Review - The Psychology of Time Travel


Embroidered rabbits and guns frolic on the cover of this book.

In 1967, four female scientists worked together to build the world’s first time machine. But just as they are about to debut their creation, one of them suffers a breakdown, putting the whole project—and future of time travel—in jeopardy. To protect their invention, one member is exiled from the team—erasing her contributions from history.

What a delight! This is a classic murder-mystery wrapped up in a perfect sci-fi package.

The answer to the "whodunnit" is, obviously, a time-traveller. But the twists and turns it takes getting there are good clean fun.

There's a strong mix of characters - and an underlying sense of "proper" sci-fi. That is, if you ignore the practical realities and paradoxes, how would people use time travel? Sex and parlour tricks mostly, it seems.

The story flits around with narrative, and it can be a little confusing keeping track of which character is in which time period. And why long-dead characters are still alive. But that's the price you pay for monkeying around in the space/time continuum.

It is a bit "Midsommer Murders" - but the underlying psychological horror makes up for it.

Verdict
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What links here from around this blog?

  1. Book cover - a glitchy and distressed vision of a woman's face. Review - The Hazards of Time Travel
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