Time Sharing (novel)

Time Sharing is a 1986 novel by the American author Richard Krawiec, published by Viking Press. Taking place in Boston, its main characters are Artie, a purse-snatcher, and Jolene, a single mother. Artie hopes that by pretending to befriend Jolene he can profit from her. Jolene tries to see good in Artie and hopes he can act as a father for her son, Dandy. In time, Artie genuinely cares for Jolene. The novel ends moments after Artie accidentally shoots a cashier in a holdup. As he waits to be apprehended, Artie feels no remorse for shooting the cashier, but he grieves over the impending loss of his relationship with Jolene.

Background and publication

The novel was published on February 1, 1986, by Viking Press.^[1][2]

Reception

The novel was praised by Publishers Weekly, particularly Krawiec's portrayal of Artie and Jolene.^[3] It received a mixed review from Kirkus Reviews, which described the novel as "caught somewhere between belly-laughing satire and a more humanitarian concern", although Krawiec was praised as a talented author.^[1] Time Sharing is a tragicomic.^[4][5]