Friday, July 12, 2013

Time and Again with a Whiskey Cocktail




Today's summer read recommendation with matching drink comes from Cathi Stoler, author of Telling Lies


One of my favorite books, and a great choice for summer reading, is Jack Finney’s Time and Again, a beautiful illustrated novel of time travel. I’ve read it several times and there are so many things about it that keep drawing me back. 

First is Finney’s protagonist. Si Morley is an advertising illustrator, (my day job is in advertising), an average person who finds himself in an extraordinary situation and ultimately deals with it brilliantly.

Another reason to love this book is that although it’s science fiction and takes us back in time to New York in 1882, it does so via imagination alone rather than any sci-fi machines. Finney makes you almost believe that time travel is possible just by thinking it. 

And, perhaps best reason to enjoy this story is that at its heart is a very intriguing mystery. All of which add up to a novel that’s a wonderful read.

Jack Finney’s characters feel real and right for their time, including Julia Charbonneau, a young woman with whom Si falls in love. Finney also paints a vivid picture of how New York looked toward the end of the Nineteenth Century through words and illustrations that make you feel like you’re there with Si. In fact, you can be, since much of the story takes place at two buildings that are still standing and still look very much the same: The Dakota on Central Park West and 72th Street and number 19 Gramercy Park, the boarding house in which Si rented a room.

Drinks of the time included beer, wine and several cocktails. One cocktail popular in the 1880’s was the Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail. I’ve updated it slightly and like to think it fits with Finney’s theme of being in the present and the past at virtually the same time.

The Then & Now Whiskey Cocktail

Dissolve a small lump of sugar with a little water in a highball glass 

Add two dashes Angostura Bitters, ice cubes and one jigger of rye whiskey.


Add a splash of club soda and garnish with an orange slice and a sprig of rosemary.

Don't forget to check out Cathi's website. How many lies does it take to get away with murder? 

3 comments:

  1. Thanks Cathi for a great post. I've never read Time and Again but it sounds like I need to.

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  2. The book sounds great as does the drink!

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  3. That looks yummy! (The novel, too.)

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