The best time travel books to help you escape to a different reality!
The ‘Me at 21’ trend had everyone in its viral grip recently. It became hugely popular because who doesn’t love an excuse to take a beloved trip down memory lane. One moment you’re scrolling through, laughing at everyone’s adorable awkwardness, and the next, you’re plunged deep into your own memory lane, wondering, “What if I could go back with the wisdom I have now?” It’s a bit like wanting to be the protagonist in your own sci-fi saga, isn’t it?
Speaking of which, if you’ve ever daydreamed about hopping through time, whether to give your younger self a pep talk or to witness firsthand the events that textbooks can only describe, you’re in the right place.
Science fiction books with plots that dabble in time travel offer us a unique escape hatch from reality. These narratives allow us to explore “what could have been” or “what might be,” often leaving us with a deeper appreciation for the “what is.”
Time travel as a plot device
In these books, time travel is a lens through which we examine humanity’s deepest fears, greatest hopes, and unchanging nature. These stories promise to whisk you away from the mundane, offering both an escape and a reflection on the world as it is, was, or could be.
Take a trip through time with these seven books that promise adventure, romance, and, occasionally, a mind-bending look at the fabric of reality itself.
Step back into the late Victorian era with this pioneering novel that introduced the concept of time travel to the masses. Wells’s narrative follows an unnamed Time Traveller who ventures far into the future to find humanity evolved into two distinct species. It’s a tale that marries adventure with Wells’s reflections on society, progress, and the very nature of time itself.
This isn’t just a book; it’s a profound commentary on war, seen through the lens of time travel and alien abduction. Vonnegut’s semi-autobiographical protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, becomes “unstuck in time,” experiencing moments of his life out of sequence. This narrative technique allows Vonnegut to explore the impacts of the Dresden bombing during World War II, making a powerful statement about the nature of human conflict.
Imagine a world where memories can be manipulated to reshape reality. Crouch’s thrilling narrative dives into the heart of human memory, identity, and the potential havoc time travel could wreak on personal and collective history. It’s a mind-bending journey that questions the very foundation of reality.
Wilson presents a unique twist on time travel, where humanity is confronted with mysterious monuments, known as Chronoliths, that appear throughout the world, celebrating victories from the future. This novel blends the exploration of time with a deep dive into the human psyche, examining how knowledge of the future can affect individual and collective destinies.
Niffenegger crafts a heart-wrenching love story with a time-travel twist. The novel follows Clare and Henry, who struggle to maintain a normal relationship despite Henry’s uncontrollable time-traveling episodes. It’s a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the relentless march of time.
This timeless classic blends science fiction with fantasy, taking young readers (and adults alike!) on a journey through space and time. The story centers on Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe as they embark on a quest to save Meg’s father. It’s a tale that celebrates the power of love and the strength of the human spirit.
Merging historical fiction with romance and adventure, Gabaldon’s series begins with a gripping tale of Claire Randall, a nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously transported back to Scotland in 1743. Caught between two vastly different worlds, Claire must navigate the dangers of a bygone era while trying to return to her own time.
Get set for an expedition to the very edges of imagination with other sci-fi reads:
10 Science Fiction Books that’ll Transport You to a Different Reality
