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Before the Time Machine
What would happen if a historical scholar of today could meet a budding writer from a century before?
In 19th century England, young H.G. Wells struggles to overcome his lower-class origins to pursue his dreams of becoming a science teacher. In present-day California, middle-aged Katherine dedicates her historical studies to young Wells' life, traveling to England to immerse herself in his world.
Their trajectories converge across time, creating a friendship as inspiring as it is unlikely. It's a story of a woman out of time, and a man ahead of his.
In 19th century England, young H.G. Wells struggles to overcome his lower-class origins to pursue his dreams of becoming a science teacher. In present-day California, middle-aged Katherine dedicates her historical studies to young Wells' life, traveling to England to immerse herself in his world.
Their trajectories converge across time, creating a friendship as inspiring as it is unlikely. It's a story of a woman out of time, and a man ahead of his.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
27 people want to read
About the author
Lisa M. Lane
10 books8 followersLisa M. Lane is a historian and author of Before the Time Machine and three Tommy Jones Victorian Mysteries: Murder at Old St. Thomas's, Murder at an Exhibition, and Murder on the Pneumatic Railway. She writes historical fiction, including traditional mysteries set in Victorian England, as well as non-fiction, with particular interest in the history of technology and the young H. G. Wells.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 8, 2022
This book is about a Californian historian, Katherine, researching the early history of H.G. Wells. During her research, she has conversations with Wells. I didn’t take this as a time travel tale for Wells, but more as Wells being her muse.
“Newcastle? said Wells. What about that accent? Oh, I rarely have trouble with accents, said Katherine. Unless they’re very thick. I had trouble with mine, said Wells. A cockney accent, lower-class Bromley. And with my higher register, it was particularly bothersome. I worked hard to do away with it, sound more like Londoners. I managed it in the end. Yes, said Katherine, people do remark on your voice. It seems to get higher when you get agitated about something. Yes. . . the only time it was considered too posh was when I was in Wales. There my English accent made me a marked man. Probably why that boy fouled me so badly at Holt. You thought yourself superior? They thought that I did, he said. Well, maybe I did. Maybe I was. Indeed, said Katherine. He smiled.”
The story centers around Katherine, who frequently flies to Britain to obtain more information by visiting libraries and seeing Wells’ houses. Her travels and misadventures liven the story, as this is not a Well’s time travel. She encounters less than desirable accommodations, more minor than courteous librarians, passport cancellation, and seems to be the only one interested in some museums. It reminded me of a witty travelogue with experiences we have all shared.
“And yet there it was, discovered because she’d left a bug-ridden flat with a beautiful view of the river, gotten on a bus on the right day, crossed the road twice, followed the green markings through the carparks, then didn’t obtain half of what she had ordered.”
She tried to visit other areas of Britain unrelated to her research.
“As in Durham, Katherine presumed she would find the river a calming influence. And she knew about the bridges, from watching Vera on television. The walk took her downhill, through less prosperous parts of the old town. At one corner, she had to step into the street, because the pavement bricks were all broken. As she approached, a beggar was sitting on the ground with his cap out. The only people around were builders and laborers, all men. She wasn’t comfortable giving money in this place, but as she walked past him the begging man said, “Careful, love — the pavement’s torn up” and she felt badly for walking on.”
The book was a satisfying read, and I enjoyed it a lot.
“Newcastle? said Wells. What about that accent? Oh, I rarely have trouble with accents, said Katherine. Unless they’re very thick. I had trouble with mine, said Wells. A cockney accent, lower-class Bromley. And with my higher register, it was particularly bothersome. I worked hard to do away with it, sound more like Londoners. I managed it in the end. Yes, said Katherine, people do remark on your voice. It seems to get higher when you get agitated about something. Yes. . . the only time it was considered too posh was when I was in Wales. There my English accent made me a marked man. Probably why that boy fouled me so badly at Holt. You thought yourself superior? They thought that I did, he said. Well, maybe I did. Maybe I was. Indeed, said Katherine. He smiled.”
The story centers around Katherine, who frequently flies to Britain to obtain more information by visiting libraries and seeing Wells’ houses. Her travels and misadventures liven the story, as this is not a Well’s time travel. She encounters less than desirable accommodations, more minor than courteous librarians, passport cancellation, and seems to be the only one interested in some museums. It reminded me of a witty travelogue with experiences we have all shared.
“And yet there it was, discovered because she’d left a bug-ridden flat with a beautiful view of the river, gotten on a bus on the right day, crossed the road twice, followed the green markings through the carparks, then didn’t obtain half of what she had ordered.”
She tried to visit other areas of Britain unrelated to her research.
“As in Durham, Katherine presumed she would find the river a calming influence. And she knew about the bridges, from watching Vera on television. The walk took her downhill, through less prosperous parts of the old town. At one corner, she had to step into the street, because the pavement bricks were all broken. As she approached, a beggar was sitting on the ground with his cap out. The only people around were builders and laborers, all men. She wasn’t comfortable giving money in this place, but as she walked past him the begging man said, “Careful, love — the pavement’s torn up” and she felt badly for walking on.”
The book was a satisfying read, and I enjoyed it a lot.
June 25, 2024
Before The Time Machine by Lisa M. Lane is a tale of historical fiction. The book is a merging of conversations between protagonist Katherine and the author, H. G. Wells, coming together across time. Katherine dedicates her historical studies to Wells, going as far as travelling to England from her home in California. For fans of H. G. Wells, this is a must read, as Lisa blends characters and events who were real within his personal and professional life with fictitious scenes within the book. In addition, this also makes it an interesting read for those not familiar.
The story contains professional editing and a strong structure. In terms of pacing, I did find myself struggling at the slowness of it. Splitting the book into Katherine’s scenes verse Wells’ scenes was a wise choice to break up the pacing of the book. Of course, Wells features in Katherine’s scenes also, like an old friend shadowing her throughout her experiences. Occasionally, Wells dialogue in Katherine’s chapters threw me off as they aren’t in speech marks but as a reader you do get used to it.
I award 4 stars.
The story contains professional editing and a strong structure. In terms of pacing, I did find myself struggling at the slowness of it. Splitting the book into Katherine’s scenes verse Wells’ scenes was a wise choice to break up the pacing of the book. Of course, Wells features in Katherine’s scenes also, like an old friend shadowing her throughout her experiences. Occasionally, Wells dialogue in Katherine’s chapters threw me off as they aren’t in speech marks but as a reader you do get used to it.
I award 4 stars.
February 19, 2023
This novel is a kind that you don't see much of, nowadays. The story develops slowly, and until one gets into it, one might get a bit impatient with the pace of it. The protagonist is a middle-aged college teacher researching the early life of H. G. Wells. At times, she seems to be chatting with him, which only made sense to me later in the story. The book slowly builds, but this is a story where the effort you put into getting into the story is well rewarded.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews