Imagine what life would be like if you could go back in time,
say...fifty or so years? What would you wear? What would you do? And
how would you deal with a society that's so very different from our
own? In The Accidental Time Traveller, one woman is about to find out
just how much things have changed when she's sent back in time...well,
rather accidentally.
Rosie Harford is a journalist for The News. When a new reality TV show about life in the 1950s is about to hit the screens, she's sent out to interview the oldest residents of The Meadows; a run-down council estate that's been standing for over half a century. After rowing over commitment the night before with Will, her live-in boyfriend (and deputy editor of The News), Rosie sets off for her interview about what life was like 'back in the day', with a huge hangover and fear of where her relationship with Will is heading.
However, things are about to change in a very big way. Soon after Rosie gets to The Meadows, she realises that she's not in her town anymore. At least, it's not the town as she knows it. In fact, everything looks just a bit outdated...
Immediately Rosie thinks she's been unwillingly signed up to The 1950s House. As she finds herself in the home of Mr and Mrs Brown and their slightly hostile daughter Peggy, she wonders why everyone is so in character. Questions about the reality show and where the Diary Room is are providing no answers but confused looks.
Rosie's phone is completely dead and her clothing has soon been replaced with itchy underwear and unflattering garments from the fifties. She has to face life without little conveniences such as straighteners and numerous beauty products, and go to work at The News where the men are openly sexist and everyone smokes indoors. And if that's not bad enough, nobody seems to serve Vodka.
Things are confusing enough for Rosie, but become even more so when she spots Will in the newsroom. Unfortunately, he has no idea who she is. And to make matters worse, Rosie discovers he's married with three children. But is it really Will? Her Will?
When the News finally trusts Rosie enough to go out and find some decent stories, she's quickly on the case, finding out things about her town that she can remember reading about back in the newsroom she's used to. Pretty soon she's certain that this is no reality show - after all, everyone seems to real, there don't seem to be any cameras - and after all, a TV company can't recreate an entire town, right? So Rosie has to continue life with the Browns, trying to work out just how she got sent back in time, wondering why her present-day boyfriend is married to the 1950s version of her best friend, and solving some family problems along the way...
The Accidental Time Traveller is an addictive read. Sharon Griffiths has a wonderful, witty writing style that kept me hooked, with a plot that's unique and well-written. Going back in time may seem like an appealing idea, but there's more to it than a change of wardrobe...
Rating: 5/5
If you like this, try: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella.
