The rules of time travel are tricky, and the idea of being able to visit your own town either 20 years in the future, or 20 years in the past, is incredibly interesting. That is the exact premise behind Scott Alexander Howard's The Other Valley. Of course, not only is time travel tricky, but it can be dangerous, so precautions must be taken.
The Situation: Sixteen year-old Odile is somewhat of an outsider at school. Her one close friend has moved away, and she was never outgoing or popular. Despite this, she manages to secure a spot as a potential candidate for the Conseil, the governing body that decides who is allowed to cross into the town from either the east of the west. On the former side is the same town, but 20 years into the future. On the latter, the same town 20 years in the past. People may apply to visit in either direction, usually to view a loved one, though they may not contact them. Even before becoming one of the students competing for a seat on the Counseil, Odile knew there were serious rules and risks surrounding these visits, but it all becomes very real when she spots a visiting party from the east, and recognizes who they are.
The Problem: When Odile recognizes the visitors as the parents of one of her classmates, that can only mean one thing: The boy is about to die. With this knowledge, Odile gathers up the courage to befriend Edme, and ends up as the fifth member in his small group of friends. She may have taken the necessary precautions after recognizing the viewing party, even being sure to report what she saw to the right people, but that does not mean the danger is over. Edme is smart, fun to be around, and the two become closer, as does the fateful day. At 16, Odile knows that whatever she does will affect 36 year-old Odile in the east, but despite the danger, she cannot help but wonder if there is any way to change the future.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel, set in a town where to the east of a heavily guarded border is the same town 20 years in the future. On the west, beyond another heavily guarded border, is the town 20 years into the past. Visitors are allowed from either side, but applications that are submitted to do so are carefully considered, and rarely approved. Like many novels about time travel, the books asks the readers if they would like to know what the future is like. And if they so, and they did not like what they saw, would they try to change it? Plus, there is the added complication that actions taken now may only make things worse, instead of better.
My Verdict: As someone who gets easily confused when attempting to read a book, or even watch a movie, about time travel, I found this story to be fairly easy to follow, as well as pretty fascinating. Imagine living in a place where to the east and west are the exact same realities, but 20 years apart from your own. As with many science fiction and speculative books, the often enticing idea of either knowing the future, or being able to go back to the past, comes with a fair amount of warnings, and the precautionary tales presented in this book are well thought-out, thought-provoking, and take the reader on an unusual and unpredictable journey.
Favorite Moment: Odile proves to be incredibly adept and discerning when it comes to her training for the Counseil. Despite any nerves and misgivings, her arguments are clear, concise, and often impressive.
Favorite Character: The characters in this book, especially the adults, are often serious, somewhat sever, and intense. The stakes are high for those who deal with making the decision concerning visitors. And same can be said for those that guard the borders. I did like Madame Ivret and her direct manner of talking to Odile, despite the fact that it is clear she may be withholding vital information. But if she is, it is because it is her job, and she believes it to be for the greater good.
Recommended Reading: I recommend 1984 by George Orwell. It is a very different book, but this story gave me the same sense of disorientation, as well as a similar feeling of not truly knowing if what the characters were doing was in fact the best course of action.
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