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Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. Full Cast and Crew. What is Emily Mortimer Watching? Share this Rating Title: Time and Time Again 8. Use the HTML below. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. Photos Add Image Add an image Do you have any images for this title? Learn more More Like This. All Wrong TV Series House of Demons Attack of the Southern Fried Zombies Alone I Video Above the Fold The Girls Were Doing Nothing The Book of Secrets Briana Evigan, James Remar, K.
Edit Cast Cast overview, first billed only: Edit Storyline In order to find yourself, sometimes you need to figure how to lose yourself. Add the first question. For a woman to become the Master of Trinity, she would no longer resemble a woman, but an ugly, mythical creature, a she-man. But, soon, too soon, she dissolves into a mere caricature who, when challenged about a historical accuracy of an event, responds with a resounding "Whatever!
It seems that Elton doesn't quite know what to do with the McCluskey and consequently she never gets off the train heading to Sarajevo. By now, I started to wonder why anyone would bother spending a small fortune to study history at Cambridge when all they need to do is read Wikipedia, particularly when Stanton starts to wax lyrical about 'the brave and noble' Archduke, who 'like him, had guts.
Stanton fulfils his mission in Sarajevo, but not quite as he planned. You see, it is the women. They are everywhere and it is their fault that he is distracted and makes moronic errors. First, it was the sneaky McCluskey. Then, there's the dead wife who haunts him through time and space. In her honour, he has to prove he is the man she once married 'cool, but not cold'.
This is why he saves a Turkish woman and her daughter in Istanbul or is it Constantinople. Elton annoyingly keeps switching between the two and is kind to a pretty flower girl in Sarajevo. Both events threaten to have disastrous consequences on his mission. And then he gets a 'second chance' with Bernadette, Irish suffragette, who Stanton decides is pretty before he even sees her. And of course, she is not only independent and bi-sexual, she is all strawberry blonde hair and emerald eyes. And pubic hair yes, nothing quite captures Stanton's attention like pubic hair of It is love at first, convenient sight.
Of course, we soon learn that Bernadette is only pretending at being a suffragette "Well, I don't know what life you think it is I've dropped, Hugh. I'm the original bored and pointless rich girl. Such a small woman. Somehow, this runaway train makes around the sharp bend and we meet Katie or KT, another time traveller. Here is the most interesting character, who, unfortunately, arrives too late. I'm sure I will one day forgive Elton for giving Stanton the power of a male gaze to turn a tortured soul to a 'fine, noble face' "Stanton found himself wondering if she might even be beautiful".
We get a glimpse of an alternative history, of an Orwellian world that was the result of Stanton's actions, the butterfly effect at its most frightening. A glimpse of another story that should have been told instead. Time and Time Again promised a lot, but failed to deliver. I wonder what this story would have been like had Elton fully unleashed his satire and his acerbic wit -think Pratchett meets HG Wells. Or, how powerful and poignant it would have been had it been told from KT's point of view. Dec 04, Graham rated it it was ok.
The author's style is easy to read. The book's pace is incredibly fast, one can imagine entire sections of the book translating directly into a series of quick cuts in a film. As such it is a page turner and mostly entertaining. However the premise is fundamentally flawed.
Time and time again - Idioms by The Free Dictionary
Even after observing the effect first hand with his interaction with a flower gir The author's style is easy to read. Even after observing the effect first hand with his interaction with a flower girl almost causing an irrecoverable situation. This same blinkered approach is demonstrated by the characters introduced to be members of Chronos in the early stages. Who, despite being touted as some of the greatest historians, mathematicians and philosophers Cambridge have to offer, plan a mission to meddle with history apparently knowing full well that by doing so will have have far reaching and more importantly unpredictable consequences.
