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Original poster

Time travel books

63 replies

MargotMoon · 19/04/2026 06:52

Are there any time travel novels that are well-written with a tight plot, or am I just picking bad ones?

I love the concept of time travel novels but in my experience the writing is really crap and never really fulfils its potential. I’m currently halfway through the Ministry of Time and it feels like the author has lost faith in her conceit and the idea is going nowhere so it’s going to turn into a romance thing, which just feels really boring.

See also: Connie Willis, Jodi Taylor, the Time Travellers Wife…

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BingoBnago · 27/08/2026 15:02

Charlotte Sometimes (children’s book)
Space Hopper

OkyDoke · 27/08/2026 14:57

I recently read The Traveler by Joseph Eckert and thought it was brilliant.

BrandiedAromatics · 27/08/2026 14:27

I read Ministry of Time but I did not connect with it.

Yes, for The House on the Strand (Tywardreath, in Cornish).

Yes, also to David Mitchell's universe. Not time travel but travelling back and forth in time with interconnecting characters. Slade House certainly has a parallel dimension.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 27/08/2026 11:15

“Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency”

I relistened to the audio book of this recently on a couple of long car journeys - it's so good. I think i might even like it more than Hitchhiker's Guide.

HearMeSnore · 26/08/2026 23:05

If you don’t mind a bit of comic weirdness with your time travel then try “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency”. It’s my most re-read book. Hilarious and clever and totally bonkers but I never tire of it.

(BTW it has absolutely nothing to do with the TV series of the same name. That was a complete re-imagining and nothing like the book.)

AbacusCat · 25/08/2026 18:13

If you are open to YA and not recently published, Tim Kennemore's Changing Times is the best tome travel novel I have ever read

ReadingCrimeFiction · 25/08/2026 17:48

CarpeVitam · 25/08/2026 17:22

It’s by Scott Goodfellow. At least I can’t find one by Wyndham.

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I tracked it down and read it. It was a short story. Very short. Grin

CarpeVitam · 25/08/2026 17:25

CarpeVitam · 25/08/2026 17:22

It’s by Scott Goodfellow. At least I can’t find one by Wyndham.

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Ignore me - I see Wyndham’s is part of a collection.

CarpeVitam · 25/08/2026 17:22

ReadingCrimeFiction · 20/04/2026 07:24

I thought I had read all john Wyndham books!!! <rushes to Amazon>

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It’s by Scott Goodfellow. At least I can’t find one by Wyndham.

Variationofnormal · 24/08/2026 23:20

I like the accidental time traveller

Also beswitched and Charlotte sometimes if you like children's books

Philandbill · 13/08/2026 12:19

GasperyJacquesRoberts · 13/08/2026 09:13

Sea of Tranquility was wonderful. I really love her writing.

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I see where your user name comes from 😁

GasperyJacquesRoberts · 13/08/2026 09:13

Philandbill · 13/08/2026 00:00

Also loved The Sea of Tranquility.
None of my friends have read her books aren't keen to try sadly.

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Sea of Tranquility was wonderful. I really love her writing.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 13/08/2026 07:46

I re-read Charlotte Sometimes recently, on the back of this thread. I read it decades ago and enjoyed the story. This time around I appreciated the craftsmanship as well. Superb.

WildClover · 13/08/2026 07:38

Nicola Cornick writes some great timeslip books.

SpunkyKhakiScroller · 13/08/2026 07:23

If you like fantasy, The Everlasting by Alix Harrow might be worth a try.

Philandbill · 13/08/2026 00:00

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 20/04/2026 11:14

Ooh other great ones

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel

also it’s not out until September but Understory by Chloe Benjamin is wonderful

Also loved The Sea of Tranquility.
None of my friends have read her books aren't keen to try sadly.

TheAverageJoanne · 12/08/2026 16:19

MrsMoastyToasty · 19/04/2026 22:03

Barbara Erskine's books involve time travel as well as hypnosis and regression

They don't, it's time slips, not time travel.

RipplePlease · 20/04/2026 13:00

Another huge time travel fan here!
I loved The Ministry of Time and disliked the Jodi Taylor books.
If anyone is interested, there’s an episode of Screenshot dedicated to the portrayal of time travel in film on bbc Sounds which is great.
I’ve had the Michael Crichton book in my Amazon basket for ages!

tarheelbaby · 20/04/2026 11:48

I've just enjoyed Every Time We Burn (aka The Time of the Fire) by Emma Kavanagh.
It's not time travel exactly but more of a Sliding Doors style plot where the main character flips between two parallel story lines which hinge on a pivotal incident.

another vote for
The House on the Strand
Life after Life

The Edge of Dark by Pamela Hartshorne

ghostyslovesheets · 20/04/2026 11:38

My top 4 ‘timey’ books

Orlando
sexing the cherry
human croquet
mythago wood

Celiathebanshee · 20/04/2026 11:29

I found the ministry of time really disappointing, after such good reviews.
The Elly Griffiths series is not bad (but quite light, don't know if that is ok for you or not)
I loved Barbara Erskine years ago - don't know whether I still would but definitely worth a go.
Outlander was not for me.
Some great recommendations on this thread

Harshreality · 20/04/2026 11:17

Timeline by Michael Crichton is fantastic

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 20/04/2026 11:14

Ooh other great ones

Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel

also it’s not out until September but Understory by Chloe Benjamin is wonderful

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