Time and Again (Finney novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Jack Finney |
| Products | Illustrated novel |
Time and Again is a 1970 illustrated novel authored by American writer Jack Finney, centering on a man who journeys from 1970s New York City back to the year 1882 through a covert U.S. government experiment. The book incorporates numerous historical illustrations, many sourced from authentic period materials, and has attained cult status. Some historians and preservation advocates credit it with increasing public awareness of New York City's architectural legacy.
Although often categorized as science fiction due to its time-travel concept, reviewers emphasize its strong historical, romantic, and nostalgic qualities, pointing out that the speculative element functions more as a storytelling device rather than a scientific explanation.
A follow-up novel, From Time to Time (1995), was released close to the end of Finney's life.
Background
Jack Finney began crafting Time and Again in the late 1950s, inspired by his interest in vintage photographs and newspaper clippings related to New York City.
His own experiences living in New York during the 1940s while working in advertising agencies influenced the creation of the protagonist Simon Morley.
In an author's note, Finney highlighted his dedication to historical accuracy, basing his depiction of 1880s Manhattan on thorough research and authentic period photographs. Elements such as horsecar lines, elevated train stations, and exhibits at the former Astor House were drawn from genuine sources, though some details were modified for narrative coherence. Finney acknowledged intentional anachronisms, humorously admitting he occasionally shifted building completion dates to suit the story’s needs.
Development and research
To authentically portray 1880s New York City, Finney undertook extensive research utilizing microfilm archives and museum collections. To bolster the novel's realism, he integrated historical photographs and illustrations primarily obtained from the Museum of the City of New York (MCNY), along with contributions from institutions like The New-York Historical Society and private archives such as Brown Brothers and Culver Pictures. Some images credited to Simon Morley’s character originated from Culver Pictures collections.
Finney meticulously synchronized key plot points with actual historical dates. The story’s climax—a fire at the Old New York World Building—is set on January 31, 1882, coinciding with the real date when the building burned down. Earlier scenes take place in early January 1882, while subsequent social gatherings occur in February. This attention to chronological detail paired with period visuals reflects Finney’s commitment to merging historical fact with fiction for an immersive portrayal of 1880s New York.
Plot
In November 1970, Simon Morley, an advertising artist, is recruited by U.S. Army Major Ruben Prien for a clandestine project investigating whether self-hypnosis can enable people to travel back in time. Simon's involvement is driven by personal reasons: his girlfriend Kate holds a mysterious letter dated 1882 connected to a devastating fire that destroyed the World Building.
Simon requests permission to travel back to New York City in 1882 to witness the mailing of this letter firsthand. The project secures an apartment in the then-under-construction Dakota building as a historically appropriate setting for his self-hypnosis sessions. Simon successfully makes a brief journey back in time and later returns accompanied by Kate. Together they observe the letter being sent and trace its origin to 19 Gramercy Park.
After returning to 1970, Simon undergoes examination and is encouraged to continue his participation. Back in 1882, he lodges with Jake Pickering—the individual who mailed the letter—and uncovers Pickering’s blackmail scheme targeting developer Andrew Carmody. Simon develops feelings for Julia Charbonneau, niece of their landlady, but faces competition from Pickering.
Meanwhile, another participant’s unauthorized alteration of Denver’s past raises concerns; Dr. Danziger resigns over ethical objections but is overridden by superiors. Simon returns once more to 1882 where Pickering and Julia appear engaged. Simon exposes Pickering as a blackmailer; their confrontation triggers a massive fire at the former New York World Building. Simon and Julia narrowly escape while Pickering vanishes.
Two days later, police accuse Simon and Julia of arson and murder in a frame-up orchestrated by Inspector Thomas Byrnes. They evade capture by hiding inside the arm of what would become the Statue of Liberty in Madison Square Park—a historically accurate setting.
Initially skeptical of Simon’s account, Julia experiences 1970 firsthand through time travel, witnessing dramatic changes over ninety years. Upon returning to 1882, she chooses to remain there where she feels a stronger connection than in her original time.
Simon reports most events but omits mention of Julia’s visit. The project assigns him a mission to alter history by exposing Pickering’s influence on President Grover Cleveland—potentially preventing U.S. involvement with Cuba and subsequent geopolitical developments like Fidel Castro’s rise. However, after consulting Danziger, Simon hesitates due to unpredictable ramifications.
Ultimately, Simon takes decisive action by preventing Danziger’s parents from meeting in 1882, ensuring Danziger is never born and thus averting the time-travel project itself. He then walks toward Gramercy Park and Julia, leaving behind 1970 forever.
Reception and legacy
When Time and Again was published in 1970, it garnered positive critical attention but experienced only moderate commercial success, partly because Finney's reserved personality restricted promotional opportunities. A review in the New York Times commended its deeply engaging narrative, while Carl Sagan later recognized it as a tightly crafted and intricately detailed piece, setting it apart from conventional science fiction.
