Bound in Time

by D.F. Jones

Dr. Mark Elver can only stare at the man sitting across from him. Joe Heimblatt has just proposed the impossible – time travel.

However, after viewing the successful tests and experiments, Mark is strangely tempted by the possibility. Recently diagnosed with a heart condition that reduces his life expectancy to a couple years, he agrees to be the first human guinea pig and jump more than 400 years into the future.

The future can only be an improvement. New technology may mean a way to save his life. Or if not, at least he gets to travel and experience something new before he leaves.

After arriving, Mark finds the future to be a strange and dangerous place. He encounters primitive children among sophisticated technology. The dangers of the future Earth haven’t even begun to reveal themselves…

After being whisked into space by a strange people, he discovers a rather soporific society living, self-contained, on a space station. Upon learning that Joe has followed him into the future, Mark follows in his steps and makes his way to the people living on the Moon.

Though Mark hated how the station was run, he quickly discovers that life on the Moon is dangerous; trading no leadership for a dictatorship was not beneficial.

Will he be able to return to Earth?

In Bound in Time, Mark learns about human nature, survival and passion in a brilliantly prophetic and timeless journey. This suspenseful story gives readers a gut-wrenching look at a possible future and what happens when humanity pushes too far.



‘Full marks for this technological horror story. A combination of cybernetics and suspense that adds up to real SF’ – Sunday Citizen

‘A whip-cracker…’ - Chicago Tribune

'It chilled my blood' - The Yorkshire Post

'Horrifying instalment of the man vs. machine competition' - New York Times

Dennis Feltham Jones was a British Science Fiction author; he was a Naval Commander in World War II, and lived in Cornwall until his death in 1981. His writings dealt with the ongoing battle – both physical and philosophical – between man and machine. He is perhaps most famous for his Colossus series, which was translated to the big screen in 1970 for the film The Forbin Project, which was well received by critics, and was nominated for a Hugo Award in 1971.

Venture Press is a science fiction and fantasy imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK’s leading independent digital publisher. We are committed to the discovery and rediscovery of immensely talented authors in the SFF genre, and continue to push boundaries in search of great literature. Join us as we venture across universes and unknown landscapes – past, present and future.

Genres: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Fiction

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Dennis Feltham Jones, a British Science Filction Author wrote under the byline D.F. Jones

Reviews

[Tex-49 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molto avvincente: un medico viaggia nello spazio e incontra diverse evoluzioni del futuro della Terra.

[Antonio Ippolito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Che packaging sapeva dare Urania! Con un titolo (l’originale è un banale “Bound in time, “balzo nel tempo”) e una copertina di Thole così, spronato dai buoni commenti di colleghi fantascientisti, e memore di un ottimo romanzo di questo autore (l’angosciante ”Xeno, l’abominio che ci aspetta”, Urania 892), come non esserne attratto?
Mark, medico a cui è stato diagnosticata una malformazione cardiaca che lo porterà alla tomba in un paio d’anni al massimo, e comunque è già vedovo di moglie e figlio, ha l’occasione di fare da cavia a una macchina del tempo artigianale, che lo fionderà più o meno quattrocento anni nel futuro: seguono avventure e vicissitudini sul pianeta Terra del 2480, chiaramente devastato da secoli di guerre, nonchè su una stazione spaziale e sulla colonia lunare, che riescono a sopravvivere in autonomia, anche se diversamente opprimenti: la prima una colonia collettivista dove ogni individualismo è stato dimenticato e perfino il sesso banalizzato (ci penserà il nostro maschio degli anni ’70 a farne riscoprire il lato “selvaggio”!), la seconda una tirannia feroce basata sul terrore e sul sadismo (con qualche reminescenza della serie di “Gor” di John Norman, uscita a partire dal 1966).
Il nostro eroe riuscirà a castigare il crudele tiranno, sopravvivere al lupo gigante visto in copertina, salvare una famigliola di orfani, e anche a evitare pericolosi paradossi temporali nel frattempo, anche se pagherà un caro prezzo per questo.. È una lettura avvincente, che trovo utile a chiarire le differenze tra un romanzo di valoire letterario (anche nell’ambito di un genere) e uno che è invece ottimo artigianato, come questo. Jones sa narrare: la trama è sempre tesa, ogni scena è coinvolgente e ben descritta, i personaggi interessanti (nella loro superficialità), i topoi della fantascienza utilizzati senza risparmio (viaggio nel tempo e paradossi, dopobomba, mutazioni genetiche, utopia e distopia), le incongruenze trascurabili (la principale il sentimento, naturalmente ricambiato ma sottotraccia, per la dura soldatessa Gloria: che non si capisce come e perchè nasca). Sicuramente un romanzo che da ragazzino avrei amato di più, ma che oggi mi fa dire: bello, ma il senso di tutto alla fine qual è? Pregi e difetti dell’artigianato ben esemplificati dal finale: sorprendente, crudele e narrativamente molto efficace, ma in fondo.. perché?
Dal punto di vista del costume, è interessante: per il sentimento di incombente sconfitta degli USA da parte dell’URSS; soprattutto per il protagonista, che sembra uscito da “Playboy”, rivista e mentalità che nell’82 erano all’apice della popolarità e dell’influenza culturale: è un gagliardo maschio etero che va a caccia, beve e fuma, e non si fa scappare una femmina, libera o schiava (anche perchè si offrono loro, o vengono offerte) e naturalmente facendole contente tutte; dedicando un “cresci bene che ripasso” a una preadolescente e rifiutando signorilmente la condivisione di una adolescente ben disponibile (anche se a fine romanzo confesserà di non ricordare il loro viso, di una nemmeno il nome; di fatto ricorderà solo quelle con cui non è (ancora) andato a letto). C’è anche un momento di derisione degli omosessuali, fortunatamente presto abbandonato.
Vista la disparità di pagine con l’edizione originale, ho voluto leggere questa, ma in effetti è vero che la paginazione di Urania permetteva di ridurne del 20% il numero, considerando anche che non c’è il salto pagina a ogni capitolo; solo numerose “asciugature” di frasi dalle scene erotiche più fantasiose (fantasiose fino a un certo punto: l’autore è pur sempre un ufficiale della Marina britannica in congedo.. e comunque ne restano abbastanza).

