My Book Concept. Critics needed.

[Eric]

I recently saw the movie "Kate and Leopold" on television. It wasn't that good, but it did give me an idea. What if a 18th Century man was catapulted into the 20th century? So, without further ado:

Eric's Book Concept:
In 1812, at the Battle of Badajoz, Lieutenent Colonel William Caelan is leading his regiment into battle during the first assault. Things aren't going well, most of his regiment is pinned down behind the bodies of the fallen by a ceaseless rain of French musket fire. Waving his sword, William rallies his men for one last charge. Unfortunately for the poor Lieutenent, at the exact time he rises to rally his men, there is a small rip in the fabric of space and time. This rip sucks William in, sending him on a roller coaster ride through space and time. He ends up in New York during the time of the Gulf War. There, with the help of some 20th century know-how, he gains new insights on society and war. And, with some of his 18th century wisdom, he helps 4 people who had had a very bad life so far get back on track. Finally, after 2 months in the modern age, Lieutenent Colonel William manages to locate another rip in space and time with the help on one of his four friends, a disgraced scientist who had been mocked for his theories. Returning to his own time, William reflects on what he has learned and what he has done and then goes silently and gallantly to his death before the French bayonets

It's intended to be part comedy and part drama. A dramedy. Yeah, so opinions?

[Marcus Scaurus]

Sounds both funny and good, although the rip in space and time sounds a bit too cheap.

[Tacticalwithdrawal]

why not steal the idea from the BBC show 'Life on Mars' where the policeman is in a coma in present day (after a car accident) and wakes up in 1972. He regularly hears things happening in the 'real' world and that just adds to his confusion.

That way you can get around the cliche of the rip, and add another layer of narrative.

[Drunken]

It sounds like it would be very hard to write, coming up with all those ideas.

As the others said, i'd leave out the rip in space part. Perhaps , as Tacticalwithdrawal said you could have that Lieutenent Colonel William Caelan is in a coma, or (to link in with the battle) is knocked unconcious. He rallies his men, charges forward at the enemy, his men fight on around his as he is knocked unconcious. Then in his dreams he could live out the rest of the book.

Sounds good though, good luck with it

[Britisocialist]

Like the others a space time continuum rip is a little cheap. I think it would be better if he is in a coma but is slipping in and out of reality (i.e. he sees visions of what is happening in the battle possibly preminitions)

The rest seems interesting and a godd book for an 11 year old

[Darth + Stern]

The correct term is "Dromedy".

[Silver Guard]

You sure about that Stern?

Or, anouther idea entirly, he's shot, but some future/divine/spiritual/whatever you want agency intervenes and sends him forward, whild freezing time where he is.

Using Britisocialist's idea, the scene is not completly frozen, it jumps forward every now and then, leading further suffering to the leitenant as he hears the screams and the bullet does its slow work on him, despite the helping hand of his friends

Also anouther insentive to go back, if he's slowly dying anyway. The agency didn't save him, it gave him a chance to lay his ghosts to rest

Anyway, thats my idea, feel free to ignore it