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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…

OP posts:
DreamingOfGeneHunt · 20/04/2026 10:28

UnaOfStormhold · 20/04/2026 08:39

Diana.Wynne Jones' The time of the ghost is worth a read. In some ways it's aimed at a YA audience but more poignant to read as an adult.

Oh yes I love this book! I read half of it in the school library when I was 8 and then wasn't allowed to read the rest because it wasn't "suitable" and couldn't remember what it was called for over 30 years.

Found it last year and it's very good even as an adult.

sashh · 20/04/2026 09:09

Tom's midnight garden - yes it is a children's book.

The time traveller's wife.

The witches of East Chiswick

flatwhiteinabucket · 20/04/2026 08:55

Second that @Albertroad Santa Montefiore is a brilliant novelist.

Albertroad · 20/04/2026 08:50

I love Time travel books too! Santa Montefiore has a trilogy starting with Shadows in the moonlight, followed by secrets of the starlit sea. The third part is due out this summer. I cant wait for the third installment!

Also the frequency of us by Keith Stuart is fabulous.

UnaOfStormhold · 20/04/2026 08:39

Diana.Wynne Jones' The time of the ghost is worth a read. In some ways it's aimed at a YA audience but more poignant to read as an adult.

tattoolondon · 20/04/2026 08:19

On the calculation of volume by Slovej Balle. Premise is Groundhog Day but that’s the only thing it has in common, it’s gentle and moving and emotional. Half way through (short book) and v much liking it

BeaAndBen · 20/04/2026 08:13

ReadingCrimeFiction · 20/04/2026 07:24

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

Show quote history

It's in the Seeds Of Time collection, a novelette.

ReadingCrimeFiction · 20/04/2026 07:24

BeaAndBen · 19/04/2026 22:09

If you fancy an old school 60s time travel story I recommend Chronochlasm by John Wyndham

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

Original poster
MargotMoon · 20/04/2026 07:19

Melarus · 19/04/2026 22:52

Replay by Ken Grimwood is a time loop novel published in 1987. It's very good - more emotionally moving than most.

Yes, my aunt gave me this to read as a teenager in the 90s, it’s very good.

OP posts:
VanillaImpulse · 19/04/2026 23:03

Time Tangle by Frances Eager - it’s a kids book but I love it

JenniferJupiterr · 19/04/2026 22:59

Lost in time by Lois Duncan

Darkmark · 19/04/2026 22:56

Ferney by James Long. And it's sequel - The Lives She Left Behind. Excellently written, rich, historical novels which are more than just love stories.

Melarus · 19/04/2026 22:52

Replay by Ken Grimwood is a time loop novel published in 1987. It's very good - more emotionally moving than most.

RampantIvy · 19/04/2026 22:52

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/04/2026 22:30

The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier.

A good choice.

thesecondmrsdewinter20 · 19/04/2026 22:30

The House on the Strand by Daphne Du Maurier.

spindrifft · 19/04/2026 22:16

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis is my favourite by far. Beautifully written.

BeaAndBen · 19/04/2026 22:09

If you fancy an old school 60s time travel story I recommend Chronochlasm by John Wyndham

ReignOfError · 19/04/2026 22:04

I enjoyed Black Lake Manor by Guy amorous - not exactly time travel, but time stops/changes and restarts.

MrsMoastyToasty · 19/04/2026 22:03

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

TheBookShelf · 19/04/2026 21:41

Time and Again/Jack Finney. I loved this one (and there's a sequel, From Time to Time).

Monvelo · 19/04/2026 20:55

I like "to say nothing of the dog" I think it's by Connie Wilks if I'm remembering correctly. And "how to stop time" by Matt Haig.

Silverbirchleaf · 19/04/2026 20:53

The Frozen People - Elly Griffith

Pigtailsandall · 19/04/2026 20:53

I liked Life after Life by Kate Atkinson - it's not strictly time travel, but about a woman who keeps resetting her life and starting her life over and over again till she gets it "right"

Original poster
MargotMoon · 19/04/2026 20:22

Thanks everyone, loads of great suggestions here, my wish list is getting v.long :)

I did enjoy 11.22.63 although I listened to the audio book and rather wish I’d read it so I could check back on things that had happened more easily

OP posts:
ComingtoKent · 19/04/2026 17:11

Keith A Pearson has written several - definitely worth a read.