[C Finlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my all-time favorite Scifi book. Yes, some parts are a bit corny but I can get over those because the concepts and ideas DF Jones introduces to me the reader are truly riveting i.e. the fountain scene. The book never gets bog down with over padded ethereal writing that leaves you wanting to skip endless over bloated chapters to get at the action. The book is simply written, to the point and imprints some fantastic images into the mind that stay there. I first read this book in 1984, loved it, lent it, lost it and finally found it again years later thanks to endless internet searches (I had forgotten by then the title and author, and could only remember some of the characters). I think I have read this book six or seven times now and still, it's a real treat each time! It's never going to win a Nobel Prize in Literature or a Pulitzer or whatever but it's still a great read and I'm never going to lose this copy.

[Geoeng51 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book - interesting take on the nature of time travel and on a future earth scenario. The plot was realistic and developed logically. There was lots of excitement and believable characters. The only disappointment was the ending (sorry; won't spoil it any further). The ending felt contrived - something that allowed the story to end, but also it was a downer after all that had been achieved by the protagonist. No, he doesn't die. That's all I'll say.

[Chip · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average time-travelling book. The story lacks in the fact it is a "renaissance man book" - one man does nearly everything. IMO, this does NOT allow much depth to the plot. It goes from one location to another without much rhyme or reason (it really is the author playing with ideas) and the main character is able to overcome issues without barely batting an eye. And the end is HORRIBLE!

[Stephen Rowland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some neat ideas but mostly a silly male fantasy with an abrupt, unsatisfying ending.

[Les75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ottimo prodotto di fantascienza pessimistica: il futuro che ci aspetta non è per nulla invitante, per lo meno secondo l'immaginazione di D.F. Jones. I personaggi di contorno sono meglio caratterizzati rispetto al protagonista, tuttavia è un romanzo breve molto godibile, con una trama allucinata, ma realistica. Il colpo di scena finale è da manuale dark.

[Myke Crombleholme · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite author, my favourite book. A simple, but engaging time travel tale, that I have to read every year or two (currently on approx tenth reading). Similar to another reviewer I have lent this, lost it, misplaced it....so I currently own three copies, just in case!
It would have made a great movie.

[Ronnie Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

A fast paced, good read with enough action and slight of hand to keep me turning the pages. Recommend it.

[Zeusthedog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Viaggi nel tempo in un racconto che non decolla ma non è nemmeno noioso. Così Così.

[Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound in Time is an excellent book for the most part. It's vision of the future is both creative and surprising, delivering information about the 400 year time gap within the novel sparingly which added to the wonder and mystery of the novel. You never get any information too soon, especially when it comes to some very dark surprises within the story.

My biggest issue with the novel is contained within it's ending, specifically within it's final few pages. Some people may love it, but for me the last moments of the final chapter left me feeling unsatisfied and let down.

That said, this novel in it's entirety is excellent and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a unique time travel novel.

[Natasha du Plessis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Mark's story. It was interesting to read a book published in the 80's and how they then saw the possibility of a future 400 years from now. There was three different scenario's that all took place during the same time. It was strange that even though the people lived in the same time they did not influence how the 'other half' lived. Really did not like Boss but on the whole an enjoyable read. Made me think about sci-fi that I read when I was a lot younger. I would recommend this book if you are into Sci-fi.

[Venture Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is published by Venture Press.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great traditional aci fi.

[Mary Ann Von Aschen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

If you enjoy time travel stories, you will like this one. I was very interested in how the story unfolded.

[Victoria M Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story,

I enjoy this writer's work,
Strong characters,great plot. How dare these jerks DEMAND I write a certain number of words, what nerve,