'The Accidental Time Machine' by Joe Haldeman is a science fiction novel that follows the story of Matt Fuller, a physics grad student who accidentally creates a time machine that only travels into the future. As Matt embarks on a journey through time, he encounters various futuristic scenarios and faces unexpected challenges. The book combines elements of adventure, time travel, and humor, reminiscent of classic time travel stories like 'Back to the Future'. The writing style is described as light and entertaining, with a focus on the characters and their interactions throughout the narrative.

The plot of 'The Accidental Time Machine' revolves around Matt's experiences as he navigates through different time periods, encountering unique situations and dilemmas along the way. The book explores themes of time travel, scientific discovery, and the consequences of altering the course of history. Readers praised the engaging storyline, the protagonist's likability, and the author's ability to present thought-provoking scenarios about the future. Despite some critiques about the execution and pacing of the plot, the book is overall seen as an enjoyable and quick read for fans of science fiction and time travel adventures.

Characters:

Characters are portrayed in broad strokes, focusing more on their roles in the plot rather than deep personal development.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is approachable and lively, effectively blending humor with science fiction while maintaining a fast pace.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves Matt accidentally creating a time machine that transports him forward in time to encounter various challenges and societies, with an ultimately unsatisfying conclusion.

Setting:

The book features diverse futuristic settings that reflect different societal evolutions, though they are described briefly.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and engaging, though it may lead to unresolved plot points and character development.

The older man was hunched over his oscilloscope screen, staring into the green pool of light like a tweedy and corpulent bird of prey, fiddling with two knobs, intent on a throbbing bright oval that w...

Notes:

The protagonist, Matt Fuller, is a grad student at MIT who accidentally invents a time machine.

The time machine only allows one-way trips into the future, with jumps increasing logarithmically in duration.

Haldeman takes into account the motion of celestial bodies affecting the landing location of the time machine.

Throughout his journey, Matt encounters various unique future societies, including a religious theocracy and a barter-based society controlled by AI.

The novel's pacing is quick, leading to an ending that some readers found unsatisfactory, describing it as a 'deus ex machina.'

There are themes of multiple timelines and versions of the protagonist that are mentioned but not fully explored.

The story has been compared to Poul Anderson's 'Flight to Forever', sharing similar time travel concepts but executed differently.

Haldeman's writing is characterized as accessible and engaging but criticized for not delving deeply into character development or world-building.

The book explores humorous scenarios and absurdities, reflecting Haldeman's playful storytelling style, despite its serious science fiction premise.

Readers noted that despite its light tone, the story touches on important themes of survival and the human experience in dystopian futures.

From The Publisher:

Grad- school dropout Matt Fuller is toiling as a lowly research assistant at MIT when he inadvertently creates a time machine. With a dead-end job and a girlfriend who left him for another man, Matt has nothing to lose in taking a time-machine trip himself-or so he thinks.

Ratings (9)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (5)
Liked It (2)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (18):

Read It (10)
Want To Read (6)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

ehanut203

Hated It

4 months

This was not a fun book. The protagonist is a jerk, and there is some very sexist crap towards the end. Not the Haldeman I usually enjoy.

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About the Author:

Joe Haldeman is a Vietnam veteran whose classic novels The Forever War and Forever Peace both have the rare honor of winning the Hugo and Nebula Awards. He has served twice as president of the Science Fiction Writers of America…

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The Accidental Time Machine

Joe Haldeman