Overlap: The Lives of a Former Time Jumper

by N Joseph Glass

Overview

This interview with Marcus Hollister, the man who 'sort of' invented time travel, is a touching story of love, regret, loss, and the hope for redemption.

Nearing the end of his life, wealthy recluse and long-time widower Marcus Hollister-famously known for creating the technology behind Vacations in Time-wished to tell his story to a hopeful young reporter, Jessica Matthews.

Why did he choose her? Why now?

She was most interested in his motivations for creating a means of what Marcus called time jumping and his explanation of the 'overlap' it produced. Probing questions steered the conversation toward how his time travel invention came to be nothing more than a recreational tool, and why he shut down the multi-trillion-dollar business it spawned.

Their one-hour meeting stretched into three days, in which they discovered some secrets were best kept buried.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798868929564
Publisher:	N. Joseph Glass
Publication date:	11/01/2023
Pages:	234
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.49(d)

About the Author

An Italian American born in New York currently living in Milan, Italy. As a sci-fi fan I enjoy interesting stories that fire the imagination. I love to immerse myself in the genres of science-fiction, action/adventure, and thrillers.

Editorial Reviews

Five Star seal from Readers' Favorite...

"Glass has written a book that begins as an inquest into time travel, which has been initiated by Marcus and whose exclusive rights to the story have been granted by him to Jessica. What Glass transitions to is more of a philosophical narrative with a metaphysical twist that I absolutely did not expect whatsoever. Despite the depth of what is discussed, Glass's writing style is clear and concise, making the work accessible. It's a great balance of thoughtful storytelling and thought-provoking messaging, and I think others who read it will find it as satisfying as I have."

Other praise for Overlap:

"This is a pretty awesome speculative novella from a really promising author."

"Overlap is everything you want in a near-fiction piece; it's realistically grounded, technologically forward, filled to the brim with human emotion, and touched with enough of a Black Mirror edge to keep you a little creeped out and hooked on every word."

From the Publisher

2024-03-12
In Glass’ SF novel, a troubled “time jumper” learns that his actions have unforeseen consequences.

After his beloved, Ellie Hollister, is shot and killed during a mugging, Marcus Hollister dedicates his life to finding a way to rewrite history. About two decades later, he creates a time chamber capable of revisiting pivotal moments in the past. Marcus soon learns that altering events in the chamber has no effect on the actual timestream, which leaves him grieving Ellie’s apparently irreversible loss. Nevertheless, the invention’s public release brings him fame and fortune, as well as a heavy conscience when he discovers that others are using the technology in horrifying ways that dohave real-world consequences. Marcus spends years perfecting his “overlaps,” extending his stays and living temporary lives with Ellie in the chamber. After living as a recluse for 22 years, Marcus entrusts his account to a young, unknown reporter, Jessica Mathews, who has a story of her own that will change Marcus’ life forever. The novel’s premise has elements that are reminiscent of the TV shows Westworldand Upload, and the film Total Recall. While the mechanics of time jumping may raise a few questions, such as how a character finds clothes after appearing nude in the middle of a public park, the heart of the story lies in its exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of human emotion. The novel starts off a bit overdramatically, with much ado about Ellie’s blood loss (“The thick liquid dripped crimson with flashes as embers of a dwindling fire glinting in the misty rainfall under the dim streetlight”), but the tone quickly evens out as Marcus’ interview begins. Ultimately, the narrative delivers an engaging and poignant read.

A compelling tale that ably blends speculative elements with a heartfelt exploration of grief.

Kirkus Reviews