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Indian Express
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
10 books that whisk you deep into the world of time travel
Written By Prachi Mishra Time travel is more than just a sci-fi trope, it's an imaginative leap between different points of time and across the boundaries of logic and possibility. And, it serves as a perfect plot for writers to weave their dystopian world. A world that they can structure on the premise of what if? Whether it's time dilation, wormholes, butterfly effect or parallel worlds, time travel fiction feeds our obsession with the past we can't change and the future we're so desperate to change. If you loved the narrative twists of Looper, the urgency of Run Lola Run, or the philosophical undertones of Source Code, here's a reading list that takes those themes deeper. Published in the year 1895, The Time Machine is a dystopian science fiction novel, considered the OG of time travel fiction. It follows the story of a scientist, called Time Traveller, who invents a machine that can carry people into the future, and that's how the world got the name Time Machine, which is still used to refer to the machine. And, when the Time Traveller sets on his expedition, he discovers the eerie remnants of human civilization, a world populated by the gentle Eloi and the sinister Morlocks, reality being completely different as appearances can be deceptive. The novel, apart from being a sci-fi tale, also serves as a critique of class inequality and human evolution. There are several film adaptations to this novel, but the book tops it all. Billed as the official sequel to The Time Machine and published in 1995, this epic expands the original's scope exponentially. Baxter dives deep into complex theories of quantum physics, parallel universes, and paradoxes which makes it a must-read for hard sci-fi lovers. Baxter in his novel hints to the infinite web of choices and realities created by time travel. And, building on the idea that time in itself is a space, Baxter writes, 'We all have our time machines, don't we. Those that take us back are memories…And those that carry us forward are dreams.' His statement points at the human experience of both memory and aspirations. What if you were born over and over into the same life, that too with all memories intact? Harry August lives, dies, and returns again in a closed-loop of consciousness. But when a fellow time traveler warns him of the future's collapse, Harry needs to break the cycle. In North's 2014 novel, reincarnation meets time travel. Both are concepts that might or might not be possible. The novel blends metaphysics with espionage and presents a haunting yet reflective narrative about time, choice, and consequence and introduces the concept of ouroboros and chronus club. And, therefore the course of action that Harry takes becomes pivotal when he tries to save the past and change the future. So, not all time travel stories are about saving the world. Some, like this one, are about saving moments. Henry has a genetic disorder that causes him to involuntarily leap through time, while Clare, the love of his life, is left to age normally. Niffenegger questions why love intensifies with absence and weaves a love story that's tragic, poignant, but deeply human simply proving that time doesn't need to be linear for love to be eternal. In Stephen King's 2011 novel, English teacher Jake Epping discovers a portal to 1958, and he takes up the mission to prevent John F. Kennedy's assassination that took place on November 22, 1963 (therefore, the title) itched as an important date in American history. But the past doesn't give up its secrets easily, the road Epping takes is full of obstacles and he also faces moral obligations. Stephen King delivers a sprawling, thrilling, and surprisingly emotional novel that's part historical epic, part metaphysical puzzle reminding us that time travel comes with a price. Oxford historian Kivrin travels to the 14th century for academic research and lands smack in the middle of the Black Death (a devastating period when bubonic plague swept across Europe and Asia). Willis crafts a dual-timeline narrative filled with emotion, dread, and quiet heroism and showcases the fragility of life, blending history with fiction. But, most importantly she draws the reader's attention to the human connections that defy centuries as he writes, 'I wanted to come, and if I hadn't, they would have been all alone, and nobody would have ever known how frightened and brave and irreplaceable they were'. Drafted into an interstellar war against an alien race, William Mandella returns to Earth decades later only to find it utterly changed due to relativistic time