The novel cultivated a dedicated cult audience due to its vivid portrayal of nineteenth-century New York City and its seamless fusion of historical accuracy with speculative elements. It achieved sales exceeding 200,000 copies in trade paperback format and remained available in print for many years, drawing enthusiastic correspondence from readers fascinated by its approach to time travel. The story’s influence extended to inspiring a Manhattan dining establishment named after the book in 1987.
Critics occasionally pointed out shortcomings in the romantic storyline, specifically regarding the somewhat superficial treatment of Morley’s relationship with Kate. Documentary filmmaker Ric Burns characterized the novel as "verbose," with dialogue that felt unnatural and gender perspectives that now seem outdated, yet he acknowledged its lasting charm rooted in rich historical description and its depiction of Manhattan during the 1880s.
Stephen King lauded Time and Again in the afterword of his own time travel novel 11/22/63, referring to it as "the great time-travel story" and initially planned to dedicate his work to Finney.
Influence on preservation awareness
Time and Again is widely credited with enhancing public consciousness about New York City's architectural history. Ric Burns remarked on Finney’s vivid renderings of 1880s Manhattan landmarks—such as the Dakota Apartments, Central Park, and the incomplete Brooklyn Bridge—which resonated at a time when much of the city’s heritage faced threats. The novel aligned closely with urban preservation movements active during the 1960s and 1970s. The Bowery Boys podcast and blog describe it as "a manifesto for preservation" amid the rise of landmark advocacy in the city. Preservation advocates like Jack Taylor, associated with efforts to protect the Ladies' Mile Historic District, attribute some inspiration for landmark designations to Finney’s work; notably, Finney himself testified in favor of protecting this district before its official landmark status was granted in 1989.
Audio version
An abridged audio adaptation of Time and Again was issued by Simon & Schuster in 1995, featuring narration by Campbell Scott and lasting approximately 4.5 hours. Alongside this release, an abridged audio version of its sequel, From Time to Time, also narrated by Scott and adapted by James Shokoff, became available simultaneously.
Stage adaptation
A musical version of Time and Again, with a script by Jack Viertel and music and lyrics composed by Walter Edgar "Skip" Kennon, debuted at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in 1996. While preserving key themes such as time travel and blackmail, this adaptation introduced considerable alterations to the original plot. Directed by Jack O'Brien, the cast included notable performers like Rebecca Luker and Howard McGillin. Though originally planned as a Broadway preview, mixed critical reception postponed further productions.
Following extensive development, a New York staging opened at the Manhattan Theatre Club’s Stage II venue in January 2001, running through February. Under the direction of Susan H. Schulman, the production featured actors such as Lewis Cleale, Laura Benanti, Julia Murney, and David McCallum. Despite initial sellout performances, reviews were predominantly unfavorable: Variety described it as "an innocuous if unexciting piece of stage furniture," while Backstage criticized its excessive compression. The Observer dismissed it as a "low-budget try." The smaller scale of the New York venue limited set design possibilities compared to San Diego’s larger production space, reducing overall impact. No subsequent Broadway transfer occurred.
Attempts at Film Adaptation
Since its release, Time and Again has consistently drawn interest from the film industry, yet it has never been adapted for the screen. In the early 1970s, the initial rights holders—Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and producer John Foreman—pursued collaboration with director John Huston and Warner Bros., but this did not result in a completed screenplay.
In 1977, Universal Pictures purchased the rights for $100,000, granting unlimited time to develop a miniseries but limiting feature film production to a decade. Despite involvement from producers such as Gabriel Katzka, Edgar Scherick, and Irwin Allen, the project failed to advance. During the 1980s, Universal Television drafted three separate miniseries scripts; however, none were brought to production.
Throughout the early 1990s, Robert Redford and his company Wildwood Enterprises repeatedly engaged with the project, intending to produce, direct, and potentially star in an adaptation. Nevertheless, financial challenges and competition from other time-travel-themed films like Somewhere in Time (1980) and Back to the Future (1985) impeded further development.
Author Jack Finney reportedly held mixed feelings about a cinematic version of his novel, expressing skepticism that any adaptation could faithfully replicate its unique atmosphere. While he accepted option payments over time, he anticipated that a screen version might not meet expectations. Finney passed away in 1995.
On July 25, 2012, Lionsgate secured an option on the film rights with Doug Liman attached as director and producer. As of 2025, no film or television adaptation has come to fruition.
See also
- An Experiment with Time (1927) — a book by J. W. Dunne presenting a time travel concept similar to that found in Time and Again.
- Somewhere in Time (1980) — a movie portraying comparable time travel through self-hypnosis; adapted from Richard Matheson's 1975 novel Bid Time Return, it features a character named "Dr. Gerard Finney," likely as a tribute to Jack Finney.
Further reading
- Fabio Camilletti, 2010, Present Perfect. Time and the Uncanny in American Science and Horror Fiction of the 1970s (Finney, Matheson, King), Image & Narrative, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 25–41