How To Live Safely In A Science Fictional Universe

by Charles Yu
How To Live Safely In A Science Fictional Universe cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 3618
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781848876811
  • Published: 2010-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe follows the adventures of a time machine repairman who finds himself trapped in a time loop of his own creation. This clever and humorous novel explores themes of identity, love, and the nature of reality, all while delivering a unique blend of science fiction and existential musings. The story is a playful yet profound exploration of what it means to live in a world where technology and human emotions collide. Written with the sharp wit reminiscent of Douglas Adams and the insightful commentary of Douglas Coupland, this novel is a must-read for fans of speculative fiction. The author's unique voice and imaginative storytelling make it a standout in the genre, offering both entertainment and thought-provoking ideas.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-12-16
enjoyable 4.00

The book is enjoyable and impressive, with each scene holding the reader's interest. The reviewer found it to be a highly engaging read.

The reviewer enjoyed the book immensely, finding it impressive and engaging. They noted that each scene held their interest, making the reading experience highly enjoyable. The reviewer appreciated the book's ability to keep them engaged throughout, highlighting its strengths as a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed this... a whole heckuva lot.

    I was even more impressed by it.

    With a few minor exceptions, each scene in the book held my interest.

Zachary Houle's Medium · Zachary Houle · 2024-04-19
Clever 4.00

The reviewer finds the book cleverly written and important, noting its significance in the science fiction genre.

Zachary Houle appreciates the clever writing and the importance of the book within the science fiction genre. He highlights how the genre tends to be ghettoized but acknowledges the book's contribution to it.

Quick quotes

    I would agree, though, that it is very cleverly written and important.

    science-fiction, as a genre, tended to be ghettoized as space ...

    it is very cleverly written and important.

Elitist Book Reviews · Shawn · 2011-08-17
Disappointing 1.50

The reviewer found the book to be a dud despite some enjoyable moments, expressing disappointment with its overall impact.

Shawn from Elitist Book Reviews had mixed feelings about the book. While there were some enjoyable parts, overall, the book fell short of expectations and was considered a letdown. The reviewer expresses frustration with the unfulfilled potential of science fiction as a genre.

Quick quotes

    HOW TO LIVE SAFELY had some joyous moments, but on the whole it was a dud.

    Why can't Science Fiction always be as awesome as it should be?

    on the whole it was a dud.

The Guardian · 2010-10-30
Superb 4.50

The reviewer praises the book as superb, clever, and funny, highlighting its engaging and science fiction elements.

This book is a delightful blend of humor and science fiction. The reviewer found it to be clever and engaging, making it a standout in the genre. The unique blend of science fiction and humor makes it a must-read for fans of the genre.

Quick quotes

    Charles Yu's novel is pretty superb: involving, clever, perky, properly science fictional and above all funny.

    involving, clever, perky, properly science fictional and above all funny.

    pretty superb: involving, clever, perky, properly science fictional and above all funny.

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