dilation. Haldeman, a Vietnam vet, uses time travel to explore the alienation of soldiers, the futility of war, and the chasm between those who fight and the world they leave behind. Haldeman's book bagged the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1975 and the Hugo and Locus awards in 1976. Daniel Eakins inherits a belt from his uncle Jim that allows him to travel through time. He explores every possible version of himself becoming his own mentor, friend, even lover. This mind-bending novel is more philosophical than action-packed, diving deep into identity, paradoxes, and the question of what makes 'you' you. Gerrold says, 'The past is the future. The future is the past. There's no difference between the two and either can be changed,' as we observe that Daniel also steps into the shoes of uncle Jim at a later stage and realizes that his life has come full circle and a young Daniel is soon going to inherit the belt from him. Part espionage thriller and partly epistolary romance, this co-authored lyrical novella follows two rival time-traveling agents, Red and Blue, from warring futures. Both the agents start leaving letters for each other across centuries, one of which is titled, 'Burn before reading', and as the story progresses enemies become allies, and war becomes poetry. But, the challenge still lies as they are from enemy empires, and despite their undying love the society is forcing them to act otherwise. What follows is a gripping tale of love and rebellion. Heinlein, a cat-lover, got the novel's idea when on a snowy day he was wanting his cat to go out and explore the snow but even after he presented multiple openings to go out, the cat just did not leave and kept crying and then his wife pointed out that it might be looking for a door into summer. And, that's how Heinlein's 1957 novel, which blends corporate betrayal, cryogenics, and a quirky cat named Pete, was written. After being double-crossed by business partners, Dan Davis puts himself into suspended animation, waking decades later to set things right. A lighter, optimistic tale of redemption, invention, and yes, a second chance at summer.
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
‘Sew Torn': A Seamstress So Torn Between Right and Wrong
R | 1h 40m | Crime, Thriller, Comedy | 2025 'Sew Torn,' directed by Freddy Macdonald, is an eccentric, whimsical crime thriller that's not a time-loop movie, but may appeal to those who enjoy choose-your-own-adventure novels. Barbara (Eve Connolly), a beautiful, introverted, and anxious American living in Switzerland, runs a sewing supply shop and a mobile seamstress business that her mother left her after she died. One day, Barbara, driving scenic Swiss mountain backroads, happens upon what initially looks like the aftermath of a drug deal gone terribly wrong—it's actually a crime in progress. Two motorcyclists have crashed. There's white powder strewn about, there's a bulky metal case we immediately surmise is chock full of cash, and the injured and bleeding men are crawling down the road. One is in hot (if snail-paced and agonized) pursuit of the other, with murderous intent. Which Scenario? Much like the 1999 German movie 'Run Lola Run,' three very different timelines are presented: 1) commit the perfect crime, 2) call the police, or 3) just drive away. Which do you fancy? (L–R) Beck (Thomas Douglas), Barbara (Eve Connolly), and Joshua (Calum Worthy) in "Sew Torn." Sunrise Films The film's main conceit and artifice (and fun) is the revelation that Barbara is a seamstress version of big wall rock climber. She's got fancy knots, she knows pulleys, anchoring, hauling, and grappling-iron techniques, but on a Lilliputian scale. And so, utilizing only the contents of her mobile sewing kit, she outwits, outsmarts, and outguns the bad guys with elaborate Rube Goldberg-esque contraptions. She can rig a makeshift blow gun, blow a threaded needle across a room, and set a booby-trap. Or reel in a pistol without getting fingerprints on it. Only instead of a 9.5mm climbing rope, carabiners, and ice axes, she uses thread and sewing needles. Most of Barbara's little contraptions aren't traced out in enough detail to be persuasive, but enough to be able to suspend disbelief, if only for the sake of comedy. Related Stories 5/2/2025 4/30/2025 The Bad Guys The drug dealer and drug buyer are Joshua (Calum Worthy) and Beck (Thomas Douglas), respectively. Sometimes they're Barbara's allies, sometimes they're antagonists, but in every timeline she has to deal with Hudson (John Lynch), the drug-dealing head honcho, who demeans and verbally abuses both her, and Joshua, his son. It's only when the last domino falls that you fully understand these elaborate, inventive, and