Location : Cleveland, OH
Sam Dance is an enlisted soldier in 1941
when news comes to him that his older brother, Keenan, was killed in the
attack on Pearl Harbor. Keenan was on the Arizona when it was hit;
the loss hits Sam pretty hard. While he is going through his training,
Sam shows an affinity for science and engineering, so the Army pulls him
out of the normal training routine and places him in classes on code breaking,
electronics, and physics. He isn't really sure about physics but it seems
to come him easily, which surprises him. Seduced by an enigmatic female
physicist after a particularly interesting/strange physics session, he
is given her plans for a device that she says will end war. Not only that,
but through DNA, it may change the human "gene" for war, ending
it at a biological level.
Following his training, he is sent to Europe to resolve theoretical and practical problems for the Allies. One stop is England, where he helps to resolve targeting issues with air defense systems. As the Allies make headway in Europe, Sam and his company move forward with the Army. As the war in Europe winds down, he is sent to the Pacific, where he finds himself on the Enola Gay.
In his free time, he and the other members of his company play jazz. Sam and his best friend, Wink, prefer the more modern type, known as be-bop, but they will play any variety of jazz. It is in jazz that he and Wink make great strides with the design for the mysterious device. It takes more than a year, but they are able to build the device and start it. However, something happens, which hard to determine exactly what, and then the device melts into a solid block of metal.
Later, Sam is able to determine that the device did work. He, and the others exposed to its power, are able to move among different versions of reality and also back in time. It is this knowledge, and improvements to the device, that could change history.
In War Times, by Kathleen Ann Goonan, is one of the more unique science fiction novels I've read. The characters are well defined, the dialog believable, and the scenes are based on historical fact. The plot moves slowly, building toward an excellent climax, which uses more historical references but in a science fiction bent. Readers looking for action should look elsewhere. Readers looking for a thoughtful, engaging novel, will be very pleased with In War Times. Much like the music that drives Sam Dance and his Army buddies, it flows extremely well. While we have a basic understanding of the device, it's purpose doesn't become clear until the last third of the novel. The buildup to this recognition is carefully paced, which adds to the overall feel of the novel. From there, the story moves at a much faster pace, ending at a well known place and time in US history. It is a very fulfilling climax. The connection between jazz and the device is fascinating, engrossing; In War Times is a compelling read. I must thank my local library for recommending this novel to me, it was a great choice in a genre I very rarely read by an excellent author.
Disclosure:
Obtained from: Library
Payment: Borrowed
Technorati tag: book review Kathleen Ann Goonan In War Times
Following his training, he is sent to Europe to resolve theoretical and practical problems for the Allies. One stop is England, where he helps to resolve targeting issues with air defense systems. As the Allies make headway in Europe, Sam and his company move forward with the Army. As the war in Europe winds down, he is sent to the Pacific, where he finds himself on the Enola Gay.
In his free time, he and the other members of his company play jazz. Sam and his best friend, Wink, prefer the more modern type, known as be-bop, but they will play any variety of jazz. It is in jazz that he and Wink make great strides with the design for the mysterious device. It takes more than a year, but they are able to build the device and start it. However, something happens, which hard to determine exactly what, and then the device melts into a solid block of metal.
Later, Sam is able to determine that the device did work. He, and the others exposed to its power, are able to move among different versions of reality and also back in time. It is this knowledge, and improvements to the device, that could change history.
In War Times, by Kathleen Ann Goonan, is one of the more unique science fiction novels I've read. The characters are well defined, the dialog believable, and the scenes are based on historical fact. The plot moves slowly, building toward an excellent climax, which uses more historical references but in a science fiction bent. Readers looking for action should look elsewhere. Readers looking for a thoughtful, engaging novel, will be very pleased with In War Times. Much like the music that drives Sam Dance and his Army buddies, it flows extremely well. While we have a basic understanding of the device, it's purpose doesn't become clear until the last third of the novel. The buildup to this recognition is carefully paced, which adds to the overall feel of the novel. From there, the story moves at a much faster pace, ending at a well known place and time in US history. It is a very fulfilling climax. The connection between jazz and the device is fascinating, engrossing; In War Times is a compelling read. I must thank my local library for recommending this novel to me, it was a great choice in a genre I very rarely read by an excellent author.
Disclosure:
Obtained from: Library
Payment: Borrowed
Technorati tag: book review Kathleen Ann Goonan In War Times
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