'How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe' by Charles Yu is a unique blend of science fiction and literary fiction, exploring themes of time travel, father-son relationships, and self-discovery. The protagonist, a time machine repair technician named after the author, navigates a complex narrative that delves into the intricacies of time loops and the search for his inventor father. The book is noted for its metafictional elements, combining humor, melancholy, and mind-bending storytelling within a science fictional universe that challenges traditional genre boundaries.

Characters:

The characters are deeply flawed and introspective, representing loneliness and the complexity of familial relationships.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines humor, philosophical depth, and complex sentence structures, resulting in a unique though occasionally dense reading experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows a time machine repairman on a quest to understand his past, particularly his relationship with his father, amidst a backdrop of time travel.

Setting:

The setting is a unique blend of science fiction tropes and everyday life, presenting a universe where fantastical elements coexist with deep personal issues.

Pacing:

The pacing is often deliberate and introspective, focusing more on character development than swift plot progression.

There is just enough space inside here for one person to live indefinitely, or at least that’s what the operation manual says. User can survive inside the TM-31 Recreational Time Travel Device, in iso...

Notes:

The novel's world is based on the premise that the laws of physics are essentially the laws of narrative, specifically science fiction narratives.

Time travel is a commonly practiced act in the universe of the story, leading to the protagonist's job as a time machine repairman.

The protagonist, also named Charles Yu, has a complex relationship with his father, who originally invented time travel before disappearing.

The book features a self-aware narrative structure, where the protagonist grapples with existential themes of loss, regret, and identity.

The character has a fictional dog, Ed, and an AI operating system named TAMMY, who both play significant roles in his emotional landscape.

Much of the humor in the book derives from witty allusions to popular science fiction, such as references to the Death Star from Star Wars.

The narrative explores the impact of time travel on human relationships, particularly father-son dynamics.

The concept of a 'time loop' is central to the plot, where the protagonist accidentally shoots his future self, leading to a personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

The book is a blend of different genres, combining elements of science fiction with literary fiction and introspection about the human experience.

Overall, the narrative leverages heavy philosophical themes while delivering quirky and humorous observations about life and time.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Themes of depression, existential crises, and complicated familial relationships may be triggering for some readers.

From The Publisher:

From the National Book Award- winning author of Interior Chinatown, comes a razor-sharp, hilarious, and touching story of a son searching for his father . . . through quantum space-time.

Every day in Minor Universe 31 people get into time machines and try to change the past. That's where Charles Yu, time travel technician, steps in. He helps save people from themselves. Literally. When he's not taking client calls, Yu visits his mother and searches for his father, who invented time travel and then vanished. The key to locating his father may be found in a book. It's called How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe, and somewhere inside it is information that will help him. It may even save his life.

Ratings (9)

Loved It (4)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (14):

Read It (10)
Want To Read (4)

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About the Author:

CHARLES YU is the author of four books, including Interior Chinatown (the winner of the 2020 National Book Award for fiction), and the novel How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe (a New York Times Notable Book and a Time magazine best book of the year). He received the National Book Foundation's 5 Under 35 Award and was nominated for two Writers Guild of America Awards for his work on the HBO series, Westworld. He has also written for shows on FX, AMC, and HBO. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired, among other publications. Together with TaiwaneseAmerican.org, he established the Betty L. Yu and Jin C. Yu Writing Prizes, in honor of his parents.

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How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe

Charles Yu