In "All Our Wrong Todays" by Elan Mastai, the story follows Tom Barren who lives in a utopian version of 2016 created by a world-changing invention in 1965. When Tom impulsively travels back in time and alters the course of history, he finds himself in a dystopian version of 2016, our current reality. The novel explores themes of time travel, alternate realities, self-discovery, and the consequences of one person's actions on the world.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of rape, suicide, and mental health issues that may affect sensitive readers.
Has Romance?
Romance is a significant aspect of the narrative, influencing character decisions and development.
From The Publisher:
"Entertainingly mixes thrills and humor."-Entertainment Weekly
"[An] amazing debut novel….Dazzling and complex….Fearlessly funny storytelling."-The Washington Post
"Instantly engaging….A timeless, if mind-bending, story about the journeys we take, populated by friends, family, lovers, and others, that show us who we might be, could be-and maybe never should be-that eventually leads us to who we are."-USA Today
Elan Mastai's acclaimed debut novel is a story of friendship and family, of unexpected journeys and alternate paths, and of love in its multitude of forms.
It's 2016, and in Tom Barren's world, technology has solved all of humanity's problems-there's no war, no poverty, no under-ripe avocadoes. Unfortunately, Tom isn't happy. He's lost the girl of his dreams. And what do you do when you're heartbroken and have a time machine? Something stupid.
Finding himself stranded in a terrible alternate reality-which we immediately recognize as our 2016-Tom is desperate to fix his mistake and go home. Right up until the moment he discovers wonderfully unexpected versions of his family, his career, and the woman who may just be the love of his life.
Now Tom faces an impossible choice. Go back to his perfect but loveless life. Or stay in our messy reality with a soulmate by his side. His search for the answer takes him across continents and timelines in a quest to figure out, finally, who he really is and what his future-our future-is supposed to be.
Filled with humor and heart and packed with insight, intelligence, and mind-bending invention, All Our Wrong Todays is a powerful and moving story of life, loss, and love.
Ratings (12)
Incredible (2) | |
Loved It (4) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (76):
Read It (14) | |
Want To Read (46) | |
Not Interested (16) |
2 comment(s)
In Tom Barren’s 2016, the world is a techno-utopia filled with hover cars, menial and manual jobs being performed by robots and everyone works in labs focused on creating the next cutting edge thing in entertainment. Tom’s works at the Chromonaut Institute which focuses on time-travel tourism and is run by his father. Overall, Tom’s life is one in which he is unhappy, has no direction and is a disappointment to his genius father.
Tom is tasked with acting as a partner to the capitan of the Chromonaut team Penelope Weschler. Tom falls in love with Penelope at first sight while I feel the Penelope views Tom as a interesting distraction until they complete their mission.
In a time-travel mishap, Tom becomes stranded in our 2016. When Tom awakens in the alternate 2016, he finds that on this universe, he is John Barren. Tom is disappointed by this alternative world he finds himself in as well as surprised by a world in which his parents relationship is loving, he has a sibling, and he is extremely successful.
As the novel progresses, Tom starts to realize that the 2016 he finds himself in is not that bad and he is able to find love as well as acceptance for the strained relationship with his father in the alternative universe where he came from.
I liked the way in which Mastai creates an engaging story as well as a distinct personality for the characters of Tom and John. This book was an entertaining read if for no other reason because it highlights how the actions of one person can create universal changes. While it was an interesting read, I felt the happy ending was a bit forced.
I really wanted to like this, but I'm not going to finish it. The premise is fun but the dialogue is ruining it for me. Very sitcom-y feel to it. Started out as a four star review but the dialogue is dropping it to two stars
What can you read after
All Our Wrong Todays?
About the Author:
Elan Mastai was born in Vancouver and lives in Toronto with his wife and children. He is an award-winning screenwriter. This is his first novel.
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