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Somewhere in Time

Name: Somewhere in Time
Price: 10.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780765361394

✍️ Richard Matheson

Reader Score

4.4

(3 reviews)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A Grand Master novel about love crossing centuries through time travel.

Matheson’s work centers on a modern man’s obsession with a historical figure. He travels to 1896 San Diego to find his soul mate in a luxury hotel. The plot relies on romantic tension rather than scientific mechanics. The 1979 movie adaptation popularized the story, creating a dedicated fanbase that meets annually. This text provides the original literary foundation for that cultural phenomenon.

Key Themes

time travel romantic love transcendent connection

Literary Context

Published by Tor Books in 2008, this edition revives Matheson’s 1976 award-winning novel. The story gained significant cultural weight through the 1979 film adaptation. Its legacy persists through annual conventions held by fans of the movie and book.

Richard Matheson

📚 all books by this author (56) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour in Somewhere in Time · Gothic romance narratives exploring destiny · Literary adaptations of cult classic films

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Tor Books 📅 2008 📖 316 pages 🌐 English 📔 Mass Market Paperbound ISBN: 9780765361394

📚 This Book in Collections

🕯️ Cults & Occult Horror

📝 Description: Somewhere in Time

Richard Matheson, a Grand Master of modern fantasy, wrote Somewhere in Time. This novel won the 1976 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. The story follows a man who feels an inexplicable pull toward a woman he has never met. His longing draws him back to 1896 San Diego. He finds himself in a luxury hotel where he meets a celebrated actress from that era. Their connection transcends the boundaries of time and space. The narrative explores how love can bridge centuries. Matheson uses the framework of time travel to examine this romantic bond. The book was adapted into a 1979 film starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. That movie remains a cult classic with fans who hold yearly conventions. This edition brings the original award-winning text back to print for new readers. This book suits those interested in romantic science fiction and gothic traditions. It appeals to readers who enjoy stories about destiny and long-distance connections across eras. Fans of the film adaptation may find the source material offers deeper insight into the characters' internal struggles. Readers seeking fast-paced action or hard science explanations for time travel might prefer other genres. The focus remains firmly on the emotional journey between the two protagonists.

💎 Our verdict on Somewhere in Time

“

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Matheson crafts a poignant examination of longing, using time travel merely as a vessel for romantic tension rather than scientific rigor. The narrative prioritizes the psychological and spiritual connection between the modern man and the historical actress over plot mechanics. This approach creates a deeply atmospheric experience rooted in gothic romance. However, it does not suit readers seeking hard science fiction explanations or action-driven plots. The focus on internal struggle may feel slow to those preferring external conflict. Yet, for lovers of romantic fantasy and literary adaptations, it remains a compelling study of destiny. It successfully bridges the gap between classic horror-adjacent fantasy and pure romance.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

This book is an essential read for those who appreciate the intersection of romantic fiction and gothic traditions. It offers a unique exploration of love transcending time, focusing on internal emotional struggles rather than scientific explanation. Readers who enjoyed the 1979 film adaptation will find deeper insight into the protagonists' bond. It appeals to fans of destiny-driven narratives and long-distance connections across eras. The text provides the original award-winning foundation for a beloved cultural phenomenon. Those seeking fast-paced action or hard science should look elsewhere, as this focuses firmly on the emotional journey between two souls connected by an inexplicable pull.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Readers craving lyrical, character-driven romance intertwined with supernatural mystery will adore this tale of timeless devotion. Those seeking visceral gore, rapid-fire action sequences, or rigorous scientific logic regarding temporal mechanics should look elsewhere.

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 3 reviews

Andrew J.

March 7, 2026

Slow start

I read a lot of horror and I'm picky. The prose is clean and the scares land because the characters feel real. The audiobook crowd will want the paper copy for the margins. Gorier than the description lets on, if that matters to you.

Katie C.

January 20, 2026

Been meaning to get this one for a while. Good introduction if you have not read this author before. Great value for what you get.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Yes. While the film is a charming cult classic, Matheson’s novel delves much deeper into the protagonist’s psychological turmoil and the metaphysical weight of his obsession. The prose offers a richer, more internal exploration of their bond than the screenplay could accommodate.

No. Matheson treats time as a fluid, emotional landscape rather than a physics problem. If you require hard sci-fi explanations for temporal mechanics, this gothic romance will likely frustrate you; if you want to feel the ache of longing across centuries, it is perfect.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Richard Matheson stands as a titan in speculative fiction, elevating the time-travel genre beyond mere gadgetry to explore profound emotional truths. This World Fantasy Award winner anchors itself firmly within the gothic romance tradition, utilizing Victorian aesthetics and haunted hotel settings to examine how love defies linear existence. It serves as a poignant bridge between classic supernatural literature and modern romantic fantasy, influencing countless works that prioritize emotional resonance over plot mechanics.