T's Stuff: A Time and a Place by Joe Mahoney

Saturday, November 24, 2018

A Time and a Place by Joe Mahoney

Author: Joe Mahoney

Narrator: Joe Mahoney

Length: 10 hours and 33 minutes

Publisher: Five Rivers Publishing

Released: Sep. 21, 2018

Genre: Science Fiction; Time Travel

Barnabus’ nephew is behaving oddly.

Calling upon Doctor Humphrey for assistance has not been particularly helpful because the good doctor’s diagnosis of demonic possession is clearly preposterous. Even the demon currently ensconced on the front-room couch agrees it’s preposterous. But then, how else to explain the portal to another world through which his nephew and Humphrey have just now disappeared?

Barnabus knows their only chance of rescue is for Barnabus J. Wildebear himself to step up and go through that portal.

Thus begins an existential romp across space and time, trampling on Barnabus’ assumptions about causality, free will, identity, good, and evil. Can Barnabus save his nephew - and incidentally, all of humanity?

Joe Mahoney is a writer/broadcaster currently working full-time for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. His first novel, A Time and a Place, was published in October 2017 by Five Rivers Press. His short fiction has been published in Canada, Australia and Greece, and he’s been nominated twice for an Aurora Award, one of Canada’s top awards for science fiction and fantasy, for his work on CBC Radio. He lives in Whitby, Ontario with his wife and two daughters, and their golden retriever and Siberian forest cat.

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Author Joe Mahoney's Top 10 Favorite Works of Science Fiction

The Annubis Gates by Tim Powers

I like anything by Tim Powers, but this is my favourite. Just a hugely enjoyable read with some spectacular scenes and terrific ideas.

The Forever War by Joe Haldeman

I’ve read this book at least three times and I love it each time. I even have a signed copy from Joe himself. Informed by his experiences in Vietnam, he really hit this one out of the park

The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold

Okay, a funny story about this book. I’d heard about The Man Who Folded Himself but had a hard time getting my hands on a copy (this was before the age of Amazon.com). I was at a science fiction convention in Toronto and decided to check out the Dealer’s Room, thinking maybe I’d find a copy in there. I asked one vendor if he happened to have a copy of The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold. The vendor said, “not only do I have a copy of The Man Who Folded Himself, but the author himself is standing right next to you right now.” I turned around, and sure enough, David Gerrold was standing right there. We chatted and he signed my copy. David Gerrold, for those who might not know, wrote the famous classic Star Trek episode The Trouble With Tribbles. It was a great pleasure to meet him. Oh, the the book is terrific, mind-bending time travel fiction.

11/22/63 Stephen King

I prefer Stephen King’s lighter, less horrific fare, and this book qualifies. Just a highly enjoyable romp through time to the era of Kennedy’s presidency.

Replay by Ken Grimwood

This is where my ranking system here isn’t doing proper justice. All of these books should actually be tied for the number one spot. Especially this one! I’ve read this book probably ten times at least. Every read is as enjoyable as the last. I discovered it on a book rack at a subway stop in the early 90s with no idea what a gem I was picking up. It’s one of only three books I’ve read cover to cover in a single day without stopping, it’s that good. (The other two are Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card and The Postman by David Brin).

Time and Again by Jack Finney

A tour de force by Jack Finney. Back in time to visit New York City in the 19th century. Detailed historical, time travel fiction by a master.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Catherine Webb (writing as Claire North)

The ease with which Catherine Webb writes absorbing fiction astonishes and intimidates me. Would that I could write like that. The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August was a classic the instant it was released. A wondrous book.

Lightning by Dean Koontz

My wife and I both love this one by Dean Koontz. One of his best. Gripping time travel fiction.

9. Shadow of Ashland Terence M. Green

Gentle, meditative time travel fiction from Canadian author Terence M. Green, who used to take a year off every now and then (from his day job as a teacher) to write books. I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Terence for my day job at the time. One of the books we discussed was Shadow of Ashland, which I purchased immediately after our conversation, and I was not disappointed.

The Second Gate by Brian Wyvill

Full disclosure: Brian Wyvill is my brother-in-law. But I would not have included this, his first novel, if I did not enjoy and appreciate it. It’s a rollicking good time travel and sea-faring adventure, with a bit of rock climbing thrown in for good measure.