The Booklife Prize Semi-Finalist 2020!
"Oleksiw’s searching literary novel focuses on an inexplicable childhood incident that forever connects two friends and bridges the past and future. Sci-fi, fantasy, and coming-of-age elements richly intermingle within a framework of literary fiction.
The prose in Time’s Musicians is vivid, tense, lyrical, and rich, with memorable and unnerving insights.
Deeply philosophical, ambiguous, and profound, this narrative starkly defies genre categorization and stands apart as exceptionally unique.
Oleksiw’s novel presents a continuum, of sorts, between the childhood and adulthood of the primary character. The puzzling, thought-provoking exploration of identity will perhaps best be appreciated by adult readers."
From Readers and Reviewers:
"A bizarre, mind-bending story. The descriptions are unique and the imagery is vivid, while the plot twist near the end of the book makes for a stunning turn. Readers are often encouraged to release their inhibitions and suspend their disbelief, but Oleksiw’s writing makes it easy to give in. Time’s Musicians is a suspenseful musing on existence, relationships, truth and purpose, offering a satisfying conclusion, along with plenty of profound questions that will persist long after reading the last page." Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½
“A complex, well-written story of boys coming of age and the darkness they must face”- A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review, ★★★★★
The Story
As a child, Billy believed in black holes and time travel. Now, in his thirties, Billy is the reclusive creator of a popular comic book. On the eve of its final edition, Billy’s behavior grows erratic as he mysteriously requests assistance from the retired psychologist who evaluated him ten years earlier, Dr. Carrie Woodson.
Time’s Musicians is the story of two eccentric outsiders, Billy and John, who meet at summer camp. Both brilliant, they reunite as college roommates seeking answers to life’s great questions. A “prank”by Billy changes their relationship and future forever. Carrie’s quest for the truth leads her to realize the boys’ friendship was more complicated than anyone imagined. What would cause Billy to turn on John, pure jealousy or worse, insanity? Will Carrie finally solve the puzzle before it’s too late?
Time’s Musicians is a suspenseful, coming-of-age story exploring the eternal search for light within the darkness of the human condition. In between moments of silence, there is a song awaiting musicians to play it.
Wishing Shelf Book Review
“This is a complex psychological novel from the pen of Mark Paul Oleksiw. It all begins when Billy – the hero; sort of – meets the new boy in school; a boy with a very wild imagination. This boy insists he can travel through time but, to do it, he needs a black hole. From this rather surreal first chapter there grows a very interesting and well-written story of growing up and facing personal demons. It is a story of insanity, of coming of age and, surprisingly, a puzzle of sorts.
This is a very atmospheric story. The author knows his setting and wants the reader, like the characters, to be immersed in it. It’s also very much a character-led story. The author’s very good at exploring the minds of his protagonists, particularly the darkness in us all. In fact, it’s the author’s ability to offer such interesting characters to the reader that bring this novel alive. It is, admittedly, a little slow paced here and there but that’s in keeping with the story. And the little twists in the plot worked well, keeping me turning the page. I must also comment on the ending; it was very enjoyable, bringing the story – and a character from the beginning of the book – to a satisfying end.
Now, to the most interesting bit. Who’s the book for? Well, I would happily recommend it to older teenagers. And, of course, adults. Anybody who enjoys a character-led plot will very much enjoy this. And, oddly, if you like comic books, you might find it of interest too.”
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review (www.thewsa.co.uk)