"Time for Alexander"

[Jay]

I'm always interested in new fiction about Alexander, so is anyone familiar with the book "Time for Alexander" by Jennifer Macaire (book one in a series of seven to come)? Apparently it's about a time travelling journalist who goes back in time to interview Alexander, only to fall in love with him and become trapped in his time (and also have his child). I was considering purchasing it, but not until I had heard from you Alexanderphiles that it was any good. Any comments on it?

[susan]

Although I know its wrong to pre-judge a book before I've looked at it, your synopsis makes me suspect that it might be rather lightweight - I wonder if it's being published to ride on the back of the interest generated by the coming Alexander films. Does the child come back to the present and become a new world conqueror, perhaps ? Maybe you could read it and review it for us here on the forum ?RegardsSusan

[Jay]

Well, since I believe it's published by an Australian company (I can't find it offered by any of the major online book stores, amazon.com, etc.), I don't want to pay both the price of the book and the cost of having it shipped to North America unless others had found it to be a good book. As for being lightweight, entirely possible, judging by the excerpt at the site below...http://www.mtbca.com/timeforalexander.htmlTypical romance novel prose...but might have some merit, especially if the author thoroughly did her research about Alexander and ancient life in general. I'll see if I can locate a copy at a some online secondhand bookstore at some point. But, should anyone else come across a copy, please let us know your opinion.

[susan]

I think the excerpt probably provides sufficient evidence !Susan

[marcus]

Interesting, I've come across this before. If I recall correctly, Jennifer came into the forum herself and gave a plug for the book, 'cos I remember following a link to read some of it.Can't remember what I thought of it, apart from the fact that I didn't like the premise - but that's my problem, as I just don't like time travel books. Same way I don't like books with children as the heroes, as a rule (which is why I never read Enid Blyton).All the bestMarcus

[karen]

Hi Companions:I get enough of an idea just from excerpts on the publisher's site (it's small press) to give my verdict.The premise: our heroine, Ashley, signs up for a special program in which journalists are "beamed" back in time, for 20 hours at a time, to interview historical figures. Her choice is Alexander, she meets him, they fall in love, and he pulls her out of the return beam, stranding her in his time. She has to be very careful not to alter history in any way, or else the time authorities will "erase" her, but nonetheless she marries Alexander, has his baby, the baby gets kidnapped by Darius and then Bessos, and much adventure ensues.If you're looking for a written-out personal fantasy so self-indulgent it seems almost sublime, look no further. When an author spends several paragraphs on a physical description of Alexander ("in the hollow of his throat I could see a pulse beat"), you get a good idea of where she's coming from. You know this is not going to be a searching exploration of the issues of power or empire or divinity, or a slice of life that illuminates the nature of the era. Nor is it going to be strong on plausibility (if Ashley must not change history, why does she let Alexander impregnate her? If the time authorities can erase her, why can't they retrieve her?) or historical accuracy (the research is there, but not well-integrated). With regard to characterization, her Alexander is very much the standard "girl-meets-cad" romance-novel male ("You're afraid of me. Good.") and does not come across at all as if he has the fate of armies and nations on his mind. For writing style, Renault it ain't.The author is inviting you to indulge along with her in her ATG-titillation, that's all. People who are into that will love these books.Maybe I'm being harsh, but this sort of thing offends me at some level.Love & peace,
Karen

[Linda]

I bought it a while ago, but I don't think I could write a review - I would have to read it. I skimmed it, and Karen's assessment is pretty accurate. It is practically fan-fiction, with all the self-indulgence that genre encourages...the time traveller is called "Ashley of the Silver Sandles" by Alexander, as she shimmers when she rematerialises or something (how easy it is to be special when you are from a more technologically advanced world), and, get this, not only does she have an affair with Alexander, Hephaestion falls in love with her as well! Bingo.I think it was the nude swimming behind Alexander's tent (where there was a swimming pool apparantly) that made me stop reading. It may be worth persevering with, and it was only a few quid.Linda

[rochelle]

Having read the excerpt, I think there is no way on earth I would be tempted to read further. If this is a private fantasy the author had, she should have kept it that way.Rochelle

[marcus]

Actually, Linda, it sounds as if it definitely is *not* worth persevering with......although I'd like to know more about that nude swimming scene! :-)All the bestMarcus

[jan]

Thanks for the site. I loved the style, and it is so romantic. You should own it, and I hope I will be able to obtain a copy of it and the successive issues. Jennifer has me under her spell now. Thanks so much for sharing this.Jan

[jan]

Karen, Ouch! I just loved it. Sounds like Melanie to me.Jan

[jan]

Hi Jay,I found all the necessary data to purchase the book. I liked the book review as the critic gave it an 8 out of 10 rating. The review is quite enticing, and I was enchanted while reading her prose.Time tunnels made me think of Melanie of the Marie Antoinette website. Proof positive that ideas spread like wildfire, don't they?I am very happy when someone can take a germ of an idea and turn it into a bouquet. As Alexander is such an exciting subject to so many, I would imagine that this series will find its way to all the fans of Alexander's bookshelves.Jan

[wmp]

Marcus - a confession... Not only have I read
"Time for Alexander" but I've just read the next
episode "Heroes in the Dust"... when I feel
strong enough, I will do a review...yours,just returned from holiday in Vergina & Mieza
(where it rained a lot & I read a good deal of
books, some of them good, some bad, some
quite scary)...wmp

[gahauser]

Jay, hang in there. There's another new fiction book looming around the corner.

[marcus]

I look forward to your review with baited breath...I would just like to point out that all my comments are based on my profound dislike for the kind of fiction that "Time for Alexander" appears to be, not a judgement on the quality of writing itself. I thought I'd slip that in just in case the libel lawyers are on the prowl :-)All the bestMarcus