Sean Ferrell - The Man in the Empty Suit
Man in the Empty Suit - Sean Ferrell
SOHO Press 2013
Sean Ferrell has created an apocalyptic world, where the only reliable thing for one particular time traveler is the yearly convention. This particular convention is special in that the only attendees are the time traveler and everyone of himself, about 80 in all, as the youngsters aren't allowed to attend.
Secrets run rampant between the elders and youngsters, as no one cares to share what is to come, so conversations are limited to the events taking place in previous conventions by the same individuals. And as the narrator moves through the years, he discovers he can manipulate small moments which begin to multiply as the years pass. Or is it just his imagination and over indulgence of alcohol that has led him to this conclusion?
Then one year, it all goes horribly wrong. At age 39 he witnesses his next year's version murdered in an elevator. As time ticks away, he must discover how to avoid being killed, and even with their very existence at stake, his older selves seem to become more of a detriment than help.
If that last paragraph was confusing, rest assured that the author does a fantastic job of keeping each of his protagonist’s selves separate and easily recognized throughout the fantastical tale.
My favorite part was the library job, where wheelbarrow's full of books were picked up out among the city blocks, carted back to the local library and filled into space where needed, while other's quickly pulled books to fill orders creating a never ending supply of empty spaces. Perpetual motion of books made my head spin faster than the multiple instances of the same character.
A quirky take on time travel, one man's isolation and self-discovery of what really matters most in life.
SOHO Press 2013
Sean Ferrell has created an apocalyptic world, where the only reliable thing for one particular time traveler is the yearly convention. This particular convention is special in that the only attendees are the time traveler and everyone of himself, about 80 in all, as the youngsters aren't allowed to attend.
Secrets run rampant between the elders and youngsters, as no one cares to share what is to come, so conversations are limited to the events taking place in previous conventions by the same individuals. And as the narrator moves through the years, he discovers he can manipulate small moments which begin to multiply as the years pass. Or is it just his imagination and over indulgence of alcohol that has led him to this conclusion?
Then one year, it all goes horribly wrong. At age 39 he witnesses his next year's version murdered in an elevator. As time ticks away, he must discover how to avoid being killed, and even with their very existence at stake, his older selves seem to become more of a detriment than help.
If that last paragraph was confusing, rest assured that the author does a fantastic job of keeping each of his protagonist’s selves separate and easily recognized throughout the fantastical tale.
My favorite part was the library job, where wheelbarrow's full of books were picked up out among the city blocks, carted back to the local library and filled into space where needed, while other's quickly pulled books to fill orders creating a never ending supply of empty spaces. Perpetual motion of books made my head spin faster than the multiple instances of the same character.
A quirky take on time travel, one man's isolation and self-discovery of what really matters most in life.