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Time Capsel
A note from the editor―
I’m a big fan of Jonathan Maas’s short fiction, but if I had to choose one tale to be my favorite, it would be this one―Time Capsel.
Originally published in the collection Thylacine Dreams, this is a tale of a woman named Capsel who travels through time― not by breaking the speed of light or anything like that―but by entering a stasis pod at regular intervals.
Each entry is a one-way journey, and each time she emerges―she finds that the world is in a very different place.
We don’t know why she is doing this at first, but in vintage Jonathan Maas fashion―Capsel’s true purpose is eventually revealed, and it is quite grand indeed.
This tale holds themes of solitude, global warming and the future of humanity. It has a strong female lead, and though it is aimed at adults, it can also be read by a YA audience.
Fans of Ted Chiang will like this one, as well as readers who want a book they can read in one sitting.
So wake up with Capsel and see what the future holds for us―you will be quite surprised indeed.
-J. Shaw, Editor, Cynical Optimist Press
For fans of Ted Chiang, Blake Crouch, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Yuval Noah Harari
For fans of Science Fiction, SciFi, Strong Female Leads, Environmental Fiction, Future Worlds, Young Adult, YA, Humanity and Time Travel
I’m a big fan of Jonathan Maas’s short fiction, but if I had to choose one tale to be my favorite, it would be this one―Time Capsel.
Originally published in the collection Thylacine Dreams, this is a tale of a woman named Capsel who travels through time― not by breaking the speed of light or anything like that―but by entering a stasis pod at regular intervals.
Each entry is a one-way journey, and each time she emerges―she finds that the world is in a very different place.
We don’t know why she is doing this at first, but in vintage Jonathan Maas fashion―Capsel’s true purpose is eventually revealed, and it is quite grand indeed.
This tale holds themes of solitude, global warming and the future of humanity. It has a strong female lead, and though it is aimed at adults, it can also be read by a YA audience.
Fans of Ted Chiang will like this one, as well as readers who want a book they can read in one sitting.
So wake up with Capsel and see what the future holds for us―you will be quite surprised indeed.
-J. Shaw, Editor, Cynical Optimist Press
For fans of Ted Chiang, Blake Crouch, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Yuval Noah Harari
For fans of Science Fiction, SciFi, Strong Female Leads, Environmental Fiction, Future Worlds, Young Adult, YA, Humanity and Time Travel
63 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 16, 2020
123 people are currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Maas
31 books368 followersJon Maas was born in New Haven, Connecticut and grew up in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from Stanford University with degrees in Biology and History, he's earned a living as a Musician, Peace Corps Volunteer, Standup Comedian, TV Producer and Web Designer.
He has published ten books, and has more on the way.
He has also directed the movie 'Spanners' starring Shawn Christian and Eric Roberts, and wrote its sequel book - 'Spanners: The Fountain of Youth.'
He writes on his bus commute to and from work, and has a soft spot in his heart for all types of Public Transportation.
He has published ten books, and has more on the way.
He has also directed the movie 'Spanners' starring Shawn Christian and Eric Roberts, and wrote its sequel book - 'Spanners: The Fountain of Youth.'
He writes on his bus commute to and from work, and has a soft spot in his heart for all types of Public Transportation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 20, 2023
I am extremely stingy with the five-star reviews, because IMHO EVERY book I read should be from a three to a four-star range, while five-stars are reserved for the exceptional. In Time Capsel, Jonathan Maas writes a brilliant short story of 55 pages that takes his MC named Capsel through specific leaps through time to document changes from one time period to another for specific purposes.
The panoramic view is split in five vignettes that are designed to demonstrate the breadth of humanity's ability to transform itself from its lowest of lows to its highest of highs. At root, the tale is designed to be hopeful while simultaneously alarmist about dangers that should be currently evident, but only some believe warrant societal change.
Clearly, I believe the work is optimistic and enlightening, beautifully lyrical in verbiage, and worthy of consumption. An insightful read.
The panoramic view is split in five vignettes that are designed to demonstrate the breadth of humanity's ability to transform itself from its lowest of lows to its highest of highs. At root, the tale is designed to be hopeful while simultaneously alarmist about dangers that should be currently evident, but only some believe warrant societal change.
Clearly, I believe the work is optimistic and enlightening, beautifully lyrical in verbiage, and worthy of consumption. An insightful read.
June 26, 2023
Ne klé Nokta!
And I would like to talk about this little Gem today!
Our 'temporal' Heroine is Capsel Demkah.
She still has to be born yet, I guess? -So she must be from our future.
As an augmented human being she is out on a mission, which is put into several special directives.
