What a book! I didn’t know much about it going in, except that it was about time travel. From the brilliant, brilliant opening I was sucked into the story, as I began to get an inkling that I was in for something special. Fast forward a few pages later and I found my footing in the unusual structure. For the most part, it is a chronological story from the perspective of the heroine, though this involves jumping back and forth in time.
Unusually for a sci fi, the style reads more like a classic or historical fiction. Yet at the same time, it was so so gripping. Full of action, it kept me on the edge of my seat, unsure what would happen and scared for the consequences of each choice. I especially loved was how the rules for the time travel were quickly and simply established- yet the discussions surrounding it are endlessly complex.
What’s interesting is how the main character does not come across as a straightforward heroine. However nice it would have been to read a story of wish-fulfilment, she doesn’t simply storm into the past and fix everything. Instead, we see how she is often motivated by selfish desires and is forced to bear witness to the collateral damage of her choices. It raises the idea that as much as we would like to believe we would save history… we probably wouldn’t or couldn’t. And actually this is a more empathetic way of showing the victims of history: not only would we not do better, we’d probably do worse. Many times the protagonist recognises that she could not have made the choices her forebears did with dignity. And uncomfortable as it may make us, this discomfort is far more telling. We see deep inside the main character’s head, understanding, so that we might understand ourselves better.
This is easily the best time travel books I’ve ever read… heck it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read!
Rating: 5/5 bananas
So, have you read this book? Do you plan to? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
I’m not overly fond of time travel stories but this looks interesting. I’ve reserved the ebook from my library – 4 copies, 16 people on the wait list!
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I have ALWAYS loved time travel! Doctor Who! Outlander! That Stephen King book about JFK (which had a straightforward name I’m totally blanking on now XD)! Quantum Leap (when I was a kid)! I love any book or movie or TV show or comic or anything that delves into it. I love seeing how authors set the rules, how they deal with the fallout, how they navigate all of it. So this sounds fascinating! I’m actually on spring break right now (YAY!!!) and after I finish Brandi Carlile’s new memoir, I may have to pick this up to read before my life becomes a mess of grading and lesson plans again. Thanks for putting this on my radar!
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Have you seen Travelers on Netflix? The best!
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I think the jfk book was 1963 .
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Oooo, I haven’t – but I’m making a note of it right now. Thank you for sharing!
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I’m interested! Thanks for the review.
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Sci-fi read like histo or classic but still gripping and full of action? I’m curious!!
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👍
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Ah, this is such an incredible book! I’m so happy to see your review! I think I’m due for a re-read, although I also have a copy of the graphic novel version that came out a few years ago, so I may read that first before going back to the full novel. Everyone should read Kindred!
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I love Octavia Butler. So this must be a great book!
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I love sci-fi with time travel books but I haven’t read much. So thank you for this review! I will be picking this soon.
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I’ve been meaning to read this book, it sounds really powerful and yet entertaining at the same time. Thanks for the great review!
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I feel like I’m the only person who does not like this book. Granted, I did read it for class years ago so maybe being forced to read it has something to do with why I don’t like it. I’d like to try it again.
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