La máquina del porvenir

Author: Juan Trejo
- Fiction
- Tusquets Editores
- ISBN: 9788490660089
- Release Date: 11-11-2014
-Reviewed by: Rocío Valle

The premise is the creation of a time machine that will allow time travel into the future. The story originally takes the reader back in time to Tsarist Russia, where the idea of building a machine that can predict the future first began. The lives of a greatgrandfather, grandfather, son and grandson are interconnected in parallel worlds. The book mainly focuses on the latter three men, whose personal disatisfaction is a common theme, as they struggle to find meaning for their lives. The book describes how the plans for the construction of the machine of the future are given by the greatgrandfather in trust to the grandfather for safekeeping. He, in turn, makes it his life’s quest to build it. He goes through various adventures that take him to different places, where he meets enigmatic people and survives harrowing events. There are glimpses into the rootless lives of the son and the grandson in their goal to find themselves or a transcendent truth that will enable them to finally feel whole. Several subplots develop that include events through precognition, as well as paranormal and psychic abilities. By use of intelligent prose, the story line takes the reader to several countries and two continents. There are instances of fantasy and comedy involving zany characters and diverse situations with allusions to alternate dimensions, pop culture and fine literature. As the story develops, we see the individual personal struggles of the grandfather, son and grandson, who is finally able to close the loop. However, in the end, the grandson learns that the machine really serves to penetrate the present. The overal emphasis of the book is humanity’s interconnectivity. Basically, the conclusion is that nothing ever ends. 

It is a common theme. The idea of time travel is a familiar one. The book treats it in an original manner by letting the reader see glimpses of the past, present and future, based on the characters’ individual quests. The story line provides clear ambiance for each setting, even when describing recurring dream sequences throughout the book.

The plotline is not exactly predictable and it is varied. The locations are quite dissimilar, and the author does an excellent job in describing settings and atmospheres.

The plausibility of the dialogue was good overall. There were portions that dealt with highly intellectual subject matters that compel the reader to pay close attention to detail.

 

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