Back in Time for a Doughnut

by David Hearne

'Change the past, fix the future, get the doughnut.' Based on the award-winning screenplay and set in Brisbane, Australia, unpredictable Tara’s a leftist rebel who is struggling to stop her life sliding out of control. Her sister Pandora, the far right Prime Minister, stands for all that Tara opposes, seeking to take away basic human rights under the guise of ‘protecting Australia from terrorism’. During their feud, where it’s green versus red, both sisters see themselves as wearing the ‘white hat’. Tara plots a way to get access to their father’s time machine so she can go back in time to stop her sister from transforming Australia’s democracy into a fascist dictatorship. Tara’s biggest problem? Will the time machine really work? Fighting for causes is Tara’s jam but her biggest battle will be against herself, as her addictions and rage lurk like an insidious shadow, threatening to overcome her. She must also find her place in this world, if not in this time. Is her true calling back in the past? As well as doing whatever it takes to turn the tables on her sister, Tara will try her best to get her lips around the doughnut of her dreams.

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2020

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story takes place is Brisbane, Australia in several different timelines as the Tara the hothead tries to go back in time and stop her sister Pandora from ruining the country. Pandora is the Prime Minister and I liked her character too. Taras family are very broken with her father having had an affair and her mother being quite frosty. In the scene where they all have dinner I thought oh dear these people don't even like each other.

The story is fast fast fast and like the case of the notorious roboticist we are taken on the trip quickly as this story used to be a screenplay. There were not as many twists and turns in this story as the last one but still some wow moments that make you glad you opened the cover on your kindle. Can Tara go back in time to stop her sister and also chase down a donut that she has been fanging to eat all of her life? Or will she fail and watch her sister take away the rights of the people as Australia slides into becoming a fascist dictatorship?

Tara to me is trouble and troubled but she does become more likeable as the story develops and I found enough goodness in her to root for her. On one hand she is an activist wanting to save animals and the planet and on the other she is drugged out of her mind and has the charm of a swarm of angry bees after their hive was kicked. It was not all one sided however as Pandora a bit like Isadora from notorious roboticist might be the villain but is not all bad. These villains remind us all that we can start out with good intentions and end up doing very bad things. Pandora does think she is doing her best to protect Australia from terrorism and anarchy even if she went too far.

Classic moments make classic stories and oh boy this is one of those. It is refreshing to read a timetravel tale set in Brisbane with real restaurants and pubs (even if it had some I had never heard of, I googled them and they are real). In the future with references to Australian bushfires and the rise of vegan food it all feels fresh and topical as well. But thankfully there is no mention of COVID-19 in the book! If I had to pick on anything I would say there isn't enough science fiction all through the story and I would have liked more of that. The timetravel feels like it has been added to tell the story but you will not learn anything about quantum mechanics or anything much about how timetravel could work in the book. Think dirty gritty street drama where back to the future meets fifth element meets the tv series wentworth.

This story has the right elements that help you connect with them just like that last book did. Once again the writer has delivered a standout story that does not let you down and I recommend you have a read and take a trip you will never forget with Tara.

[Karen French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tara Wright is what Australia needs right now as she kicks butt around Brisbane in the recent past and the near future. Bush fires burning Australia as the Government ignores it is topical as we see inaction and the need for change in Australia today. No wonder Tara spends much of the story being angry at the apathy around her Go girl. I think the world would be a better place if people were vegan like Tara instead of making choices that are killing the planet. Another great read very different to the case of the notorious roboticist which I also liked. I enjoy stories with powerful women and Tara is one who gives a damn. Pandora Tara's sister is a horrible human, I think of where Tara says to her imagine what you could do if you went back in time. Pandora says we would start with your abortion. What a mole. Tara has her hands full trying to go back in time to stop Pandora and also get the donut she always wanted cute tie in for the title of the story. Great plot twists and the cheap audiobook version is very good to and the voice over artist has a great Aussie accent. Get it.

[Rally Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, fast-paced read centring on headstrong Tara and her quest to end her sister's nigh oppressive reign over Australia. Using her father's time machine, she travels back to when they were kids and attempts to find a way to derail her sister's future as Prime Minister.

Unique and quirky, this read has plenty of entertaining moments. I particularly like Tara's father and his more-or-less-successful attempts at keeping his shattered family together.

For, in the end, this is what this book is about - family. There is a very strong message being told about sustainability and how we must work together to save our planet, but it is still second to the importance of family, friendships, and love (which, to be honest, is central if we are ever to agree on a way of living which will benefit the environment).

Descriptions, both for characters and their surroundings, are good and serves their purpose well. I only wish the main character had been slightly softer towards the end of the book, although her character arc still holds some key improvements.

All in all, a great little read!

[V.E.H. Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adventure in the mould of Back to the Future with an angry eco warrior twist. Based in Australia 30 years in the future, things are environmentally grim, global warming is rampant and the Government is simply not concerned about anything other than company profits. Voices of dissent are seen as terrorist threats against an authoritarian regime.

It's all in the family....throw an inventor father, his daughter, who is the hard line Prime Minister, and her eco warrior sister into the mix, and the story unfolds....

Fast paced and relevant to today's issues.

[Carrie Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, David is a true master of story telling.

Tara is a cocaine addict and an activist against her sisters oppressive parliamentary laws. determined to get the people to see just how power crazy her sister is she enacts a plan to destroy her for good by the use of her fathers untested time machine.

This is a real page turner full of climatic plot twists and turns. Sifi lovers check it out!

[Nisha Harbola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those stories that keeps you in its grip till the very end. I enjoyed the story, pacing, and (very much) the end. It makes you wonder if we can go back in time and fix the broken parts to make our present perfect. I love how the story gives more power to love than hatred. Pick this book up if you want to go for a breezy read that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next.

[Trish Bowles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this book. Such creative, imaginative writing. Very thought provoking and had me asking questions o myself about morals and ethics. I felt I was actually living the story as I read through each chapter. Great read. I was on the edge of my seat with the last 2 chapters. Thank you David Hearne.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a bit of a sucker for time travel stories, and I really enjoyed this journey. The story is light hearted, but it still makes you think of all the possibilities - I really thought I knew where it was going - but I was wrong! Definitely worth a read.

[Jane Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Built on a terrific premise, this book is clever and sassy. It is also timely in its handling of very real climate issues and ways we can address them. Fun read from a clever author.