Paul Gardiner
asked
Elan Mastai:
Hi, Having read a ridiculous amount of time travel novels I would just like to say that I really enjoyed your novel and it brought something new to the genre or sub genre which isn't easy. Congratulations and I look forward to your next novel. So a question... I'm sure that you read a lot of time travel novels while researching, what are your top 3 or more if you like?
Elan Mastai
This is an extremely difficult question! My top 3 would have to be...
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Because it's the book that first introduced me to time travel as both genre plot and psychological metaphor. I reread it a few months ago and some aspects don't hold up 49 years later, but its influence is lasting.
The Time-Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Unlike this book, I took the science of time travel seriously in mine. But this book reminded me that what matters, ultimately, is what time travel does to the characters, emotionally. That's where the book's true impact on the reader happens. So even though I think our books are quite different, it influenced me a lot.
Version Control by Dexter Palmer. I read this book after mine was published, so it didn't influence the writing. But I loved it and its approach really resonated with me. I think if I'd made Victor and Rebecca (Tom's parents) the protagonists of All Our Wrong Todays, I would've ended up with a book a lot like this one.
What are your time travel favourites? Always looking for good recommendations?
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Because it's the book that first introduced me to time travel as both genre plot and psychological metaphor. I reread it a few months ago and some aspects don't hold up 49 years later, but its influence is lasting.
The Time-Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. Unlike this book, I took the science of time travel seriously in mine. But this book reminded me that what matters, ultimately, is what time travel does to the characters, emotionally. That's where the book's true impact on the reader happens. So even though I think our books are quite different, it influenced me a lot.
Version Control by Dexter Palmer. I read this book after mine was published, so it didn't influence the writing. But I loved it and its approach really resonated with me. I think if I'd made Victor and Rebecca (Tom's parents) the protagonists of All Our Wrong Todays, I would've ended up with a book a lot like this one.
What are your time travel favourites? Always looking for good recommendations?
More Answered Questions
Hannah M.
asked
Elan Mastai:
I was wondering if you have any story ideas such as characters, items, or places that you've thrown out or given up on that I can use for one of my stories? The story that I'm thinking of is about an island where all story bits end up if they are thrown out or given up on. I've asked other authors so I can get a variety and some truth to the story. It's fine if you don't want to share any. Thanks. ~Hannah
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more