspective - to allow for plenty of internal monologuing - it is difficult to push through to the end.

I still enjoyed some of the more active sequences and the authors built a very complete world, I just wouldn't highly recommend this book.

This book covers no new ground. The "laws of time travel" and physics used are OK and don't have to be original to support a good story. The book reads like a Tom Swift novel, written for teens. That's also OK, but the dialog is mediocre to poor. I'm a sucker for parallel worlds and time travel fiction, so on my 10 scale this gets a 3 to 4.

Written in Time (2010) is a standalone SF novel. It is about a family that travels back into time. It is set in three eras and three states.

In this novel, Jack Naile was born in Chicago and moved to Northeast Georgia when their daughter Elizabeth was two years old.

Ellen Naile is Jack's wife. She too was born in Chicago and gave birth to both David and Elizabeth in that city.

James Naile is the son of David and is married to Mary Ann. He is the CEO of Horizon Industries. He lives in Central Wisconsin.

John Naile is the son of James and is married to Audrey. He is vice president of Horizon Industries.

In this story, John and Audrey are visiting his family. Neither are sure why they have been invited this time, with all the work that John has piled on his desk. But they are always willing to spend time with his parents.

James and Mary Ann have a special reason for the invitation. She takes Audrey into the kitchen to help prepare lunch. He leads John to the family bomb shelter.

John is aware of the three floor shelter, but James shows him a fourth level. Within the hidden area, James shows him some information that comes from the future and tells him that Jack and his family had gone through time. Then he goes to the television.

John wonders why they are watching As the World Turns, but the program is interrupted to announce the assassination of President Kennedy. James explains the circumstances and consequences of the assassination and other future events. Then they discuss the ethics of withholding such information from the authorities.

In 1993, Jack receives a copy of a 1903 magazine photograph showing a general store in Northern Nevada with the name Jack Naile on the sign. Jack and Ellen are intrigued, but decide that they are many ways that the photo could have appeared. Maybe just a coincidence or possibly a fake.

Jack checks with the town Chamber of Commerce and discovers the name of the local historian. The man is out of the office the first time he calls, but is available later. After discussing the name issue, Jack asks the man to send some other material, including old photos.

In the photos of the western family, the similarity to Jack and his family is obvious. In fact, the Jack Naile in one photo is wearing the hat and pistol belt that is hanging in their hallway. David refuses to believe that they could have traveled back in time, but the rest of the family is beginning to wonder how it could be done.

Jack starts talking about what to take on their time voyage. Ellen is still upset, but helps him with the lists. David is still against the whole idea, but he hedges his bets and makes sure that they have everything that they would need.

Since they have no way of knowing when the time transition will occur, Jack always carries an attache case with gold, diamonds, microfiche and a small pistol. They pack the rest of their supplies into the Suburban. Whenever they travel together, the family takes these supplies with them

This tale takes Jack and his family back in time to 1896. They arrive near Atlas, Nevada, but the transition doesn't include the Suburban. So they have only the most crucial supplies. They start returning to the future the hard way, one day at a time.

A great deal of this novel is autobiographical. For example, the Aherns have written numerous books and articles on guns and other weapons (see Armed for Personal Defenses). Insofar as I am aware, however, they have not done any traveling in time except in the old fashioned way.

This plot reflects some of the time travel tales of the Golden Age, such as Lest Darkness Fall, The Door into Summer, and The End of Eternity. Yet the story differs in many respects from these classical tales. In this tale, they have time to plan for the trip, are able to carry some critical supplies, but are not experienced time travelers.

This novel puts a new twist on the old concept. Moreover, it delves into the philosophy of time travel. They learn that the Jack Naile in the past came from a future different than their own. Apparently these changes created differences without eliminating the time trip itself.

This novel raises some interesting questions. Try to avoid thinking too much on the issues. Read and enjoy!

Recommended for Ahern fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of time travel, cultural changes, and plucky families.

-Arthur W. Jordin