The Albertine Notes often left me as confused as the Book of Revelation did. The lack of chronological time and the explanations of events as if the reader has been a part of the prior events had me re-reading passages to see if there was something I had missed, especially in the beginning. Like my classmates have said, this novella is a definite example of kairotic time.

In the Albertine Notes there is no time, there is only before the blast and after the blast. “The blast” is not explained, but slowly revealed throughout the piece and we never know how long ago it has happened. The people living after the blast are unconcerned with the present, the only want to re-experience the past and fast forward to the future. This, I think, mirrors the way apocalyptic fundamentalists live. They study and cherish the past as the Bible tells it, and they live looking towards the salvation of the future.

Albertine is the gospel of this post-blast city. The people use it to feel grounded in what was, and to search for hope in a plausible future. It brings pain as much as comfort, but the promise of comfort is enticing enough. Perhaps, Moody is trying to say that this is what happens when people do not live for the present. The people are lying about in the streets in a drug induced daze, like society lies about in a dream induced daze.

Kevin Lee’s search for the start of Albertine use is also telling of his inability to live in the present. Somehow he is convinced that if he discovers this past event, it will alter the way things are. The event of Albertine starting to be used is more important than the fact that everyone is using it now. It isn’t about stopping it. I think this is indicative of the loss of control that Kevin feels, and that anyone with an apocalyptic mindset would feel. Kairotic time is so important to apocalyptics because events are easier to define and therefore provide a sense of being grounded when one can’t control anything.