Timeline | Literary Precedents

Timeline Literary Precedents

Timeline marks a turn away from modern and postmodern novels of discontent and disorganization, and a return to classical Romanticism. The medieval European setting facilitates a return to the epic tale and the chivalric romance. Traditionally, the hero of the epic slays the enemy and dies valiantly, as in Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The return to equilibrium is not quite complete because Marek stays behind and there are notes of regret as well as satisfaction with his decision to do so. The plot follows the typical disturbance of equilibrium at the beginning (Professor Johnston gets lost in the past), a chronicle of the struggle (Chris, Kate and Marek enter the past to retrieve Johnston), and finally a return to balance that concludes the novel (everyone returns to their proper time periods). Although ITC still exists and will still pursue research in quantum travel, Timeline closes with...
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