Dutton Press
336 Pages
Imagine being able to live forever. On the surface it seems like it would be a great idea. You would never die, and the world could be your oyster. Who knows what the possibilities could be. They’d be nearly endless. On the other hand, how would you love and live? Your significant others would age and die while your life marched on. The same would happen with your friends. Immortality could be very lonely. Maybe finding the love of your life could help you live out your days and end the curse of living forever. That could be the magic of true love.
Eugene Miles is living out his days at a retirement home, aged but nearly immortal as he lived life after life searching for his elusive love. Geno, as he’s known around the home, forms a connection with his aide, Angel. He tells Angel how he has lived and died countless lives over the past five centuries. From the beginning of his many lives, he was frantically attempting to find the woman who had captured his heart. Time and time again he runs into her only to be rebuffed. Were they the delusions of an old man, or were they stories from lives long past?
This book explores different periods of time through the eyes of Geno. He lives a life of futility, chasing after what he feels is his only one true love. He moves from time to time barely missing his chances with the woman of his dreams. This book does drag in some places although the pace picks up in waves. The premise is a wonderful one. Evison writes very well, to keep you interested in what could happen next in Gino’s next life. Even the lulls will entertain you.
I liked how Gino told his various stories to Angel. I like listening to stories about life in the “old days” so this book was one that piqued my interest. It was like sitting around listening to a grandparent talk about their early life. This one had the added perk of introducing different historical eras. The author did his research and brought these different time periods to life. I loved each scenario Geno found himself in over the years as he chased a woman who didn’t really know him.
The weakest part of this novel was the ending. It did not tidy things up with a neat little bow. Not every book has to, but this one left quite a bit to be desired. The story had a fantastic build up and it kind of let me down as it finished. Sometimes when a book has you asking for more, it’s a great thing. This time, the ending just didn’t satisfy me. The rest of the book was absolutely wonderful, and while the ending doesn’t live up to the rest of it, it is still a very good book.
I liked Again and Again by Jonathan Evison even with its minor imperfections. It was a great trip through a man’s life and various different historical eras as he lives life after life. I enjoyed listening to Gino’s story. Even if they were just stories rather than his real life, they were fun to read. This book makes me want to search out Evison’s other books to enjoy.
Craig Bacon loves history. Writing about it in such a unique way makes a great reading experience for him.