The return through time and up to the completion of the first aspect of Stanton's mission is reasonably well developed and fleshed out. After this stage it is a rushed mess of assassination, love and closed time loops. I heard Elton promoting the book on radio and was completely taken with the idea. Unfortunately the idea of re-writing history wasn't enough to make for a good book. Dec 29, Kelly rated it it was amazing Shelves: I was torn while reading this book; I am a girl who loves suspense and usually judge a book on just that, so when this book didn't really have any climatic moments I started to slate it.
I found myself believing everything that was written; I had to pull myself out of this world to readjust back into this one and to realise that the history I was reading wasn't in fact real. I have never experienced that through a book before. Ben Elton is quite simply a genius.
He made me question everything and has affected me so much more than any other writer has before. I now have to go and research our country's history, just to make sure that I know which one is right! Nov 24, Stuart Anderson rated it it was ok. I was very disappointed with this book, particularly after reading so many positive reviews. In this review, I'm going to include information about the ending, so please stop reading now if you don't want to be aware of that.
The premise seemed promising The traditional "hero" who had lost his family being given a magic-like ability to travel to a different world to right the wrongs afflicting the people in his own world as in Frodo, Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter etc. In this story, our hero i I was very disappointed with this book, particularly after reading so many positive reviews. In this story, our hero is going back in time to armed with detailed fore-knowledge of events, modern single-combat training, training in required languages, a working computer!
As a premise, what's not to like? But of course, things inevitably don't go according to plan. Besides having to kill his mentor think Gandalf, Obi Wan, Dumbledore by throwing her off a train, he then has to kill an innocent girl while completing the first of his tasks. Oh well, no big problem It's just what a hero has to do. On a train he meets an impressionable young suffragette and he dazzles her with 21st century pickup lines that would make a modern girl roll her eyes.
She thinks he's amazing for "inventing" such terms as "civil disobedience" and "sexual equality" which she madly writes down for later use and he shags her without the slightest sense of irony. Like shooting fish in a barrel really. Which brings us to his assassination of a major political figure, which he does using a modern high power rifle with telescopic sights from the top of a building at a distance not normally possible in Fish in a barrel.
To cut a long story short, things go pear-shaped and no matter what he does, everything gets worse. He even starts smoking again. When he dies at the end, it seems the message is "no matter what you do, no matter your best intentions, you will be manipulated, you will stuff up and make everything worse So don't even try".
I liked the cover. I thoroughly enjoyed this time travel novel, even if, every now and then, I had to fight the urge to to through it at the wall - but that would have wrecked my phone as I was listening on audio! The question was put to Hugh Stanton "if you could change one thing in history, what would it be? Oh the possibilities are endless. As are the potential reprocessions. His answer is not not the obvious one.
Stanton is possibly the worst prepared time traveller I have ever come across. Some of the charact I thoroughly enjoyed this time travel novel, even if, every now and then, I had to fight the urge to to through it at the wall - but that would have wrecked my phone as I was listening on audio!
Some of the characters in the book are not well thought out. In places the old Ben Elton humour breaks through. Dec 10, Albert Myburgh rated it it was ok. I like Ben Elton and I really wanted to give this book 3 stars, but decided to be strong. And that is exactly what it was: Easy and quick to read I felt a little underwhelmed with it although I did learn a bit more about the events that led to the First World War which was interesting.
Also, the few smart twists toward the end were quite entertaining, however that was about it. The main character Hugh Stanton is nothing more than a hunky piece of cli I like Ben Elton and I really wanted to give this book 3 stars, but decided to be strong. The main character Hugh Stanton is nothing more than a hunky piece of cliched-tortured-soul-jock meat whose personality is as flat at the ending as it is at the start. The author's recreation of a prewar Europe was unconvincing and lacked the rich descriptiveness which could have given the setting a smacking of nostalgic revelry as Stephen King did for the early 60's in " It feels like an entry-level time travelling novel which, although entertaining, is quite forgettable.
