"Innovative time travel"
In 1921 Russia, anarchist philosopher Peter Kropotkin
is near death when a stranger Anchee Mahur offers him an
opportunity to live life anew in a healthy body. Without a
look back at his past or any Faustian consequences, Peter
accepts the offer to live albeit in 1999 Richmond, Virginia. Peter finds a job, falls in love with Rachel Pederson,
who helps immigrants adapt to the United States, and meets
fellow time travelers. Peter soon sets the tone for
community service by distributing food to the needy. Along
with his out of time cronies, Peter concludes that Anchee
is fostering his personal concept of how the future should
look and that the out of time souls are the tools to create
this brave new world. Peter questions what he and his
peers are doing as he wonders if he should follow Anchee's
vision that parallels his own desires for humanity or stop
his mentor so that free will determines the future even if
it is something he despises. THE WATCH is an insightful science fiction that looks
closely at the question of free will vs. determinism, but
from a fresh perspective. The story line contains a deep
message about choices and whether any means justifies the
end. The cast is believable especially the displaced Peter
who struggles with an enigma between his dreams and his
actions to attain what he deems is best for society.
Dennis Danvers provides a powerful novel that political and
social science fiction fans will savor except those
fanatics who insist they have the only answer. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted December 20, 2001
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