The Psychology Of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas. Harper Collins, £10.49
The book begins with four female scientists and best friends who develop a machine to time travel in 1967. All seems to be going well until one of them, Barbara, uses it on her own and has a breakdown. In 2017 Ruby, Barbara’s grand-daughter is living with her when they receive a message warning of an older woman’s death in February 2018. In January 2018 Odette finds the body of a woman at work and the book switches between each of the three time periods, linking them all together into a brilliantly clever story of time travel, relationships and psychology.
Who is it aimed at?
This is one of those books that I would recommend to absolutely anyone, as the themes and content really provide something for everyone to enjoy.
What was your favourite part?
My favourite aspect of The Psychology Of Time Travel was perhaps reading about the characters and the ways they interacted with each other. Plot is often the main focus in books based around time travel, and though the plot was prominent, none of the attention to detail in characterisation was lost which I value immensely and really enjoyed.
What was your least favourite part?
This is my favourite piece of time travel fiction but occasionally I found it rather emotionally heavy, making it all too easy to want to take a break. Once I really got into it, however, this ceased to be a problem.
Which character would you most like to meet?
I was immediately fascinated by Barbara and her presence both as a young person in the 1960s and in the modern day. She was always of interest to me, especially with the trauma she experienced.
Why should someone buy this book?
I found it to be intriguing, funny and emotional in all the right places.