She's quick to learn, most of all languages and on how to survive and adapt to new situations without as much fear and anxiety as possible while physically better equipped to the elements than you or me.
We watch her as she awakens five times in her Stasis Chamber on Earth, over the timespan of 235.845+ Years.
Each time the machine 'delivers its voltage', and Capsel slowly wakes from Stasis…
On her long journey our solitary Heroine meets Reyal, Mexeni, Greashi and many other.
She sees the different Epochae and adapts quickly so as to determine each time on how far in she should interfere.
But in the end, Capsel is alone… no matter if zero or millions of people are around her at one time or another.
¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦
This was a well thought out story!
I have to say though, that it really could have had a few more pages. Each era, that the author presented to us, was so interesting.
They had different languages/accents, culture, history and special customs.
I also loved the word play on the title with Time and our protagonist's name Capsel.
(Capsel is the old german spelling for the high german word Kapsel of today, which itself means Capsule in modern english.)
There were moments where I really hurt for Capsel and her mission.
I just knew there would be no Happy End for her, no matter what would happen to mankind in the end (positive or negative).
I love it well enough for a nice 4.8 Stars Rating, which I will turn into 5 Stars here on GR!
Since I am a science geek and a language lover (I went to college to become an IT-Fremdsprachenkorrespondent… and yes, thats used to be a thing when I was 18) this story made me even happier!
And I would like to talk about this little Gem today!
Our 'temporal' Heroine is Capsel Demkah.
She still has to be born yet, I guess? -So she must be from our future.
As an augmented human being she is out on a mission, which is put into several special directives.
She's quick to learn, most of all languages and on how to survive and adapt to new situations without as much fear and anxiety as possible while physically better equipped to the elements than you or me.
We watch her as she awakens five times in her Stasis Chamber on Earth, over the timespan of 235.845+ Years.
Each time the machine 'delivers its voltage', and Capsel slowly wakes from Stasis…
On her long journey our solitary Heroine meets Reyal, Mexeni, Greashi and many other.
She sees the different Epochae and adapts quickly so as to determine each time on how far in she should interfere.
But in the end, Capsel is alone… no matter if zero or millions of people are around her at one time or another.
¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦
This was a well thought out story!
I have to say though, that it really could have had a few more pages. Each era, that the author presented to us, was so interesting.
They had different languages/accents, culture, history and special customs.
I also loved the word play on the title with Time and our protagonist's name Capsel.
(Capsel is the old german spelling for the high german word Kapsel of today, which itself means Capsule in modern english.)
There were moments where I really hurt for Capsel and her mission.
I just knew there would be no Happy End for her, no matter what would happen to mankind in the end (positive or negative).
I love it well enough for a nice 4.8 Stars Rating, which I will turn into 5 Stars here on GR!
Since I am a science geek and a language lover (I went to college to become an IT-Fremdsprachenkorrespondent… and yes, thats used to be a thing when I was 18) this story made me even happier!
December 5, 2021
Capsel, hope for the Human race
,A surprise ending that could lead to a book. I would like to see. The story of a lady, or girl with a mission to save man and lady kind from destruction.
,A surprise ending that could lead to a book. I would like to see. The story of a lady, or girl with a mission to save man and lady kind from destruction.
December 19, 2021
This is an excellent short story (only 54 pages) that touches ever so softly on the ideas of purpose, enlightenment and destiny. Beautifully written and well paced the story takes on a journey spanning almost 250,000 years with the main character Capsel.
Capsel's purpose is to awaken from a hibernation chamber periodically in hopes of reaching a time in the future where mankind will be in need of her knowledge and her help in getting humanity past it's most difficult time.
As she travels through time she comes across many different cultures, learning what she can in order to add this to her well of information. She is a witness to history, seeing the good, the bad and those things that lay between the two.
The story has a powerful payoff that hit me on an emotional level.
Sometimes the story is not in the journey, sometimes the story is in the telling ...
Capsel's purpose is to awaken from a hibernation chamber periodically in hopes of reaching a time in the future where mankind will be in need of her knowledge and her help in getting humanity past it's most difficult time.
As she travels through time she comes across many different cultures, learning what she can in order to add this to her well of information. She is a witness to history, seeing the good, the bad and those things that lay between the two.
The story has a powerful payoff that hit me on an emotional level.
Sometimes the story is not in the journey, sometimes the story is in the telling ...
August 27, 2020
Wasn't expecting this!
I've always been a fan of time travel. This story changed my line of thinking about time travel. While this story captivated my imagination, I surely didn't t expect the outcome. I enjoyed this read and look forward to more of your work. Thank you for writing this.
