Reviews

A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley

midnightlotus's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

Unfortunately for me, this one sits somewhere in the middle. I do enjoy Alison's prose, which is very beautiful. I also enjoyed the historical setting but that's where it ends. 

I didn't really feel attachment to any of the characters nor did I feel gripped by how the "plot" portrayed the historical events.

bickie's review against another edition

4.0

Fun timeless British story with just enough intrigue. Though the pacing was a little uneven, I loved spending the day at Thackers, both in the 1930s and 1580s. Good for historical fiction lovers who appreciate a little fantasy, especially fans of Green Knowe, Linnets and Valerians, The Little White Horse, Fire Bed & Bone. 10+ (a little dense, a lot of unusual old-fashioned rural English words)

cimorene1558's review against another edition

4.0

Very fine historical fiction, wish I had read this as a child, I would have adored it!

pattydsf's review against another edition

4.0

Now, of course, I can't remember why I picked this up. If I could go back in time, I would give this to my friend MaryLou. She liked historical fiction when we were teens.

forever_day's review against another edition

2.0

I could not get into this book. It wasn't terrible, but it just did not grip me at all. I think part of the problem was that nothing happened- she travels to the past but makes zero difference in doing so. You are told at the beginning of the book what happened in the past and then you just watch that happen, from the perspective of an additional character that literally doesn't affect it at all.

I will say that the setting was beautifully done, but in general what grabs me is a mix of characters and plot, and I couldn't get into either.

jenny_mac's review against another edition

5.0

One of my favourite books from childhood, I was delighted to find that this has really stood the test of time. Penelope is a delightful character, and I'm sure her adventures are one of the reasons I remain fascinated by this period in history. Uttley's prose is beautiful and engaging, I look forward to introducing this to my niece.

zarco_j's review against another edition

5.0

This was everything I remembered and so much more. This was the book that kickstarted my love of history and rereading it over 20 years after I first did proved that it stood the test of time. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

duriangray's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

fros86's review against another edition

4.0

One of my absolute favourite books, along with I Capture The Castle and Tom's Midnight Garden... I must have read this at least 3 times whilst at primary/early secondary school!

misajane79's review against another edition

3.0

While I didn't love this book, I did like it. Time travel is always fun, and British books are always fun. I also liked that the whole time travel wasn't a problem, but almost a gift. There was no attempt to solve it--just enjoy it!
I probably would have enjoyed this book more if I was more into the royals and Elizabethan history.