In Another Time Review

Historical Fiction is one of my absolute favorite genres to read. There’s something about traveling to another time and place. I also feel like there is always so much to learn about the human condition from this genre. Although these novels are rooted in fiction, the circumstances and setting give valuable insight into days gone by. When I was looking for a new book to follow my recent romance and thriller reads, Historical Fiction sounded like the perfect grounding choice. In Another Time by Jillian Cantor is an emotional World War II drama that I happened to stumble upon at the second hand bookstore. From the moment I picked it up, I knew that this novel would linger in my mind long after I finished the last page. Without further ado, here is my In Another Time Review.

The Plot

The novel begins in Germany, in 1931, where bookshop owner, Max Beissinger and aspiring violinist, Hanna Ginsberg meet and fall in love. As the years progress, their relationship grows. But Hanna is jewish, and hate filled tensions are rising in a pre-World War II Germany.

Fast forward ten years, and Hanna has awoken in a field clutching her violin. She has no memory of the war and no idea of how she got there. Without any way to contact Max, or any way to find out if he’s still alive, Hanna is forced to move on with her life. However, as much as she loves throwing herself into her music, questions of Max continue to haunt her fresh start.

Told in alternating perspectives, we experience the years before the war from Max’s view, and the ten years after from Hanna’s.

Review

The mystery aspect is what initially drew me to this book. This, along with the dual narrative, sounded like a gripping novel about love and survival. And it was, but it left me feeling a little unsatisfied.

First of all, I never thought I’d say this, but I was actually displeased to see time travel in a novel. I don’t know if it was my own oversight, or if the plot description was intentionally vague, but the time travel plotline felt like it came out of left field. It was a background plot device that didn’t feel fully fleshed out, and it left more questions than answers. How did the closet come to be? Why didn’t Max’s father warn him? It also kind of ruined the mystery. Where was Max all this time? Not on some resistance mission, but instead traveling through time. He was still saving people, I just wish his efforts had been grounded in reality.

The novel’s saving grace for me was the dual perspective narrative. I loved how we only saw Max’s perspective before the war, and Hanna’s after. It gave so much mystery to the novel. I was left wondering what happened to Max until the very last page. Time travel and all. Hanna’s story was one of determination and courage, and I loved that she was able to accomplish her lifelong goals. Because we followed Hanna after the war, I felt more connected to her character than I did to Max. Despite the even split in narrative, Max somehow felt like a side character in Hanna’s story.

This novel also did an excellent job of showing the struggle in the aftermath of war. Even though we never really saw what happened to Hanna, the lingering trauma and feeling of displacement she experiences in the aftermath gives perspective to the story.

This novel doesn’t have the expected happy ending, but Hanna carves out a happy life for herself nonetheless. She was able to grow from her trauma, establish herself as a musician, and develop a deeper relationship with her sister. Although she and Max did not live happily ever after, she was left with another opportunity for a love that had grown with her.

Overall, it was an interesting historical read with depth and mystery. I probably wouldn’t read this one again, but it was a quick and entertaining read nonetheless!

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