In 'Timescape' by Gregory Benford, scientists in the late 1990s are facing global environmental catastrophes and attempt to send messages back in time to prevent the disasters. Meanwhile, in the early 1960s, a scientist discovers a mysterious message from the future hidden in his experimental data. The book delves into the themes of time travel, ecological collapse, and the challenges faced by scientists in different timelines. The writing style alternates between past and present settings, showcasing detailed scientific discussions and character-driven plotlines.

Characters:

Characters are complex and varied, often depicted in a male-dominated academic environment, with their interpersonal relationships significantly impacting the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style features detailed scientific explanations within a readable narrative, balancing character development with the overarching plot.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves scientific discovery with personal drama, involving time travel and ecological concerns as scientists attempt to avert a future disaster by sending messages to the past.

Setting:

The setting contrasts a future 1998 facing ecological disaster with a 1962 California academic environment, enriching the narrative with diverse time frames.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, with slow sections and a heavy emphasis on scientific discussions, leading some readers to find the narrative a bit sluggish.

REMEMBER TO SMILE A LOT, JOHN RENFREW thought moodily. People seemed to like that. They never wondered why you kept on smiling, no matter what was said. It was a kind of general sign of good will, he ...

Notes:

Timescape was first published in 1980 and won the Nebula and John W Campbell Memorial Awards for Best Science Fiction Novel.

The novel combines scientific discovery with strong character development and interpersonal drama.

It features a unique narrative structure, telling the story from two perspectives set in 1962 and 1998.

In 1998, a group of scientists attempts to communicate with the past to prevent ecological disasters using tachyon messages.

The story focuses on ecological issues, highlighting the impact of human actions on the environment.

Characters face personal challenges that reflect the larger societal issues of their times, such as funding and academia's politics.

The plot involves paradoxes related to time travel and alternate realities, making it a fascinating exploration of these themes.

Benford includes autobiographical elements, drawing from his experiences as a physicist in academia.

The book is noted for well-researched theoretical physics, impacting readers' understanding of scientific concepts.

Despite its acclaim, some readers find the character development lacking and often struggle with the dense scientific explanations.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include ecological disaster and its effects on society, which may be distressing for some readers.

From The Publisher:

Winner of the 1980 Nebula Award, Timescape has since become a classic of the science fiction genre, combining hard science, bold speculation, and human drama-a challenging and triumphant tale told by a master storyteller.

1998. Earth is falling apart, on the brink of ecological disaster. But in England a tachyon scientist is attempting to contact the past, to somehow warn them of the misery and death their actions and experiments have visited upon a ravaged planet.

1962. JFK is still president, rock 'n' roll is king, and the Vietnam War hardly merits front-page news. A young assistant researcher at a California university, Gordon Bernstein, notices strange patterns of interference in a lab experiment. Against all odds, facing ridicule and opposition, Bernstein begins to uncover the incredible truth . . . a truth that will change his life and alter history . . . the truth behind time itself.

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Timescape

Gregory Benford

Book 1 in the series:Timescape