TIME TRAVELED strings together a slew of travel vignettes that are punchy and fun to read. The author seamlessly alternates being witty, poignant, or philosophical, yet never wavers from being brutally honest. This author lays herself bare and doesn't flinch whenever she feels vulnerable. Themes such as nature, history, and identity rank high on her literary list, as well as loneliness and the importance of having someone to love. Tripping over the remnants of who we used to be, this explorer diligently follows the breadcrumbs left by those who came before.
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: A lovely and lyrical compendium that's both poetic and humorous, autobiographical and devotional. Above all, Marson's collection wonderfully shows a clear love of travel and the places where we sometimes find ourselves either by accident or by design, and is a beautiful and compelling read for anyone looking to see the world through new eyes.
Prose: Marson clearly has the heart of a poet and it shows--most notably through her thoughtful and often elegiac prose that paints a vivid picture of her anecdotal adventures. By turns an ode to nature and the hidden (and not so hidden) corners of the world, Marson's exceptional and enormously engaging style makes Time Traveled a joy to read.
Originality: Travel memoirs are familiar territory. However, here, the beauty is undoubtedly in Marson's storytelling, which reads less like a laundry list of "places I've been" and more like an examination of how her travels have shaped her life--and her appreciation of the world.
Character/Execution: Marson's engaging tone and style connect the reader to every place and adventure, while her authentic prose elevates her stories into a well-written and thought-provoking collection that's both entertaining and touching--lovely, lyrical, real, and amusing.
Date Submitted: October 27, 2022
