Review: Now, Then, and Everywhen

Now, Then, and Everywhen by Rysa Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Here's part of what I wrote about Timebound, Rysa Walker's first published novel:

'While it is set up as science fiction, the science doesn't bear close examination, particularly the genetic science. A single "genetic gift" just doesn't make you "good at computers" or predispose you to love a particular avocation, and I'm fairly sure the author misuses the genetic terms "dominant" and "recessive" as well. Nor is the logic of the time-travel devices and their limitations particularly consistent throughout the story. It's basically technology-as-magic, and genetic-gift-as-inherited-magical-gift. The idea that the time travel devices give off light that's seen in different colours by different individuals, and that those who can't use them can't see the light at all, makes no scientific sense, although it's a moderately cool idea. Basically, this is a fantasy given a superficially scientific-sounding skin.'

All of this is still applicable, minus the mention of "dominant" and "recessive" and plus a caution that intelligence, for example, is a) complex, b) almost impossible to define satisfactorily, c) much more influenced by environment than it is by genetics, and d) inasmuch as it is influenced by genetics, influenced by multiple genes, each of which is also likely to have other effects if you tweak it. For more on all of this, I recommend Superior: The Return of Race Science by Angela Saini, and the series of podcasts on "G" (general intelligence) from Radiolab.

So the genetics makes no sense whatsoever; best to just accept that and enjoy the ride. Because it is quite a ride, and (unlike some other time travel books I could mention), even if the author has little understanding of genetics, she's spent a good deal of effort on the history part. The action mostly takes place in the mid 1960s, around the civil rights movement, a Beatles tour of the US, and the KKK's response to these events. (While they used Lennon's "more popular than Jesus" comment, taken out of context, as a pretext, the KKK's dislike of the Beatles apparently had much more to do with their opposition to segregation.) I make the disclaimer that I don't have expert knowledge of this time period or these events, but I had the impression that the author had done her research thoroughly and thought about it deeply, and woven it into a strong story with characters who feel human and multidimensional. They're not always self-consistent - for example, the researcher with an expertise in gender studies, who is with a toxic narcissist of a boyfriend who uses all the classic belittling, projecting, and isolating tactics on her - but this is part of what makes them feel real.

Time travel always has the potential of becoming confusing, but I didn't feel confused. Both of the protagonists were interesting, and their plot threads intersected at what felt like the right time, neither too early nor too late. The tension, suspense, and action worked well for me as well, without ever becoming a dumb action movie. It's an intelligent book, but it's not over-impressed with its own intelligence, or trying to be too clever and ending up confusing and pretentious. The heroes set out to do the right thing at potential risk to themselves, while the villains set out to do what benefited them and didn't care about others bearing the cost, which is how I like my heroes and villains. The personal impact of events was handled well; too often, characters just carry on stoically despite terrible trauma, or accept perplexing or distressing events without apparent perplexity or distress, and this book avoids those traps, without becoming overly dramatic or angsty.

I picked this up in part because it's marketed as a new series, though in the same setting as her earlier time-travel books. I only read the first of those, not just because the science was nonsense, but because it hit a few too many well-worn YA tropes for my taste. This isn't as trope-ridden, isn't YA, and although the previous series was clearly a massive part of the background, I followed the story adequately even though I'd only read one of the previous books, and that six years ago.

Something that that first book and this book have in common is that they're well edited, which is refreshing to see. Not tripping over bad copy editing every few pages makes for a much smoother and more enjoyable read.

Overall, then, if you set aside the completely whack genetic science and just put it in mental brackets as a form of magic, this is a strong, well-written and enjoyable book, well above average for characters, storytelling, and copy editing. It thoroughly deserves a spot on my Best of the Year list.

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