Recommend a long, complex, thoughtful, philosophical, well-written, character-driven book about time travel. Previous books I’ve loved: Connie Willis’s Doomsday Book, Lincoln’s Dreams; and Passage. I started “To say Nothing of the Dog,” but just couldn’t get into it (I think I gave up on it when the protagonist met the guy with the boat and dog); I didn’t know what he was supposed to be doing and it seemed to be just fluff up to that point. If you think it’s worth it, I’m willing to try again. I like some of Barbara Michaels’ books (Vanish with the Rose, Here I Stay, Stitches in Time, Patriot’s Dream). I loved “The Thirteenth Tale” by Diane Setterfield. (No short stories; I know Connie Willis has done a few short stories, but I want to get drawn into something lengthy and complex that will last more than a few days.) Thanks.
P. S. - I know “The Thirteenth Tale” is not about time travel, but it’s an example of the kind of story I like - complex, paranormal (at least on the surface), and a surprise ending. Of those three authors, Connie Willis is the one I prefer; but I’ve checked online and don’t see anything new from her.
Replay, by Ken Grimwood, is a time travel novel of a sort. It involves traveling back to earlier times in one’s own life (repeatedly). This is one of those books that, after you read it, you go around making a nuisance of yourself trying to get all your friends to read it, too.
I’d recommend giving TSNOTD another shot. It may help if you know that, at the point “when the protagonist met the guy with the boat and dog”, he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to be doing either. And the fluff is indispensable; TSNOTD is in part a parody of / homage to PG Woodehouse’s novels, which are pretty much 100% fluff stuffed with fluff and a light fluff coating.
JRB
I had a little trouble getting into <i>To Say Nothing of the Dog</i>, too, but I enjoyed it. I may even read it again one of these days.
It helps a lot if you are already familiar with Dorothy Sayers’ Gaudy Night and whichever Agatha Christie mystery is mentioned in To say nothing of the dog.
You might like The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein.
Not to mention Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat (to Say Nothing of the Dog).
I’ll risk semi-repeating myself - my first post here which got lost.
If this is the book I read awhile back, it’ll knock you out. It’s Time and Again
and it haunted me for weeks afterward.
Check the reviews at
I’m getting the book again(?) from the library tomorrow.
Two of my favorites (I also adore Replay which was already mentioned): Outlander and The Time Traveler’s Wife.
That’s what I came in to mention!
Oh yeah, “Replay” kicks ALL the ass, go for it.
I don’t know how character driven it might be, but David Gerrold’s “The Man Who Folded Himself” is probably about the most thorough exploration of time travel taken to extremes and will likely make your head hurt. In a good way, though.
Hi -
I’m a long time lurker but had to sign up to second Jack Finney’s “Time and Again”.
Wonderful time travel book, and a great look at New York’s past. Was made into a movie as I recall but as usual the book is better. He also has two books of short stories about time which are also good.
I remember reading “Hawksbill Station” by Robert Silverberg and enjoying that many years ago.
Two:
[ol]
[li]The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells[/li][li]The Time Traveler’s Wife[/li][/ol]
The first because it was the first, it’s very well-written and thought out, and it’s Wells at his best.
The second because it’s incredibly well-written, poignant, and caring, and has very little to do with actual time travel.
I’m going to third Replay. It’s simply an amazing book.
The first time I read it, I read the last page and immediately turned to the first page and started rereading.
Just coming to third the Jack Finney books Time and Again, and From Time to Time. I would list those among the best books I’ve read in my life.
I thought The Time Ships was a pretty good follow on to The Time Machine. Fairly complex with some hard science in there. I found it an enjoyable read.
I’ll echo Jack Finney’s Time and Again, and Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife (also that last Willis book, though I agree it helps if you recognize the many references and origins) and I’ll add John Maxim’s Time Out of Mind
I’ll second The Time Traveller’s Wife. Great premise, well written, and an all around great read.