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I've never found non-linear time to be a concept that works well except in math. Visualizing it is so abstract. Then there was the theory my husband presented to me a few eeks ago that we actually live in a two-dimension world that has been projected into three-dimensional space and that time isn't a fourth dimension. This same theory also suggests that time isn't linear but a solenoid.
[This message has been edited by Christine (edited January 21, 2005).]
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The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King. Not only do they jump around to different "when"s by use of mysterious doors, the main setting of the story exists in a state of spatial and temporal drift. Time and space are, in effect, winding down. It's an excellent example of non-linear time.
It's a great series, too, at least until King got tired or writing it. (Around book 4 or 5)
It's been years since I read this, but if I recall correctly the story is told backwards at one point and he moves back and forward in the story liberally.
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Many thanks for the input. I am interested in a story, amorphous in time and space, dream-like, and need to do some research.
It crosses my mind that it will take some doing to establish a story as a pitch for the reality of non-linear time, as opposed to a story told in non-linear fashion (which the reader's mind would then, if done well reconstruct into the assumption of a linear timeline).
[This message has been edited by kathmandau (edited January 21, 2005).]
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The absolute very best example I have ever read of non-linear story-telling is "A Pale View of Hills" by Kazuo Ishiguro. If you're looking for a story amorphous in space and time and dreamlike, this one is right up your alley, and it's masterfully executed. If that's what you're trying to learn, I would STRONGLY suggest getting your hands on a copy of this book.
Posts: 1528 | Registered: Dec 2003
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Circular: The Ballad of Babel-17 (IIRC) by Samuel Delaney.
Interleaved linear: The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis, and lots of others I'm sure.
Linear but backward: Memento (film).
So much time travel I lost track: Communicating Doors (play).
But "amorphous," if I understand it correctly ... I wouldn't know how to make a story this way, but it's appealing to me. Nobody flame, please ... the pilot episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had an illustration of how "nonlinear time" could already be a part of our lives.
[This message has been edited by wbriggs (edited January 21, 2005).]
you know... briggs is one of Square's hallmark characters in their RPG series Final Fantasy. anyways... where did that come from? oh, i know. he got uhm... burned by terra in the 6th final fantasy... hehe
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