Though not a new literary device, this managed to work. I quite enjoyed the changes in technology as Thomas regressed, and his way of life was also quite interesting, in particular his years of retirement and puberty. The obvious question of course is which path his life is set on at the end: have his changes held up and will he now grow up with a family? Or, if he doesn't change his ways in Scrooge-like fashion, is he doomed to die early?

An author worth reading more of, for certain.