Somewhere in Time

By: Richard Matheson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Written by one of the grand masters of modern fantasy, Somewhere in Time is the moving, romantic story of a modern man whose powerful love for a woman he has never met allows him to literally transcend time.

A dying young playwright staying in a turn-of-the-century hotel becomes captivated by a painting of a beautiful stage actress from the previous century. Obsessed, he begins to study everything he can about the woman and her time and becomes convinced he belongs with her. Through self-hypnosis, he transports himself to 1896, where he finds the soul mate he was fated to meet. But will he be able to stay?

Somewhere in Time won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel and was the basis for the 1980 cult classic movie starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.

©1980 Richard Matheson (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The author who influenced me the most as a writer was Richard Matheson.” (Stephen King)

“Stylish and gripping, [Richard Matheson’s] stories not only entertain but touch the mind and heart.” (Dean Koontz)

“Richard Matheson is one of the most respected living American fantasy/science fiction/horror writers…Matheson could not write a bad book if he tried.” (Hartford Courant)

Fantastic

It’s always been hard for me to read this story. After seeing the movie in 1980 I looked high and low for this book. Always looking under the wrong title until clearly with the advent of VHS I saw it was “Bid Time Return”. Even after I found the correct title it took me several years to find it. I finally did. It immediately became my favorite book. As I’ve always been a fan of Matheson I find this to be his best work. When I found the audio book I had to get it. Would’ve preferred it read by Jane Seymour since it’s title is Somewhere in Time. Still, having listened to it again it always fills me with sadness. I highly recommend it.

Somewhere in Time

First book where I found the movie version to be so much better. Greatly disappointed by the book. The first part was as slow as trudging through muddy clay.

The movie is one of my favorites,,,probably in the top 10. I was looking forward to listening to the book. I was surprised at how badly the story was told. At times it was tedious.

a must read for all- but especially lovers of the movie!

what an incredibly unique story, i’ve been a big fan of the movie for years and finally decided to read the book and it did not disappoint.

Great story, wrong narrator

This is the first I've heard the story that one of my favorite movies was based on. I LOVE this story but I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. The narrator read every sentence as if it was the end of the story- with a question mark at the end. It's rather difficult to explain but it soured my listening.

Movie vs Book

This was one instance where Hollywood actually improved the story. I read the book because I had (wrongly) assumed it would be better than the movie version. Elise McKenna comes across as a timid innocent woman rather than the stronger character in the movie version. There was a lot a repetition and I struggled to finish it, but I did. Maybe I didn't like it as much as I wanted to because I had higher expectations since I loved the movie.

Can not be fiction. This kind of love must have come from reality.

It was well written with such great care in character development that you feel as if you were there with them. I am quite sure that many a listener had an emotional trip complete with feelings of joy bringing smiles and sadness bringing tears. This is true even for the anger aroused when the character is taken against his will by two hired thugs. I found myself balling my own fists and wanting to free Richard. The description of the hotel, her train, and process of time travel locks the reader into believing that against all reason time travel is possible. At least in this instance it is believable, if only for an instant.
There is very little that I would change, though some would make the ending to be a new life for the characters an thus a change in history. The author's ending leaves the possibility of the story being real, and the reader or listener can make the end they want.

Snore....

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. I couldn't wait for it to be over. I used the 2x speed just to get to the end faster.

Would you ever listen to anything by Richard Matheson again?

YES. He has many other fine books, like I Am Legend. This was hopefully just an anomaly.

What aspect of Scott Brick’s performance would you have changed?

The narration was fine, but couldn't save this dull, dull tale, which had no point whatsoever.

Was Somewhere in Time worth the listening time?

Nope.

Any additional comments?

Would be great to fall asleep to...zzzzz....

Favorite movie all time!

I haven't read the book yet but if it's anything like the movie I've watched a zillion times it has to be great and in more details as most books are from a movie or vice versa. Can't wait to get started!

Worst narrator ever!

I listened to this book because I love the movie and usually the book is better but not in this case! The main character came across as really pathetic. I think a lot of it was due to the terrible narration. The narrator had a really fake dramatic way of reading that grated on my nerves so much I almost abandoned listening several times.

The narration is fine it is the structure

Several of the reviews mention that the narration was monotone that is not the narrator that is the structure and the emotion of the beginning of the story. The narrator does a wonderful job displaying those emotions of the character. I have listened to several other books that Scott Brick has narrated and his performance has been great so don't disregard this story due to those reviews the beginning is a bit slow and dry but it gets better. I will update my review when I have finished the story but so far it is good.