Subject
Time travel -- Fiction Books
Best books
H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
The Time Machine
"The Time Machine" by H. G. Wells is a science fiction novella published in 1895. A Victorian scientist known as the Time Traveller journeys to the year 802,701, where he discovers humanity has evolved into two distinct species: the childlike Eloi and the savage Morlocks. This groundbreaking work popularized the concept of time travel and coined the term "time machine." Wells crafts a haunting vision of the future that explores class divisions and social inequality, taking readers on an unforgettable adventure through time's darkest possibilities.
Mark Twain
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
"A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" by Mark Twain is a novel published in 1889. When Hank Morgan, a Connecticut engineer, receives a blow to the head, he awakens in medieval England during King Arthur's reign. Using his modern knowledge, he poses as a powerful magician and becomes the king's chief adviser. Hank attempts to modernize the past and implement democratic reforms, but faces opposition from Merlin, the nobility, and the Church in this satirical tale about progress, power, and conflicting eras.
Ayn Rand
Anthem
"Anthem" by Ayn Rand is a dystopian novella written in 1937 and first published in 1938. Set in a future Dark Age where individuality has been erased and technological progress is controlled, the story follows Equality 7-2521, a young man who commits the ultimate transgression: independent thought. Through secret scientific research, he rediscovers electricity and falls in love with Liberty 5-3000. When his forbidden activities are exposed, they flee into the wilderness to forge a new world built on the revolutionary concept of "I."
Edward Bellamy
Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887
"Looking Backward, 2000 to 1887" by Edward Bellamy is a utopian science fiction novel published in 1888. When Julian West falls into a hypnotic sleep in 1887 Boston, he awakens 113 years later to find America transformed into a socialist utopia. Through conversations with his guide, Doctor Leete, West discovers a radically reimagined society where industry is nationalized, goods are equally distributed, and citizens retire at 45. This bestselling novel sparked a political mass movement and inspired over 162 discussion clubs across America.
H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
When the Sleeper Wakes
"When the Sleeper Wakes" by H. G. Wells is a dystopian science fiction novel published in 1899. A man falls into a coma and awakens 203 years later in a transformed London, discovering he has become the world's richest man. His accumulated wealth has been used to build a vast new order that controls half the world. As he navigates this strange future society, he must confront whether to accept his role as figurehead or challenge the oppressive system built in his name.
Ward Moore
Bring the Jubilee
"Bring the Jubilee" by Ward Moore is a novel published in 1953. It imagines a world where the Confederacy won the Battle of Gettysburg and became a thriving superpower, while the defeated United States languishes in poverty and decay. When historian Hodge Backmaker travels back in time to witness the pivotal Confederate victory, history takes an unexpected turn that could reshape everything he knows about his world.
H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
The Sleeper Awakes A Revised Edition of When the Sleeper Wakes
"The Sleeper Awakes" by H. G. Wells is a dystopian science fiction novel published in 1899 and revised in 1910. A man falls into a coma in 1897 London and awakens 203 years later to discover he has become the world's wealthiest person. His fortune has been used to create a vast plutocratic order controlling half the world. Caught between rival factions and revolutionary forces, he must navigate a nightmarish future society where workers live in misery and his own role as figurehead threatens humanity's freedom.
Enrique Gaspar
El anacronópete; Viaje a China; Metempsicosis
"El anacronópete; Viaje a China; Metempsicosis" by Enrique Gaspar is a science fiction novel published in 1887. This pioneering work presents the first literary depiction of a time machine, predating H.G. Wells' famous novel. Spanish inventor Don Sindulfo García creates the Anacronópete to travel backward through time, hoping to impose his will on his unwilling ward Clara. Accompanied by reluctant passengers, the journey takes them through historical events to ancient China, where they seek the secret of immortality while navigating dangerous encounters and romantic entanglements.
H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Tales of the Unexpected
"Tales of the Unexpected" by H. G. Wells is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. This anthology showcases Wells' signature blend of imaginative storytelling and thought-provoking themes, exploring various human experiences and the unexpected twists of fate. The stories delve into subjects such as the complexities of perception, the strangeness of life, and uncanny events, often leaving readers with more questions than answers. The opening portion introduces the first story, "The Remarkable Case of Davidson's Eyes," where the narrator witnesses a mysterious incident involving a man named Sidney Davidson at a technical college. Davidson experiences a peculiar mental and physical state that suggests an aberration of sight, leaving him blind yet capable of perceiving distant realities. The narrative paints a vivid picture of Davidson's confusion and the concern of those around him as ordinary events spiral into the extraordinary, demonstrating Wells' flair for weaving suspense and intrigue from the ordinary fabric of life.
Marie Corelli
Ardath: The Story of a Dead Self
"Ardath: The Story of a Dead Self" by Marie Corelli is a novel written during the late 19th century. The book explores themes such as spirituality, existentialism, and the search for truth through the journey of its main character, Theos Alwyn, an emotionally troubled English author seeking solace from the world's cynicism and his own internal despair. The narrative hints at a mystical encounter with a monk named Heliobas, who possesses powers that challenge Alwyn's perceptions of reality and existence. The opening of the novel vividly sets the scene in the Caucasus mountains amid a raging storm, capturing the reader's attention through the stark contrast between the chaotic external world and the peaceful atmosphere of a monastery where monks are engaged in contemplative worship. As Alwyn observes the monks, he grapples with his own skepticism about faith and the existence of God, leading to introspective reflections on life, truth, and the soul. The narrative unfolds as Alwyn expresses a desperate desire for relief from his suffering, ultimately leading to his request for a powerful transformation that will allow him to escape his discontent. This complex interplay between the physical and spiritual realms creates a rich tapestry of thought-provoking ideas that will appeal to those interested in philosophical and metaphysical explorations.
Ayn Rand
Anthem
"Anthem" by Ayn Rand is a dystopian novella written in 1937 and first published in 1938. In a future Dark Age where individuality has been erased and technology is controlled, a young man named Equality 7-2521 commits a forbidden act: secret scientific research. When his transgression is discovered, he flees into the wilderness with Liberty 5-3000, the woman he loves. Together, they seek to rediscover what their society has destroyed—the concept of the individual self.
Frank Belknap Long
The hounds of Tindalos
"The Hounds of Tindalos" by Frank Belknap Long is a short story published in the late 1920s and is part of the genre of weird fiction. This eerie narrative explores the boundaries of time and reality through the experiences of a protagonist who witnesses the horrific consequences of a friend's reckless experiment with a mind-altering drug. The story delves into themes of time travel, the nature of consciousness, and the existence of otherworldly beings that lurk beyond human perception. The tale begins with a character named Chalmers, who believes he can transcend time and access knowledge of the past and future through the use of an ancient drug. After his drug-fueled journey into time, he encounters terrifying entities known as the Hounds of Tindalos, who are said to exist outside the conventional dimensions understood by humankind. As he becomes engrossed in this horrifying experience, Chalmers loses touch with reality and physically deteriorates, ultimately succumbing to madness. His friend, who attempts to help him, grapples with the dreadful visions Chalmers describes—beings that threaten to invade the world through angles, symbolizing a primordial evil. In a climax filled with dread, Chalmers' fate unfolds in a haunting conclusion, leaving readers to ponder the thin veil between knowledge and horror, and what lurks beyond the limits of human understanding.
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