unique ways of clobbering criminals with simple household objects. But in the same way all the thread-centric gizmos, contraptions, and strategies gloss over establishing realism and stretch credibility to the max, the entire blackly comedic and surprisingly violent yarn, er, thread, is kind of threadbare—lots of loose ends. Promotional poster for "Sew Torn." Sunrise Films Ultimately, not all will find this far-fetched concept agreeable. The film's main error is revealing the outcome of each particular story-thread in the film's opening moments. When it's evident each discrete section won't end well, it dulls the suspense, which is why talking about it here isn't really a spoiler. But 'Sew Torn' is more about the journey than the destination, and viewers who can appreciate the whimsy and idiosyncratic inventiveness will enjoy the ride. Also, there's a more profound theme at work here, whether intentional or not. In Norse mythology, the Norns—Urd, Veroandi, and Skuld—are the three goddesses who govern destiny. Living at the foot of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, the Norns tirelessly weave the tapestry of human fate, with each string representing a life, and the string's length representing brevity or longevity. Barbara (Eve Connolly) experiencing a bad outcome resulting from her deeds, in "Sew Torn." Sunrise Films Each of Barbara's life threads ends badly. Why? Could it be that because, regardless of the scenario, the overwhelming desire to abscond with that briefcase full of money, and the cold, calculated, lack of remorse behind her ruthless string-pulling—is the constant? Could it be that the karma emanating from those thoughts unswervingly leads her back to the same outcome, until such time when she divests herself of them via harsh life lessons? If that's intentionally what's going on here, that's pretty brilliant. 'Sew Torn' is on digital platforms from 31 March. Promotional poster for "Sew Torn." Sunrise Films 'Sew Torn' Director: Freddy Macdonald Starring: Eve Connolly, Calum Worthy, Thomas Douglas, John Lynch MPAA Rating: R Running Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes Release Date: April 25, 2025 Rating: 3 stars out of 5 Would you like to see other kinds of arts and culture articles? Please email us your story ideas or feedback at
Reuters
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Berlin Film Festival opening film sends message that migrants welcome, says star
BERLIN, Feb 13 (Reuters) - The Berlin Film Festival's opening feature, dysfunctional family drama "The Light," sends the unequivocal message that migrants are welcome, said star Lars Eidinger, ahead of German elections characterised by debate over tougher migration rules. The film shows "that someone coming from the outside can also help and we can benefit from them and they don't want to take anything away from us," he told Reuters in an interview. "It's in fact the opposite, they can contribute," said Eidinger, who plays the film's sellout father, Tim Engels. Migration is a top concern for German voters ahead of national elections on Feb. 23, the last day of the festival, with the far-right, anti-Islam and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party polling second in most surveys. Politics threaten to overshadow this year's festival, despite organisers' hopes that conversation centres on cinema. "Run Lola Run" director Tom Tykwer's nearly three-hour opus follows the Engels family, who are so preoccupied with their own lives, whether video games, work or clubbing, that they barely notice when the housekeeper dies at their smart Berlin apartment. Tykwer, one of the creators of hit historical series "Babylon Berlin," told Reuters that while he sees shades of the Weimar Republic interwar period that saw the rise of the Nazis in the present day, people today are also notably different. "We're really not the same crowd that lived 90 years ago. Like, we're not like our grandparents, so who are we?" he said, adding he wanted to look at what "we are doing with this world that's in such turmoil". The family begins to bridge their disconnect after Farrah, a Syrian refugee played by Tala Al Deen, enters their lives as the new housekeeper, along with her unique light therapy device. In contrast to the Engels family, Farrah lives in a small block apartment with several other women, without her family. Nicolette Krebitz, who plays the mother, Milena Engels, said it was difficult to portray a character whose privilege and hypocrisy undergo such unflinching scrutiny in the film. "You don't want to see yourself being a white privileged person, being unhappy about things compared to what the other leading lady in the film (Farrah) is experiencing," Krebitz told Reuters.
