Books › Thrice Upon a Time
Thrice Upon a Time
First published 1980 · 416 pages
A cerebral exploration of temporal physics that accelerates into a tense, high-stakes dilemma of ultimate sacrifice.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into an isolated laboratory where intellectual curiosity slowly gives way to apocalyptic dread. It begins as a cerebral exploration of theoretical physics and temporal paradoxes, wrapping the reader in a knotty, speculative atmosphere. As the implications of altering the past become clear, the narrative accelerates, shifting from a quiet mystery into a high-stakes, ticking-clock thriller. The prose is idea-driven, prioritizing the mechanics of time and the philosophical weight of existence over flowery language. It is a perfect fit for readers who crave classic science fiction that wrestles with the heavy burden of knowledge and culminates in grim, emotionally devastating sacrifices for the survival of the world.
- Mood
- cerebral
- isolated
- tense
- apocalyptic
- Tone
- analytical
- speculative
- urgent
- grim
- Pace
- propulsive
- Themes
- temporal paradoxes · the burden of knowledge · sacrifice for the greater good · fragility of existence
- The writing
- Idea-driven and focused, prioritizing the mechanics of speculative physics and escalating tension over ornate language.
- The arc
- Moves from intellectual curiosity and isolated wonder to a grim, high-stakes realization of necessary sacrifice.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love classic, hard science fiction that wrestles with knotty time-travel paradoxes and heavy ethical dilemmas.
Content notes
- apocalyptic stakes
- self-sacrifice
About the book
When Murdoch was summoned to his grandfather's isolated Scottish castle, he had no idea of the old man's latest discovery -- nor where it would lead him. Sir Charles, a genius in far-out physics, had found a flew in the law of conservation of energy; in any process, an incredibly tiny increment of energy escaped -- back through time! Using this "tau" radiation, he could send messages into the past. But Murdoch discovered records of messages he knew he had never sent. Were many futures possible? Could a message from Future X alter the past -- and thus wipe out Future X? But who would be foolish enough to send a message that could eliminate his own existence? Then disaster struck. An advanced fusion reactor threatened to destroy all Earth. Grimly, Murdoch sat down to send back the words that would destroy everything he had learned to love. (description from Goodreads)
Description from Open Library.
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