Free Downloads The Time Cellar
Robert Packard, born in Los Angeles in 1974, love-starved wine nerd, frustrated physicist, and over-qualified gofer for a California law firm in the year 2010, suddenly gets two accidental windows to the past: Château Lafite in 1860, and Monticello, Virginia in 1818. They appear courtesy of the proverbial "Dark and Stormy Night."Not yet knowing if animate beings can cross through unscathed, he enlists the help of a local coin expert, and obtains the vintage coins to buy impossibly fresh wine from the Bordeaux vineyards in 1860 and "30 year old" wine from the 18th century directly from the cellar of his new friend, Thomas Jefferson. Hearing Robert is from California, and knowing only the geography of 1818, Jefferson compliments Robert on his English ("You speak impeccable English for a Mexican"). Robert has some history to fill in.Fluent in French, Robert also falls in love with a 28 year old vineyard worker's daughter in 1860 Bordeaux, France, born in 1832 ("You may start in with the 'older woman' comments any time"), but doesn't know if it's safe to go visit her in person. She helpfully offers the involuntary services of "Minou" to test the portal's tolerance of animate beings.Robert (now "Ro-BAIR") sells the rare vintage wine from his non-existent secret "cellar" to a crooked expert whose shop is on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and becomes an instant multi-millionaire. This brings with it the irritating consequences of a visit from the IRS, divorce proceedings from his soon-to-be ex-wife, and credible threats from thugs hired by the wine dealer, who can't stand not knowing the true owner of Robert's fabulous wine cellar.Coping as best he can, Robert's only friends are a 75-year-old retired Thomas Jefferson, his genius Guatemalan assistant Juanita Chang (whose ex taught her Cantonese), her brother, who knows the secrets of "maa shalats," whatever that might be, and the owner of the local rare coin shop.Robert gets a crash course in rare coins, 21st century legalities, and 19th century rural French etiquette. His wit and humor sustain him through his journey from contented mediocrity to sudden wealth and danger, with a surprise appearance by the Little Old Lady From Pasadena, who turns out not to be from anywhere near Pasadena. His wild whirlwind journey through a few dozen changes in life culminate in a surprise ending that is anything but obvious.Readers are offered fair warning from none other than Spider-Man creator, Stan Lee: “Hey, Marc—I hate you! Now I can’t even look at a glass of wine without thinking of your furshlugginer story!!!”
File Size: 1623 KB
Print Length: 340 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publication Date: October 19, 2014
Sold by: Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00OOEYOD2
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Not Enabled
Word Wise: Not Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Best Sellers Rank: #661,293 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #23 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Drinks & Beverages > Wine Collecting #73 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Beverages & Wine > Wine & Spirits > Collecting #80 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Coins & Medals
As a fan of time travel stories I never thought I'd ever find a novel that could rival the classic "Time and Again" by Jack Finney. I stand corrected.I can't compare the two stories since they are so very different in nature, but for sheer enjoyment as well as thought-provoking wonder, "The Time Cellar" is quite simply a fantastic companion to Finney.Which is as it should be; I've seen some stories that hew too closely to Finney's model. It's a treat to read a book with an entirely different approach, but no less excitement and equal plausibility. Every permutation of the time travel paradox is addressed, often brilliantly.The writing is delightful, with a casual tone that only a very skilled wordsmith could pull off so successfully. Like a talented dancer, Emory makes it look easy. But the more you read, the more you realize how hard it really is to write so well, with so many subtle hints of things to come. I was also impressed with how artfully he integrated impeccable French with translations of such dialog so that it seemed all the more real, without becoming awkward. It all flows together.It's a book which I quite literally could not put down. I read it in one sitting, and was very sorry when I reached the end. I would have loved for it to go on for several hundred more pages. I'm glad I bought it as a hard-copy, this is a book I intend to re-read often in coming years.I couldn't recommend this more highly. (I've already started shipping off copies to my friends!)
Seldom have I encountered a book that is such an absolute delight to read. It is captivating. I tend to read books quickly. However after having read a few pages, I knew I wanted to slow down and enjoy every sentence. The author has an excellent writing style. I really felt I was in the mind of the main character, understanding his thoughts, feelings, frustrations and joys. There is more than sufficient depth in the plot to firmly hold your attention without the use of countless characters and contorted subplots. Without giving a lot away, this book should make special reading for anyone that collects coins, enjoys wine, or has an appreciation of history. Even for someone not into these areas, it should make good reading. As a scientist, I found the book enthralling and accurate. It incorporates a number of concepts of science and even a little science fiction.
Good read for the beach, a plane trip or as part of your e reader load for a cruise. This was a fun bit of fluff fantasy, with a likable 1st person narrator and a good adventure. The author has a good sense of humor which is passed on to the main character/narrator; I think this was my favorite thing about him.
Who can resist a time travel tale involving gold coins, spectacular wine, Thomas Jefferson and the protagonist's assistant who speaks pidgin English and writes prose worthy of Spenser? The story is somewhat predictable, but a fun read nevertheless.
Marc Emory's book is a delightful little page turner with an interesting plot, making it a good and easyread for the beach or a long flight. Who wouldn't love to have a conversation with a famous formerAmerican President? Who wouldn't love the chance to travel back in time--using the knowledge oftoday--to create a family fortune? Who wouldn't love the chance to visit an idyllic location longbefore pollution from industrialization changed the world forever? I always enjoy readingnovels set in locations where I've lived--in this case, Los Angeles--but having lived there I will say you'llhave to search far and wide to find any houses in the San Fernando Valley with basements. One strikethere for plausibility-- which isn't much-- since I was quite willing to believe in the circumstances of time travel!The only editorial criticism I have to offer about the book has to do with the problem of translating for the reader theFrench spoken by the characters . It was definitely fun--and made the setting more real--to read the French, butthe format of translating the French in parentheses following every conversation had the effect of slowing downthe story. All in all, though, it was an amusing story, well plotted, and nicely written.
A review of The Time Cellar by Marc EmoryThis was a delightful book. Mr. Emory may have created his own genre since it is really a Science FIction/Historical novel. Yes there is a time machine that reaches 2 locations in the past. The author's knowledge of Early American history, wine and the Bordeaux region is shared to us the readers by being packaged in a enjoyable and amusing story. There are scary characters, a self serving woman or 2, a beautiful French woman who is the opposite of the other women, and there is adventure, danger and love.I don't want to spoil the fun for future readers - so this is all you get.
Marc Emory's story is crafted in a believable and suspenseful fashion that kept me reading all night. Written in a casual first person style befitting its everyman main character, the narrative offers a gentle introduction to coin and wine hobbies for the uninitiated. A fantastic read that kept me turning pages for hours.
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