Everyone has a time machine. Everyone is a time machine. It’s just that most people’s machines are broken.
Charles Yu – How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe
Personal Time Machines
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“How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe” by Charles Yu is a thought-provoking novel that blends science fiction with metafictional elements. The story follows Charles Yu, a time machine repairman who spends his days fixing malfunctioning time machines and grappling with his own existential dilemmas. Estranged from his reality-bending inventor father, Yu embarks on a quest through time and memory, searching for a way to reconcile his past and find meaning in his existence. The novel explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the nature of reality itself, using its inventive narrative style to playfully dissect the tropes and conventions of science fiction storytelling. Through its mix of humor, introspection, and imaginative storytelling, “How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe” offers a unique and deeply engaging exploration of human experience in a speculative context.