–published 2007
–278 pages, Ace Books
–Pre-nominations list for Nebula Award
–4.75/5 stars
Tripping around the internet I have seen a variety of reviews for Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Joe Haldeman’s latest offering, The Accidental Time Machine. They range from effusive praise to damning criticism and everything in between. What many of them do, without fail, is admit that Joe Haldeman is a singular author with stellar works of science fiction to his credit. I myself have limited experience with the works of Joe Haldeman, and unless this book wins an award this year, I have not read any of his award-winning fiction. What I can unequivocally say is that both of the Joe Haldeman books I have read, Old Twentieth and The Accidental Time Machine, have been a delight.
There is a certain type of book that reminds me of the kind of science fiction novel that got me hooked on the genre in the first place. Whenever I happen upon that type of book, be it older science fiction or something recently written, I cannot help but enjoy the experience. The Accidental Time Machine fits that mold. While some may criticize this type of work as “sci fi lite” or “more of the same ol’ schtick”, I truly believe that it takes a great deal of skill to write the type of science fiction that has broad appeal, a page-turning plot, an appealing central character, and enough science and vision to keep the story grounded in a science fiction universe. The Accidental Time Machine delivers just that kind of engaging story.
The Accidental Time Machine tells the story of young Matthew Fuller, a semi-motivated MIT lab assistant whose recent creation, a caliber built for nothing resembling time travel, begins disappearing and reappearing for no apparent reason. A series of experiments leads Matt to discover that the machine stays gone for predictably longer periods of time. It is not long before Matt decides to include himself in the experiments. Not surprisigly this leads to the kind of difficulties that impel Matthew to continue pushing the reset button on the make-shift time machine, sending himself to ever greater distances into the future. As the future becomes ever stranger, and more dangerous, Matthew cannot help but believe that an incident in his past indicates that he himself found a way back in time. That way back is Matthew’s only hope of delivery from a future that is nothing like the world he is from.
With The Accidental Time Machine Joe Haldeman has crafted a futuristic adventure story that is hard to put down. With each jump into the future the story becomes more interesting and more suspenseful for both Matthew Fuller and the reader. While scientific theory is certainly a part of the equation, Haldeman never diverts from the thrust of the story long enough to alientate the reader with scientific mumbo-jumbo. Instead he weaves that into the story in such a way that it does not detract from the adventure in even the slightest way. Matthew Fuller is a very likeable, accessible everyman and as such is a very comfortable hero for the reader to journey with. Along the way he meets interesting characters and finds himself in interesting situations that compel the reader to keep turning pages.
For me the very best science fiction adventure stories include a little romance and Joe Haldeman delivers that in a way reminiscent of the relationship in Jack Finney’s classic tale Time and Again. In fact there were more than a few similarities in these two stories that led me to feel a kinship between these tales. Do not misinterpret me to mean that one is a copy of the other. Joe Haldeman’s tale certainly stands on its own, but I felt a sense of comfortable nostalgia reading this story that no doubt stems from my previous enjoyment of Finney’s must-read classic.
Joe Haldeman’s more recent tales may not be comparable to his earlier award-winning classics. I am no judge of that. If however these past two novels are lesser creations from a science fiction master, then it certainly makes me want to read his older stories as both Old Twentieth and The Accidental Time Machine are thoroughly enjoyable, well written tales. The Accidental Time Machine engages the reader with a journey that is both suspenseful and fantastical and along the way brings two very likeable characters together in a way that is most fulfilling for an old romantic like myself. Read it!
My new years resolution and your new book a day reading habits and tempting reviews are just not compatible! I love any sci-fi that has anything to do with time travel. Always have….it’s a love affair that started with Wells’ The Time Machine. Looking forward to this one!
Sounds like a must-read. I’m so tempted–so very tempted–I don’t know that I can resist picking this up in the very near future. (If you remember, my library pile is already much much much too high.) But I love, love, love time travel. 🙂 We’ll just have to see if it’s on the library shelf come this Wednesday!
Sounds great. I have been meaning to read a Joe Haldeman novel since meeting him at a Scifi convention a year and half ago. He was such a gentlemen at the show. I’ve been meaning to read Forever War since then but maybe I’ll start with one of your suggestions. If any one else has read Forever War please let me know what you thought of it.
Chris: I must apologize but I simply cannot help it. The combination of the excitement of a new year coupled with the fact that I am reading my favorite genre has me in a reading frenzy. If you are a time travel fan and haven’t read the classic Time and Again by Jack Finney I have to say that it really is a must read. It is terrific. And I have no doubt that you would enjoy this as well.
Becky: Ditto what I said to Chris. I don’t doubt this is available at the library and thus would save you the money and make giving in to the temptation a no-brainer.
