Cover Image: A Time Outside This Time

A Time Outside This Time

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Member Reviews

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

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A writer in a writer’s retreat in Italy at the onset of the pandemic, reflecting on the nature of truth, the proliferation of fake news and comparing with scientific discourse, which may be perceived as more authoritative and embodied by his psychologist-wife. A thought-provoking read, urgent in its analysis of how language and power work and ultimately of our times.

I was totally fascinated by the issue of alt-truth when it arised a few years ago. If you are interested in the topic you will find it very relevant. However, it is not an easy read and definitely not plot driven, also as it tackles the idea of dismantling the traditional novel as a bourgeois construct. A, timely, deeply political work and a reflection on the Trump era. Sprawling and rhizomatic, experimental and digressive, but ultimately visionary and full of enlightening moments.


My thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book via Netgalley

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An inspection of what fiction is in a time where facts are often no more than another persons opinion. Kumar’s novel come stock take of current affairs follows a novelist working on a book at an Italian’s writers retreat in the weeks before COVID moves from far fetched news story to all encompassing global pandemic.

Multiple threads of thought, narratives of past and present and identities of author, father, husband and political commentator are woven into a complex yet satisfying story of late capitalist politics, dis/misinformation and the construction of truth in the context of the virus. Our protagonist reads 1984 for the first time as he writes his own novel on an Owellian reality he is living through.

Keen to dissuade readers from an exclusively western state of affairs, as often is touted as exclusive to ‘trump era’, Kumar draws out comparisons with contemporary and historical experiences in India, referencing Modi’s penchant for ill advised pandemic advice and retelling the numerous civil uprisings and public discourses relating to Indian politics too.

An long distance accomplice to our protagonist, his wife operates as a psychologist in waiting to the reader. There to explain, amend and correct our writers need to turn all research he reads in story fodder, commentary on the current obsession with novelty in fact and fiction. The present story line offers humane commentary on the start of virus, the chaos of the unknown, of communication interpreted by families separated by countries and continents.

In the end, readers are left to decipher for themselves which pages are fiction and which reflect current reality, and that is entirely Kumar’s point.

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This had moments of witty observation delivered in excellent prose but overall it felt a little all over the place. I'm not sure the format worked and it felt quite disjointed. An interesting experiment with mixed results.

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A really important read which made me reflect on a lot of things about the world we live in today.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

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OH MY GOSH I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. This was such a good book and totally relatable during this time of Trump rants and Covid. It was so interesting seeing all of these things through one mans eyes and how he evealuated all of it. It was beautofully written and obe that i will read several times and will get something different out of it each time.

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