Richard Matheson wrote one
of the most appealing stories I’ve ever read/seen. It’s a story that floats
into my mind over the years. For me, the endurance of the tale is tied to
several things other than the romance it describes. But that’s very well done
as well.
Somewhere in Time (1975; original book title is Bid Time Return) is the story of a dying man who falls in love with a woman he
has never met, in fact cannot meet, since she is a portrait of a famous actress
from the previous century. He is drawn again and again to her picture. He seeks
additional information and pictures of her. An obsession takes hold. The movie omits the brain tumor.
The biggest hook, for me,
is time travel. What does one do if one falls in love with a woman long dead?
If you’re an accomplished modern fantasy writer, you figure out a credible
strategy for bridging the decades, and let your hero make the trip. I’m not
giving anything away here, because surely from the early pages it’s pretty
obvious Richard has to meet Elise.
The setting for most of the
book is the very real, luxurious, and classic hotel, the Hotel del Coronado, in
San Diego, a place I have spent many days. It is elegance personified, even in
the modernization the Del has had. The setting for the movie is the fictional
The Grand Hotel in Illinois? Michigan? Wisconsin?
The book was made into a 1979
movie starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve. I was surprised to learn
that the movie I saw IRT (in real time) is now considered a cult classic.
Feeling your age, anyone? Apparently, like The
Rocky Horror Picture Show, fans gather yearly to honor the wonderful movie
they love.
The differences between the
book and the movie (I stopped counting after a dozen) ranged from small (room
number, lake vs ocean, added Arthur character) to huge (no brain tumor, Elise
giving young Richard a watch, timeline forwarded 16 years). Whereas I preferred
the book to the movie (as I typically do), the movie has its own charm and
niche. And Elise’s dresses are worth watching, if nothing else!
Elise is an acclaimed actress
who is performing at the Del in 1896. Richard plots out how he can arrive on
time to see her performance and to declare his love. Of course, there are a few
impediments, his brain tumor, for one, that make the planning and execution
difficult. His time travel method almost makes you think you could do
that-almost. Also, what does one say
to a woman who doesn’t know you exist and wonders why you are being so forward
in contradiction of 19th century etiquette? Will he remain in her
time or will he bring her back to his? Did he even cross the timeline or is it
a delusion from his sick brain.
This love story across the decades
resonates with us because we all want to believe in eternal love, right? That
there is one person we’ll love above all others. That one would do anything for
someone heesh loves. That nothing can keep true love from consummation.
How does it end? Does their
love endure across the decades? Can this star-crossed couple achieve happiness?
I’m not telling. Read Somewhere in Time
and see the movie. They are both
well worth your time. (Okay, the movie is a little sappy. DH left off
watching.)
Caution: There is another
book with the same title, also a time travel romance, but I haven’t read it.
Look for the Matheson title and let me know what you thought of it. Does it haunt you, too?
Bloggers love it when
readers share the post with others. If you would do that, I’d be most
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Facebook:
One of the most poignant loves stories of all time is SOMEWHERE IN TIME, both
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A #lovestory for the ages. Review of SOMEWHERE IN TIME from @RomanceRighter http://bit.ly/2wzkSTN
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