Book Details
“Thirty Seconds From Now” by John Chu | The Time Traveler’s Almanac collection
Editors: Ann VanderMeer, Jeff VanderMeer
Total Pages in the collection: 960
Published: March 18, 2014 by Tor Books
My Review
If you had foresight into how a relationship would begin and end (and it will end), would you still jump into it?
Scott has an unusual ability or gift, which gives him insights or impressions as to what possible futures and alternative selves could happen in the future. But this gift isn’t as nearly as useful or cool as one would think, in fact, Scott had taken up juggling in order to block out much of these futuristic impressions because they all become a huge, blurry nuisance.
However when he catches sight of Tony, one of the few people he can see (and appreciate) clearly, Scott peeks into their probable future, where they’re entangled in a romance. By the end of this short story, Scott has to decide if he’s willing to let events unfold as he’s sensed them, or close the door on ever meeting Tony.
The story was kind of meh for me, though I was intrigued by Scott’s ability. Though as the reader I’m given hints as to Scott’s lack of friends and attachment to others, it didn’t necessarily emotionally hit me, so his decision at the end didn’t have as much impact as it possibly could have.
My Rating:
2.5 out of 5
About The Time Traveler’s Almanac
The Time Traveler’s Almanac is the largest and most definitive collection of time travel stories ever assembled. Gathered into one volume by intrepid chrononauts and world-renowned anthologists Ann and Jeff VanderMeer, this book compiles more than a century’s worth of literary travels into the past and the future that will serve to reacquaint readers with beloved classics of the time travel genre and introduce them to thrilling contemporary innovations.
This marvelous volume includes nearly seventy journeys through time from authors such as Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury, William Gibson, Ursula K. Le Guin, George R. R. Martin, Michael Moorcock, H. G. Wells, and Connie Willis, as well as helpful non-fiction articles original to this volume (such as Charles Yu’s “Top Ten Tips For Time Travelers”).
The Time Traveler’s Almanac Review Group
This review is part of an on-going review series. We’re trying to review a short story per week from The Time Traveler’s Almanac. Please join us and share your thoughts! My partners in crime on this reading adventure includes the following authors and bloggers. Check out their reviews as well:
Knowing your penchant for stories about PEOPLE, I’m not surprised this one didn’t really draw you in. And you’re right – we really had relatively little back history, so didn’t know so much about Scott.
This is a good point. The things you could do with foresight and he doesn’t do those things. That’s why I love reading other people’s posts. Good catch.