Ceecee's Reviews > This Time Tomorrow

4 -5 stars rounded up.

As Alice Stern's 40th birthday is fast approaching, she ruminates on the time it takes to die as she watches her beloved father, novelist Leonard doing exactly that. Without giving too much away she finds a portal which transports her back to her 16th birthday in 1996! I find myself deeply envious of the opportunities this affords Alice especially in her relationship with Leonard.

I love Emma Straub’s books so I guess I am very much the target audience for this one! The quality of her writing, the wry tone, the incisive nature of Alice’s thoughts effortlessly pull you into her world and you find yourself totally accepting the concept of the novel. It’s a poignant and emotional story as Alice reflects and becomes introspective on her life and what she has and hasn’t achieved.

Alice at 16 and at 40 are both wonderfully portrayed. It’s interesting seeing the decisions she makes , what leads to them and how she feels towards her peers as she peers through 40 year old eyes. All the characters are well fleshed out and so easy to visualise but the standout feature is the relationship between Alice and Leonard, what a wonderful man he is. I love that it gives her the chance to ask him the questions she never did as a 16-year-old, because why would you? I am envious that I haven’t the opportunity to do the same!

The other ‘stars’ of the show are the 1990s and New York City. The back to the future style trip evokes wonderful and multiple memories especially of film and music, the 90s being all about Oasis for me! The setting in New York City especially Pomander Walk where her father lives is full of charm and atmosphere but it’s very much a love letter to this vibrant and exciting city. The author transports me back to my trip there!

It’s a delightful journey, beautifully written and I finish it with a lump in my throat. You never know what’s coming and you just have to be happy with what is there.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Random House/Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.