M. J. ` Keeley

It's been over one hundred years since the last world war. The resulting destruction of the planet, cities and infrastructure saw a dramatic decrease in the population. A special metagenics program was undertaken to create test-tube babies to ensure the continuation of the human race. And so an underclass was born.

Dr Dyrne Samson, former university professor of history, is one such metagenic (although this is well hidden from his colleagues and the few friends he has). Haunted by the death of a metagenic student, he left the university to undertake a career in a secretive government department responsible for travelling back in time to observe history in action. Dyrne struggles with his guilt concerning his student's death and becomes obsessed with the life of the boy's mother, an activist in the area of metagenic rights, as he looks for ways to influence the past.

Recurring themes in the story are our inability to learn from the mistakes of the past, bigotry, and social change. The characters are believable and likeable. I found them very easy to relate to, but perhaps this is because i have a friend who is very like the Dyrne character (yes, a professor, but not of history), whom I care for very much (rather like the Phoebe character in the book) so I find his Asperges characteristics understandable.

"Turning the Hourglass" by M.J.Keeley is a captivating and engaging read that will appeal to lovers of science fictions and social history alike. It is well written and easy to read, with vivid descriptions of time and place. Full marks to the editorial team; I didn't notice a single error in the type - unusual in this day and age.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be sure to look out for future works by this author. Get this one.

I received a copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer's Group in exchange for a fair and honest review.… (lisätietoja)