I really enjoyed Ivan Wainewright’s previous novel, The Kosher Delhi, and still remember exactly when I feverishly read it one rainy weekend, unable to put it down. I read The Other Times of Caroline Tangent in the exact same way: in several sittings, reluctant to be prized away from it. Wainewright has this wonderful talent of pulling you in and not letting you go, surrounding you with music, with settings that he builds in your mind, and with characters who are completely realistic, and relatable. He writes a real story, provides enough detail without bogging the reader down, makes you dream, and leaves you wanting more (in a good way). 

Caroline Tangent and her husband Jon live a comfortable life together in London, sharing a love for music and dinner parties with their close friends. Caroline is a talented artist and Jon a professor who also has a knack for creating machines and futuristic inventions. He uses this talent to create a time machine that the couple uses to travel back in time to see some of the most iconic and epic music concerts and festivals (think Piaf, the Beatles, Woodstock etc).

They manage to keep their hobby a secret from even their closest friends and are careful to only use it to observe, never to change the course of history. But past traumas resurface and when the couple disagree about their next steps, their entire life together turns upside down because of one awful decision.

There are twists in this novel that you may see coming, and turns that you don’t, and characters who are just lovely and others who are awful, but nothing is 100% one thing or 100% another. And while there is time travel, this isn’t all science fictiony at all, but more a wonderful story of humans as they interact with each other, and how as humans our actions always have consequences. I really loved Caroline as a character, her strength and willingness to stand up for herself and others, but also for her inability to see her husband for who he really was, because we have all done that in our lives, refused to see someone for who they really are because we love them. 

I always have a huge soft spot for novels based in both London and NYC, two cities that have also been home for me, and will always be home for me. The mention of Greeley Park as a meeting point made me feel nostalgic: I used to walk through there every single day for years! 

If I had the chance to go back in time for music who would I go and see? Tim Buckley, definitely, Tracy Chapman at any time, preferably in a small, intimate setting, The Cure during the Faith tour, The Sisters of Mercy in the 80’s, Bowie on the Serious Moonlight tour, George Michael anytime ever, AIC in Seattle in the early days, Nirvana during the Nevermind tour, The Clash in the late 70’s, Martha and the Vandellas, Edith Piaf, Etta James… And I think I could go on forever, seriously! This book should come with the option of adding to an existing playlist!!

All in all I really enjoyed The Other Times of Caroline Tangent and want more! I particularly loved the whole NYC part, and feel like the author did a great job creating a story that is true to life. If you have ever found yourself stranded in a city, NYC is the one place where you will be able to find a way for yourself (as I know from personal experience). 

Thanks to the author for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly loved this book!