I've always been a fan of time travel. This story changed my line of thinking about time travel. While this story captivated my imagination, I surely didn't t expect the outcome. I enjoyed this read and look forward to more of your work. Thank you for writing this.
September 15, 2023
I hope there is a REAL Capsel being created.
If you’ve read and enjoyed H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, you’ll enjoy this story as well. Hopefully, someone somewhere is creating a Capsel to give humanity hope and a means to recover from the stupidity that has created the world we live in today.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
If you’ve read and enjoyed H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, you’ll enjoy this story as well. Hopefully, someone somewhere is creating a Capsel to give humanity hope and a means to recover from the stupidity that has created the world we live in today.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
September 9, 2025
Very interesting. I have never heard of this author or the authors he follows and/or was inspired by, but I will be now. This was a novella sized book to make you say hmm, scratch your head a bit. I liked it
Capsel is an automated human. Her purpose is solely to check in at points on how planet earth is progressing. She awakens at random time periods and sometimes interacts with the local people at the time she has awakened. A very unique read. Definitely will reread.
This was a free download for me. Not sure where I got it, but it didn’t affect my feelings about the book.
Capsel is an automated human. Her purpose is solely to check in at points on how planet earth is progressing. She awakens at random time periods and sometimes interacts with the local people at the time she has awakened. A very unique read. Definitely will reread.
This was a free download for me. Not sure where I got it, but it didn’t affect my feelings about the book.
May 11, 2022
Time Capsel
A wonderful play on words!This book makes you think.Are we helping the people and the planet or ignoring both? I felt for the protagonist;was she happy?lonely? Or just going with the flow. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.I recommend this book to everyone.
A wonderful play on words!This book makes you think.Are we helping the people and the planet or ignoring both? I felt for the protagonist;was she happy?lonely? Or just going with the flow. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.I recommend this book to everyone.
Read
January 10, 2025Capsel is one of my favorite characters
Perhaps it is her solitude, perhaps it is the grandiose nature of her true purpose.
Perhaps it is her perspective on both our history and our future.
But nonetheless, I hope she can bring you some happiness and insight.
I recommend her to anyone!
Perhaps it is her solitude, perhaps it is the grandiose nature of her true purpose.
Perhaps it is her perspective on both our history and our future.
But nonetheless, I hope she can bring you some happiness and insight.
I recommend her to anyone!
June 20, 2023
Time Capsel
This is the most unique story I've ever read. You will time travel into our future. The ending took my breath away. I have no words.
This is the most unique story I've ever read. You will time travel into our future. The ending took my breath away. I have no words.
December 21, 2023
Best sci-fi story I have read in years.
Science fiction was my genre many years ago having been brought to it by the excellent works of writers such as HG Wells, Asimov, Bradbury and to a lesser extent Clarke.
I have gradually moved away from it as "space wars" and "superhero" books moved into the space.
It is a long time ( and I am talking years and years) since I have found a writer like Maas who could easily pull me back.
This is a superb story written a la Asimov.
No spoilers as it is a novella and almost any clue will ruin the essence.
All I will say is, I was sad when it ended (always a good sign for any author) and I recommend Capsel 100%.
I will DEFINITELY be searching out more books by Maas going forward, praying this is not a one-off piece of brilliance.
Science fiction was my genre many years ago having been brought to it by the excellent works of writers such as HG Wells, Asimov, Bradbury and to a lesser extent Clarke.
I have gradually moved away from it as "space wars" and "superhero" books moved into the space.
It is a long time ( and I am talking years and years) since I have found a writer like Maas who could easily pull me back.
This is a superb story written a la Asimov.
No spoilers as it is a novella and almost any clue will ruin the essence.
All I will say is, I was sad when it ended (always a good sign for any author) and I recommend Capsel 100%.
I will DEFINITELY be searching out more books by Maas going forward, praying this is not a one-off piece of brilliance.
October 3, 2025
Interesting tale but falls short in the end
The character of the story wakes up several times over a very long time. Each time she takes time to learn the local languages and cultures of the area. Not your average time travel tale, jumping back and forth in time instead going forward in time to assess the levels if humanity at each visit. It culminates with good and bad for the earth but has potential for more.
The character of the story wakes up several times over a very long time. Each time she takes time to learn the local languages and cultures of the area. Not your average time travel tale, jumping back and forth in time instead going forward in time to assess the levels if humanity at each visit. It culminates with good and bad for the earth but has potential for more.
August 26, 2020
This author’s light touch with detail makes this story a real gem. I love immersive world building more than even the plot... this story flips that expectation. It’s a very simple story. Light read. But truly charming and thought provoking.
April 7, 2021
Life in 30 minutes!
