The Accidental Time Machine by Joe Haldeman
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Book Reviews of The Accidental Time Machine
Book Review: Delightful romp
Summary: 4 Stars
Veteran author Joe Haldeman has some fun with time travel in this short sparkling book that lays it all out for you in its very first sentence: "The story would have been a lot different if Matt's supervisor had been watching him when the machine first went away."
But he wasn't, and Matt--MIT lab assistant and slacker--starts out on a journey to several future societies in his quest to get back to from where he came, and picks up a delightful companion in a VERY un-delightful place along the way.
There are religious fanatics, a holographic Jesus, a barter-happy society, talking bears, and a too clever by half AI along the way, and the ending, which seems at first to be a deus ex machina, turns out to be (if you mull it over for a bit that is), well, a deus ex machina . . . and a lot more.
In the author's afterword, you'll learn that much to his surprise, his speculation about how time travel _might_ work has quite a bit of validity.
Serious fun.
Book Review: Good reading
Summary: 4 Stars
I've always been fascinated by time travel and love reading about the subject so I decided to try this book. Some science fiction books are written with more technical/scientific terms than I care for, but this book was not that way at all. Matt, the main character, accidentally invents a time machine, and then his adventures begin. He can only travel forward in time, not back, so it makes for interesting dilemmas. Haldeman does a great job of illustrating the paradox of time travel, and the future societies he describes are interesting. Though not the best book I've ever read, this is well written, funny, and entertaining. I'd recommend it for anyone who is a fan of science fiction and time travel.Book Review: Time machine... check. Go into the future... check. Have difficulties... check!
Summary: 4 Stars
J. Haldeman's book, The Accidental Time Machine, has a uniqueness based on its innocence. ABD MIT student Matt Fuller accidentally constructs a time machine. Who knows how or why? What Matt learns is that every time he pushes the "on" button, it disappears, and then reappears in an ever increasing time in the future. Matt learns how to travel with the machine, but the future, or parts of it, are bleak and troublesome. It'll take some time for him to realize that he needs to go far enough INTO the future to find the time when scientists have figured out how to go BACK in time, and send him home.
Will it work?
An entertaining sci-fi story by one of the masters.
Book Review: Good Read
Summary: 4 Stars
This book reminds me a lot of the Time Machine by HG Wells.. the time machine itself isn't overly focused on, there is a simplistic feel to future generations and at the end I am left wanting more, which like the Time Machine isn't a bad thing.
I think the only thing that disappointed me was that it lacked enough action... I know, I know not ever book needs tons of action, but for me this book felt like it was needed in several places, yet they just seemed to be missing.
If there is ever a sequel I wouldnt think twice and would INSTANTLY buy it.
Book Review: Perfect for a quick read!
Summary: 4 Stars
I read the book in one sitting, took about two hours. I found smooth prose, likable characters, fun science, interesting notions about the future, and a story not written in first person! Plus, the synopsis on the back cover barely reveals the plot, which is so rare nowadays. In a broad way, I found the story very similar to Being John Malkovich, in that it unexpectedly continued in a fun, logical manner.
The highest praise I can offer is that this book made me look forward to exploring Haldeman's other books.