A gripping time travelling alternative history yarn. I'm not normally a fan of the sci-fi time travelling genre, but the alternative history scenario caused by stopping the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in lured me in as well as having already ready Ben Elton's The First Casualty and Two Brothers: Elton writes at a breezy pace and although you have some idea of what's going to happen the various twists and turns keep you guessing.
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An enjoyable and relatively qu A gripping time travelling alternative history yarn. An enjoyable and relatively quick read, as well as a fascinating "what if". Be careful what you wish for The premise of this story sucked me in straight away; if you could go back in time and change one thing, what would you change? Anyone who loves History has played at What If? He wants to prevent WWI saving millions and setting the twentieth century on a less destructive path.
Well things were never going to be that straight forward! Added to this is the fact that the author leads us to believe The premise of this story sucked me in straight away; if you could go back in time and change one thing, what would you change? Added to this is the fact that the author leads us to believe one thing when the opposite is true. This is an extremely intelligent and engrossing story that had me hooked til the very last sentence. Dec 04, Willem van den Oever rated it liked it Shelves: Ever since Michael J. It can be bloody dangerous and problematic too.
Here, our hero is called Hugh Stanton, a traumatized loner with a past. Or rather, a future. Having been sent back in time by a shady company, Stanton — an ex-soldier and celebrated adventure — is given a chance to prevent the most catastrophic event of the twentieth century from ever happening at all. Once, the assassination of an arch duke in Sarajevo plunged the world into a terrible war.
But will the century really be saved by stopping a single bullet from being fired? In a good way, though, as it signals from the start how cleverly Elton has plotted out his novel. While at the same time still retaining that adventurous spirit. Tempo-wise, the narrative shocks and bounces like a breaking steam-engine between long dialogue scenes and explosive action sequences. And all the while, Stanton — who started off being such an interesting, troubled lead — refuses to come out of his shell and become a more complex character.
Besides the flat side-characters, never really comes alive in this book either. Studios and producers need little imagination to understand how well this idea could be turned into a feature or TV-show.
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A shame, because Elton has opened up a wonderful opportunity with this concept. Throughout, he continues to be the agent for the mysterious brotherhood. He never really leaves that assignment behind to make his journey more personal. I haven't enjoyed a book as much as this one for ages! Hugh Stanton is an ex-soldier in who has suffered a terrible loss, loosing his wife and children in an awful accident. It seems he has nothing to live for. A meeting with his old professor of history at Cambridge reunites him with his past and a future, a mission linked to Sir Issac Newton's theories of travel in time.
The Professo I haven't enjoyed a book as much as this one for ages! The Professor reveals a plan to use Newton's secret passed on by professor to professor in Cambridge to use his theory of being able to travel back in time to to specifically stop the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and then on to kill the Kaiser, leader of Imperial Germany. The aim to stop the First World War from ever happening and create an alternative 20th century, peaceful and more prosperous. What follows is a superb thriller of historical proportions, entertaining, riveting and keeps you hooked from the beginning to the highly unexpected twist at the end.
I won't reveal anymore other than saying this story doesn't end how you think it will Jan 24, Melliott rated it it was ok Shelves: At the risk of being repetitive, I will echo others' reviews when I say that I liked the premise but the story fell a little flat. I had trouble getting into it from the beginning. There wasn't enough lead-up to the involvement with the Chronos people. I disliked the character of McCluskey from her first appearance and never changed my mind on that. The protagonist, Hugh, was self-involved and a bit arrogant, leaving his development flat and two-dimensional in some ways; and despite the saga of At the risk of being repetitive, I will echo others' reviews when I say that I liked the premise but the story fell a little flat.
The protagonist, Hugh, was self-involved and a bit arrogant, leaving his development flat and two-dimensional in some ways; and despite the saga of a continuous months-long prep period for traveling back in time, the minute he "got there" he proceeded to use so many anachronistic bits of language designed to betray his strangeness that it was obvious he didn't give much weight or importance to his preparation.