Great start to a series. Don't stop now Jonathan!! The book laid down some good threads but ended WAY too quickly. I enjoyed this book and look forward to it's continuation.
Great start to a series. Don't stop now Jonathan!! The book laid down some good threads but ended WAY too quickly. I enjoyed this book and look forward to it's continuation.
October 12, 2023
Brilliant
I loved all of this book, and only wish it had been longer. The ending was totally unexpected. Personally I'd recommend this to anyone but especially to anyone interested in climate change and pollution etc. A good Y.A read too.
I loved all of this book, and only wish it had been longer. The ending was totally unexpected. Personally I'd recommend this to anyone but especially to anyone interested in climate change and pollution etc. A good Y.A read too.
June 3, 2025
rounding up from 4.5 stars
This short Dystopian Sci-fi story contains quite a lot in it's 5 chapters. It follows a time traveler who documents and tries to prevent the end of humanity.
This short Dystopian Sci-fi story contains quite a lot in it's 5 chapters. It follows a time traveler who documents and tries to prevent the end of humanity.
October 27, 2021
enjoyable but far too short : ( Revised! ) I should have said more here.
This was a GREAT read! The author had me so wrapped up in the story that I actually got a bit disgruntled, (as seen in my original comment above), when it ended sooner than I thought it would. (wanted it to) First few pages and I was so ready for the adventure, lol Fab world creation, engaging, situationally appropriate language, ya a winner IMHO.
This was a GREAT read! The author had me so wrapped up in the story that I actually got a bit disgruntled, (as seen in my original comment above), when it ended sooner than I thought it would. (wanted it to) First few pages and I was so ready for the adventure, lol Fab world creation, engaging, situationally appropriate language, ya a winner IMHO.
July 4, 2023
Time Capsel
Sci-Fi
Jonathan Maas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a really interesting book. I've read a few time travel books before but this one was unique in that the FMC, Capsel, was designed specifically to go into stasis for centuries and sometimes millenia at a time to monitor the world and humans.
Capsel was given directives in order to help her save the human race and to help them develop. She watched civilisations rise and fall and then rise again.
The pacing was good and I liked the world building. I'd love to explore the time that Capsel was originally from more though.
Even though most of the characters weren't around for long before Capsel moved on and entered stasis again, I did like their interactions with her.
I did see the ending coming but it still made me feel emotional when Capsel gave her message in the hopes that someone was listening. I was left wanting more and I needed more answers.
Sci-Fi
Jonathan Maas
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a really interesting book. I've read a few time travel books before but this one was unique in that the FMC, Capsel, was designed specifically to go into stasis for centuries and sometimes millenia at a time to monitor the world and humans.
Capsel was given directives in order to help her save the human race and to help them develop. She watched civilisations rise and fall and then rise again.
The pacing was good and I liked the world building. I'd love to explore the time that Capsel was originally from more though.
Even though most of the characters weren't around for long before Capsel moved on and entered stasis again, I did like their interactions with her.
I did see the ending coming but it still made me feel emotional when Capsel gave her message in the hopes that someone was listening. I was left wanting more and I needed more answers.
October 8, 2023
I finished this book a few weeks ago, but it’s one of those books that keeps nudging at your brain. Some reviews said it was hopeful, but it initially left me feeling angry and hopeless. We are our biggest downfall. Now, a few weeks out, I’m looking at the bigger picture. Earth will always be fine. Us, not so much, but that’s ok. You know that feeling you get sitting on the beach with the vastness of the ocean before you? Or maybe on a bluff of a mountain overlooking miles of wilderness? Suddenly your problems seem infinitesimal. We are just a speck in time. Live in the moment and be the best person you can be.
As for the story progression, I found it fascinating how the cultures developed, how languages evolved and changed over the centuries. How even when a society seems to have moved past greed and poverty, it’s still vulnerable to failure. This was an interesting, thought provoking book and worth reading.
As for the story progression, I found it fascinating how the cultures developed, how languages evolved and changed over the centuries. How even when a society seems to have moved past greed and poverty, it’s still vulnerable to failure. This was an interesting, thought provoking book and worth reading.
July 2, 2023
Help me read more books
Decent story, though the behavior of the main character doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but then again, she was programmed to do things in a particular way, so
If you like stories where a particular character takes hops through time, and gets a snapshot of current status periodically (I've read a few stories like this one), then you'll enjoy this one. If motivations and actions are important to you, this story may not make much sense, but either way, it's a story that is probably worth reading, because it does throw an interesting point of view on human development.
