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Publication Date: November 22 2023
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 979-8-89132-033-8
$18.99 Paperback
$9.99 ebook
377 Pages
After the lives of two strangers abruptly intersect in a peculiar parallel universe, they embark on an epic journey to save the world from destruction in Larsen’s latest novel. Though born in different years—Eveline Stahl in 1909 and Malcolm Reiner in 1941—their paths were destined to cross. A chance meeting in Iowa City, Iowa in Autumn 1933 leads them to fall in love. With the fate of the nation on their shoulders, they go on a grand adventure to West Tree, Minnesota with one goal: prevent the formation of the CIA and the onset of the Cold War, thus avoiding JFK’s assassination and averting the long descent of the nation into tyranny. Will they succeed? Larsen takes a joyous approach to his story, although not much of note occurs outside of transformations, time jumps, and Malcolm and Eveline trying in vain to save the country before ultimately being thrown apart and never reuniting. Nevertheless, Larsen successfully creates several timelines across which the plotline progresses, unveiling surprises as it moves towards its climax. Malcolm and Eveline’s relationship is authentic, adding emotional depth to the tale. Malcolm’s father, who is shrouded in symbolism, makes for a formidable adversary. Pleasantly amusing and satisfyingly ambiguous, as befits a meandering tale of time travel jumps.
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