I thought the romance was stupidly contrived, and was presented in quite a shallow manner. An adult case of insta-love, as they call it in YA fiction. And Hugh's animadversions on the contrast between female grooming habits of vs. The best bit of the book was the last pages, when he discovers he's not the first time traveler to attempt a correction to history, and it's too bad there wasn't more focus on that instead of all the tedious detail in the middle. The protagonist was repeatedly described as having straight blond hair. So why is the guy on the cover pictured as a brunette?
Gee, I started out thinking I had liked this book a lot more than I did, as it turns out! This one was only a fairly middle of the road read for me. While I liked Hugh a lot and the novel's premise, and I found the two main female characters in this book to be be poorly developed, which is a pet peeve of mine in books. Professor Cluskey seemed to be the stereotypical cold and calculating female academic who doesn't have any children.
This is a fairly common trope in books. I don't think that writing her in this manner was necessary to the plot. I'm also curious as to whether folks felt This one was only a fairly middle of the road read for me. I'm also curious as to whether folks felt like the deliberate killing of Hugh's family was really necessary. Bernadette before she betrays Hugh to the authorities on the other hand seems a bit too good to be true. I did like that Hugh came from a different version of the 20th century than our own. On the other hand, the plot at the end of the book with all its different versions of history got a bit convoluted.
Time travel novels have a tendency in my experience to get that way, if not extremely well done. This was a quick fun read, but I didn't find it as good as many folks in my book group did. Dec 15, Paul rated it really liked it. Closer to a 4 and a half stars. I'd know Ben Elton more for his comedy turns for Young Ones and Black Adder but this is definitely a very different approach for him.
A very interesting twist on the what if concept for alternative history with academics being presented with theopportunity to drop someone from the 21st century into to reshape the 20th century into a better ,less warlike period. Stanton , the main character is very good, and there are a few interesting twists and turns , withy Closer to a 4 and a half stars.
Stanton , the main character is very good, and there are a few interesting twists and turns , withy a couple of big ones getting dropped in at the end just as you think its all finishing up. Ben Eltons knowledge of History also brings a lot to the table. His research shows quite well in the book. All in all a really good alternative history He is such an interesting writer. Also he can change very quickly there I was going along nicely when wham.
time and time again
Literally, it fell open and I found myself saying "I didn't expect that!!! I love stories that can do that to you. Didn't want it to finish. Nov 14, Jeanette rated it it was amazing. This has now leapt up to the top five, and may go higher, once I've had time to digest the story. All of the What Ifs involved in time travel are here, neatly knitted into a fascinating, fast paced alternative history of the twentieth century, and how it could have been if the First World war had been averted. Similarities to Stephen Kings Feb 27, Amena rated it really liked it.
This is a very easy to read book but will make you really think about life and history - if we were to go back in time and make changes, would it be for the better or would it have disastrous consequences? Would it truly be for the better or for the worse? You can see the philosophical debates this would bring if it was part of a book club read because it has left my mind thinking and analysing. The research that must have gone into this book is immense. The history is detailed and very rich, de This is a very easy to read book but will make you really think about life and history - if we were to go back in time and make changes, would it be for the better or would it have disastrous consequences?
The history is detailed and very rich, describing events from , historic people and significant events. I loved the historical features which I will happily say make up a lot of the book so if you don't like history this will not be for you. There is a lot of admiration and respect for the main character Hugh, who has lost his wife and kids to undertake this mission where he goes back in time to stop the Great War from happening in an attempt to make a better world.
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You do have to buy into the whole time travelling element otherwise again, you won't be able to get into the book as such. The first chapter grips you from the off and you cannot help but keep turning the pages. The ending was a surprise which you wouldn't have guessed. This is my second Ben Elton read and definitely won't be my last. Oct 15, Connie rated it it was amazing Shelves: Okay, I have to say that this book isn't perfect. Heck I guess no book is. However, I feel like I must give this one 5 stars I mean the whole butterfly effect thing can drive you mental if you dwell on it too long If you dare to add historical factors in it But I say screw a Okay, I have to say that this book isn't perfect.