Decent story, though the behavior of the main character doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but then again, she was programmed to do things in a particular way, so
If you like stories where a particular character takes hops through time, and gets a snapshot of current status periodically (I've read a few stories like this one), then you'll enjoy this one. If motivations and actions are important to you, this story may not make much sense, but either way, it's a story that is probably worth reading, because it does throw an interesting point of view on human development.
March 23, 2025
SciFi with 1-Way Time Travel …
This was a fair-to-good Short Story; it’s probably well worth your time to read it, but recognize it’s NOT a thrilling, hard-to-put-down book that you’ll think about for days later.
The story focuses on a woman (? or android or cyborg or robot?) named Capsel, and her travels through the future, meeting new people and exploring different cultures.
My 4-star Rating is generous, and it’s likely others will think that the Rating should trend towards 3-stars; there’s no circumstance I can picture where a Reader would lean in the 5-star direction …
This was a fair-to-good Short Story; it’s probably well worth your time to read it, but recognize it’s NOT a thrilling, hard-to-put-down book that you’ll think about for days later.
The story focuses on a woman (? or android or cyborg or robot?) named Capsel, and her travels through the future, meeting new people and exploring different cultures.
My 4-star Rating is generous, and it’s likely others will think that the Rating should trend towards 3-stars; there’s no circumstance I can picture where a Reader would lean in the 5-star direction …
January 18, 2024
This is one of the more unique time travel stories that I've read. The idea of time travel being both unpredictable and only possible in one direction made for a fascinating read. It's a solid, well-crafted short story which focuses not only on humanity, but also our collective hope for the future. It highlights both the uniqueness and resilience of humanity as a whole, while leaving the reader with interesting questions about what that means. The ending left me wanting more, in a good way.
July 30, 2024
I did not finish it.
Pros:
1. Starts good.
2. It's a short book.
Cons:
1. I didn't finish it because there is no plot. By the time I got to 65% of the book, I felt like I was wasting time, and I lost interest. I jumped to the end of the story and discovered that quitting was the right move for me.
2. I will not re-read this story, nor will I try to finish it in future.
Pros:
1. Starts good.
2. It's a short book.
Cons:
1. I didn't finish it because there is no plot. By the time I got to 65% of the book, I felt like I was wasting time, and I lost interest. I jumped to the end of the story and discovered that quitting was the right move for me.
2. I will not re-read this story, nor will I try to finish it in future.
March 17, 2021
A quick trip through human history
This is good, short (one sitting) and thought-provoking. Capsel in her capsule takes a trip forward to see where humanity is headed, until no one is left but her and capsule-dwellers like her, and nothing to do but tell their story. It is a gentle, delicate, sad story—recommended.
This is good, short (one sitting) and thought-provoking. Capsel in her capsule takes a trip forward to see where humanity is headed, until no one is left but her and capsule-dwellers like her, and nothing to do but tell their story. It is a gentle, delicate, sad story—recommended.
May 26, 2022
This story takes themes of time travel and immortality and fuses them with the rise and fall of civilization, in a one-sitting read. It accomplishes all that with subtlety and nuance, writing simple, direct prose that mirrors the mind of the main character, who is both completely innocent and filled with all the horrors of the ages. This is a great introdcution to Maas's work.
June 27, 2023
"Something had destroyed every insight, every invention, and every last building humanity had made."
This is beautifully written.
An unexpected treat about the future of both earth and humanity, this has glimmers of hope, resilience, and perhaps best of all captures what makes humans both unique and survivors.
This is beautifully written.
An unexpected treat about the future of both earth and humanity, this has glimmers of hope, resilience, and perhaps best of all captures what makes humans both unique and survivors.
May 26, 2025
❤️Excellent surprise!
The machine sent an electric shock to revive the young woman lying in the survival pod.
She woke up several days later...
*******
A fascinating read that sweeps the reader away on an extraordinary but all-too-short science fiction adventure!
The plot is mysterious and the main character is very well-crafted.
I highly recommend this beautiful favorite!
The machine sent an electric shock to revive the young woman lying in the survival pod.
She woke up several days later...
*******
A fascinating read that sweeps the reader away on an extraordinary but all-too-short science fiction adventure!
The plot is mysterious and the main character is very well-crafted.
I highly recommend this beautiful favorite!
October 24, 2025
Nice short read overall. I enjoyed that it was split into 5 chapters, each starting with the awakening of main character Capsel in her pursuit through time. Thought-provoking, hopeful and a little scary at the same time
December 6, 2020
Interesting
I read all of this story, even though it did not hold my interest.The subject matter probably was not for me
I read all of this story, even though it did not hold my interest.The subject matter probably was not for me
December 20, 2020
Interesting. I've never read any books by this author. I liked it. I may look into others that he's written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews