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mandirigma's review
4.0
It's kind of crazy to me, reading all the reviews of this book from the heady Obama years. Reading this book in 2018, and during the week that three of 45's goons went down in court, I have a whole different context for this. At this point, how many of us wish we could go back in time and yell at everyone we know to not vote Republican?
Many of the negative reviews have found the anti-GWB political rants too heavy-handed or dated, but can you honestly imagine explaining to your younger 2006-self that in ten years, Donald Trump would be president, and that in the course of one hour in August of 2018, his former campaign manager and his former personal lawyer would BOTH be found guilty of campaign-related fraud, AND that the President of the United States of America in the year of our lord 2018 would be forced to go on television to admit that yes, he did pay multiple porn stars hush money but don't worry, it didn't come out of campaign funds?!!!! The attempt to prevent GWB from happening -- because of that administration's stance on climate change, marriage equality, etc. -- is almost quaint.
In short, this was the perfect book to read during the 45 administration, and I only wish Bob Smith were still around to write an update.
But seriously, the beauty of the book is in its treatment of grief and profound loss, and also in aging. If you could go back in time 20 years, how would you try to change your life? What would your younger self think of you? Would they see you as cynical and negative? What kind of information would you tell your younger self and how do you think it might change your experience of joy?
Full review up on my blog http://mandirigmajones.tumblr.com
Many of the negative reviews have found the anti-GWB political rants too heavy-handed or dated, but can you honestly imagine explaining to your younger 2006-self that in ten years, Donald Trump would be president, and that in the course of one hour in August of 2018, his former campaign manager and his former personal lawyer would BOTH be found guilty of campaign-related fraud, AND that the President of the United States of America in the year of our lord 2018 would be forced to go on television to admit that yes, he did pay multiple porn stars hush money but don't worry, it didn't come out of campaign funds?!!!! The attempt to prevent GWB from happening -- because of that administration's stance on climate change, marriage equality, etc. -- is almost quaint.
In short, this was the perfect book to read during the 45 administration, and I only wish Bob Smith were still around to write an update.
But seriously, the beauty of the book is in its treatment of grief and profound loss, and also in aging. If you could go back in time 20 years, how would you try to change your life? What would your younger self think of you? Would they see you as cynical and negative? What kind of information would you tell your younger self and how do you think it might change your experience of joy?
Full review up on my blog http://mandirigmajones.tumblr.com
lola425's review
4.0
OK so I generally hate gimmicks and I really hate time travel and this book is almost--almost--too cute for its own good, but somehow Smith managed to charm me anyway. By page three I was chortling out loud, by page ten I was relating the storyline to my bf, who proceeded to give me a wtf look. The book is seriously funny, even when it is ridiculous, I guess especially when it is ridiculous. I do feel that Smith added in too many characters towards the end in furtherance of the plot and not much else, and it made the plot move forward a bit clunkily, but his treatment of the core characters (even his over the top send-up up of Dick Cheney--then and now)more than made up for it. I guess I was willing to forgive Smith trangressions I would hate in other authors because he simply appeared to be having a good time and I had one too.
crtsjffrsn's review
John has decided to break up with his physicist boyfriend, Taylor, on the day Taylor's breakthrough invention--a time machine--was announced. John ends up using the machine to travel back in time 20 years, where he meets up with his younger self and a younger Taylor and sets to work with them on a course to change the future and avoid the problems that led to the demise of their relationship (while changing a few other key things along the way).
Honestly, this was sort of meh for me. It had the right ingredients to be a funny little story. But it often felt to me like the author tried just a little bit too hard to push it over that line. And it didn't land for me.
Honestly, this was sort of meh for me. It had the right ingredients to be a funny little story. But it often felt to me like the author tried just a little bit too hard to push it over that line. And it didn't land for me.
mrsthrift's review
2.0
The premise of this book is fabulous -- a gay New Yorker borrows his boyfriend's time machine to go back to the 1980s and solve some of the worst problems that plagued his adult life -- his sister's suicide, his failing relationship with his boyfriend, his father's alcoholism, etc. Along the way, it seems like a good idea to try to stop Bush and Cheney from taking over the country. Think of all the good you could do 25 years in the past!! Hindsight is more than 20/20. Don't sleep with your adorable, past self.
It was an interesting read, and I appreciated the intellectual exercises - questions of inevitability, time's own way of making certain events happen, free will and the ability to control our futures. Would you like your future self, and would you get along with your past self? Would you be sexually attracted to yourself? If you enjoy those sort of time travel mental exercises, this is not a particularly complex or well fleshed out example of them.
Basically, what I'm getting at is that this is a sort of not-exciting book about time travel, and a typical semi-trashy, very white, gay novel that happens to be about time travel. It's sort of funny, but far from hilarious. Is there value in this book simply because it fills this niche? I'm not sure. If the description excites you, read it, but don't force yourself simply bc there's a dearth of quality queer time travel fiction in the world. If you want to read an excellent queer time travel book, reality is that you have to 1. travel into the future 2. write it yourself.
It was an interesting read, and I appreciated the intellectual exercises - questions of inevitability, time's own way of making certain events happen, free will and the ability to control our futures. Would you like your future self, and would you get along with your past self? Would you be sexually attracted to yourself? If you enjoy those sort of time travel mental exercises, this is not a particularly complex or well fleshed out example of them.
Basically, what I'm getting at is that this is a sort of not-exciting book about time travel, and a typical semi-trashy, very white, gay novel that happens to be about time travel. It's sort of funny, but far from hilarious. Is there value in this book simply because it fills this niche? I'm not sure. If the description excites you, read it, but don't force yourself simply bc there's a dearth of quality queer time travel fiction in the world. If you want to read an excellent queer time travel book, reality is that you have to 1. travel into the future 2. write it yourself.
sleepey's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Getting through this book was a supremely frustrating experience for me. It's got some really sharp dialogue, a strong emotional core, and the plot is always right on the verge of running off the rails in a fun & exciting way. But every few chapters, when it seems like something might be about to happen, the characters just shrug it all off & sit down to chat about Bush-era American politics, for page after page after page. It's a book about a gay time traveller on the run from Literally Dick Cheney, & somehow they made it boring???
marc_a_lope's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.75
I have mixed feelings about the book. I really enjoyed the premise and the moments of reflection and bonding with his past self were endearing and often heartwarming. Especially with queer characters.
I also enjoyed the exploration of trying to right past wrongs.
Everything else, missed the mark for me. War criminals as campy villains and a heinous act committed by the main characters that is played for a laugh and then brushed asside did not sit well. Hollow tirades against the Republican party, and mastabatory soliloquies espousing the merits of the Democratic party are frequent and annoying. Ultimately the book hasn't aged particularly well.
I also enjoyed the exploration of trying to right past wrongs.
Everything else, missed the mark for me. War criminals as campy villains and a heinous act committed by the main characters that is played for a laugh and then brushed asside did not sit well. Hollow tirades against the Republican party, and mastabatory soliloquies espousing the merits of the Democratic party are frequent and annoying. Ultimately the book hasn't aged particularly well.
alperezq's review
3.0
Extra points for being campy, funny and even ridiculous. It's a fun read and a very interesting premise: "a gay man travels back in time o stop G.W. Bush from becoming president". Having Cheney as the main villain makes for plenty hilarious situations. However, some of the characters fall flat, their motivations seem questionable, the political rants become heavy-handed and a little bit tiring, the more "serious" parts of the book don't quite work and of course by now the book feels very dated. Still a lot of fun.
sireno8's review
5.0
What would you do if you had the opportunity to go back in time and meet yourself? I hope it's a lot like this book. The tone is a pitch perfect --modulating seamlessly between laugh out wittiness, keenly observed trueisms and painful emotional realities. Particularly surprising and refreshing is the book's unrelenting politcal stance. He lets the villains remain the villains even though explaining (in this world) the reasons for their villianous acts. He also completely captures what's good, bad and ugly being young and not so young. Add to this romance without sappiness, boundless imagination, sexiness, silliness and wisdom and you have this compltely satisfying and utterly fabulous book. I can't say enough good things about it.
vardaman's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5