Jeff: I am wondering about Forever War as well. The premise for some reason just doesn’t grab me and I have found the two Haldeman’s that I have read to have the kind of premise that really sucked me in. I need to go ahead and give that one a try sometime I am sure.
after reading this post and Chris’s comment I wound up going and looking up info on Nicholas Meyer. He wrote and directed some of the Star Trek movies (the only director I’ve ever met) but he also wrote and directed the movie Time After Time.(among other movies)
Strange sometimes how one thing leads to another. In this case “time travel” led me to Nick Meyer.
It is always fascinating how sometimes one thing leads us on a trail of discovery, Deslily.
this one sounds pretty good too! I’ve always been interested in time travel stories so i guess i”ll have to look this up.Keeping with the sci-fi theme, have you ever seen the movie Primer? It is a super low budget one from 2004 where this group of tech friends accidentally build a time machine in their garage. It works really well.
Off the subject: I just opened an email from Amazon.com highlighting this new release (All Shall be Well…) and thought it might picque your interest. Thinking of you, Bellezza
https://webmail.ipsd.org/Session/15551-iDoQ2rN5cn5HN3uWc9OK/Message.wssp?mailbox=INBOX&MSG=27644
Cark – I know what your saying it’s just that The Forever War is the one that launched him and won all the awards so I thought I really should give it a look. War books aren’t my typical read for Scifi but that’s why I was thinking of that one for him.
Uhh? I’m mean Carl not Cark. I don’t think I know a Cark? 🙂
Cark…hmm, could that be my doppleganger. My evil twin?
Dammit Carl–will you please read something that doesn’t sound good once in a while?!!
Haldeman’s one of the most reliable if not best SciFi writer’s around. I always enjoy his swift plotting, clear prose and nifty and accessible concepts. I’ve read 6 or 7 of his novels and am slowly and happily making my way through his rich backlist.
ooooh, I see you’re reading Wastelands…I almost bought that the other night :p
Sorry Debi. It may offer you some comfort to know that I read half of a novel this weekend that I decided to put aside for awhile. It is one that is getting alot of buzz but that I was having a hard time with and decided, in order to give it a fair assessment, I needed to set it aside for awhile and get back to it when my mind was more in the mood for that kind of story.
David, that is a great assessment of both of the Haldeman stories I have read thus far. I am happy to know it is a trademark with him and will certainly cause me to read more of his stories in the future.
Well for crying out loud, I sent the wrong LINK! I meant this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0375424733/ref=pe_8900_8031200
for a newly released book which is supposed to be a fabulous, new age type of fairy tale. I hope it works this time.
It appears to work now, Bellezza and looks like an interesting read at that.
and, if you want to order anything off my account, feel free! 🙂 It just struck me especially because of your fun Once Upon A Time Challenge which increased my awareness of ‘fairy tales’ so much.
I have read Forever War by Haldeman and have to say it is one of the all-time greats. The book is really about how society changes over the course of a war lasting over a 1000 years. The protaganist ages only a few years, thanks to FTL travel, and the story is told through his eyes. Also try All My Sins Remembered.
Thanks for the positive thoughts about Forever War, it is one I really need to read. I obviously enjoy Haldeman’s writing, it only makes sense that I would read his most celebrated work.
oh, this review has got me so giddy with excitement that i didn’t even get through the first paragraph of your description!!!
its this bit that got me:
“.. built for nothing resembling time travel, begins disappearing and reappearing for no apparent reason..”
i love that accidental aspect of it. and then how he goes on to experiment and test whats going on! i love that style! its so basic – almost primal. man finding a mystery and then trying to discover whats at the heart of it.
oh dear carl – good reading for you clearly equals future good reading for me! 😀
there are just so many! so many. to quote beast “oh my stars and garters”. which surely, is a quote in itself? isn’t it? do you know who said it?
i think i’m going to make a blog wishlist – no, hold on, a general blog recommendation list and a sci fi blog recommendation list. and once i get through that tbr pile of mine – and its more of an ant hill now…! – then i’m gonna start climbing into some of these mouthwatering books you guys have been reading and tempting me with!
I feel your joyful pain, JP. My to read lists and wish lists and maybe someday lists grow exponentially because of tripping around the blogosphere. But that is ultimately a good thing.
I have heard that saying before, but I am not at all sure where it comes from.
This was a really entertaining and quick read. I’m super impressed with Haldeman’s writing.
Just had to come back and say how much in love with this novel I am. I loved it and can’t stop singing its praises. A true must read 🙂
I am so glad you read it and loved it, Becky. It really is great, isn’t it? I’m hoping to get my wife to give it a try.