Before the Time Machine

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A woman out of time, and a man ahead of his

What happens when an ordinary historical scholar and an up-and-coming writer of a century before compare notes?

In nineteenth-century England, young H.G. Wells struggles to become a success as a science teacher against the odds of poverty and low social status. But he has a talent for telling stories, and a sense of his own destiny.

Over a century later in California, middle-aged Katherine is a college professor who creates a research project about young Wells solely so she can visit the England she knows from books and television.

He works his way up by making his own opportunities, challenging the systems designed to keep him in his place. She observes the quirkiness of everyday experiences, noting her encounters with strangers, archivists, and cathedral canons, even as she faces challenges in her own life.

They become companions, their journeys punctuated by conversations about life, love, illness, success, learning, death, and self-fulfillment.

Their trajectories converge across time, in a friendship as inspiring as it is unlikely, a story of a women out of time, and a man ahead of his.

“A compelling story of a friendship that leaves the reader wanting to learn more about Wells and his works.” – Bob Mayberry, Amazon

“The writing is whimsical and I felt I was truly there with the author and with Wells himself. I found myself transported and quite taken with the journey and with the character of Wells that develops. Climb inside this book and be transported in so many lovely ways.” – Julie Cord, Amazon

“In a way I felt like I had climbed into a front row seat in Katherine’s head, her eyes my portal to her world and the little voice in her head, constantly narrating, in a stream of consciousness, as my guide through Katherine’s interesting adventures.” – Rick Walton, Amazon

 

Before the Time Machine
Novella, 156 pages
Literary Fiction / Historical Fiction
ISBN: 979-8-9853027-0-7 (paperback) 979-8-9853027-1-4 (e-book) 979-8-9869845-3-7 (hardcover)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2021924696