But I say screw all that This book was a fantastic read for me because I couldn't stop thinking about it. I continue to think about it now that I have finished the last sentence. I looked for ways to mention this book and the concept in my everyday conversation. I don't mean that it's hard to follow.
I simply mean that the more I think about this book and the possibilities I can't stop thinking of the ramifications of the concepts this book brings forth. I've read a few time travel books and have always enjoyed them. In this, Elton has giving us a story of a hero that is trying to revisit history for the greater good of the entire planet.
Because my mind won't shut down.
Even now I am still scrolling through the endless possibilities that lie within this novel. Imagining past worlds and future worlds and all of the players that are on the stage of making history So really, are people made by history? Or do people make history? Is history just a matter of being in the right place at the right time?
If something happens and a key player is no longer there I won't say more than that There are some really interesting stuff that's going on. I will say that the entire book grabs you from the start and it's a steady stream of happy reading Finally this book has loads of great quotes so I wish to leave you with a few The debates always degenerated into loud, name-calling battles between the Marxists, who contended that much of history was inevitable, the result of preordained economic and material forces, and the romantics, who believed that history was made by individuals and that a single stomach ache or an undelivered love letter could have changed everything" "'Proof?
What proof can I give beyond the fact that logic requires it? It ticks aways from the beginning until the end. Time is not linear. It does not go along on a steady course like a road from London to York. It does not have a beginning and it does not have an end, nor is it the same to one person as it is to another, nor to two planets or a million starts. It is different in all circumstances. Because it is relative. Each smile a twisting knife. Each thing of beauty an added burden of pain. Deep down people want fire and brimstone. But you see I could never give up the turps. Nov 04, Sara rated it liked it Shelves: Being a huge fan of Blackadder with a keen interest in all things time travel, Ben Elton's Time and Time Again caught my eye in the book store.
Initially I left the store without a copy, choosing instead to purchase some five other books like the materialistic machine that I am before continuing on with my life, but several days later I found myself drawn back to the book store through a strange need to read this timey wimey thing. Reader, I bought it. And now I'm pondering the alternate history Being a huge fan of Blackadder with a keen interest in all things time travel, Ben Elton's Time and Time Again caught my eye in the book store.
And now I'm pondering the alternate history that could have been had I not bought it. That is not to say that Time and Time Again is a bad book - it's a reasonably well-thought out tale of one Hugh Stanton, soldier wonderboy, internet celebrity and Cambridge graduate. Stanton because we must bloke-ily refer to him in the third person by his last name yes, I just made the word 'bloke-ily' up is chosen by the disciples of Isaac Newton to stand in a room in Constantinople and be sent back to to change the course of history that has lead to being a terrible year for humanity.
The concept is intriguing and the pace is quick, however the story at times felt hollow when moving from A to B or B to A, as it were. We are told that is a terrible year, what with those dang kids and their cell phones and the internet and rain and things, but I'm not convinced.
Elton writes in a brief way, maintaining a quick pace and speeding through thoughts quickly, however this at times left me wanting more by way of explanation. The world building was lacking in the modern , with the world perhaps only saved by our observational knowledge of the time providing a foggy canvas for Stanton's world to minutely build upon. The characters themselves are also rather flat, with Stanton seeming no more than a tall and supposedly handsome beefcake whose actions largely revolve around the women in his life.
The women are no more multi-dimensional, all being fairly one-sided caricatures - the crazy old lady, the good wife, the suffragette, the I-don't-even-know-because-she-wasn't-fleshed-out-enough. The most believable characters were the real historical figures, mere pawns in Stanton's journey, but still larger than life. The premise of the story itself, however, is nicely executed. The twists keep the story interesting, and while I didn't see them coming, they feel like a natural progression of the idea.
I found myself skim-reading a lot of Stanton's repetitive and superfluous thoughts but stuck with it to find out where it all would end.