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Singularity
Sixteen-year-old twins Harry and Barry stumble across a gateway to another universe, where a distortion in time and space causes a dramatic change in their competitive relationship
170 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
About the author
William Sleator
45 books304 followersWilliam Warner Sleator III was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland on February 13, 1945, and moved to St. Louis, MO when he was three. He graduated from University City High School in 1963, from Harvard in 1967 with BAs in music and English.
For more than thirty years, William Sleator thrilled readers with his inventive books. His House of Stairs was named one of the best novels of the twentieth century by the Young Adult Library Services Association.
William Sleator died in early August 2011 at his home in Thailand.
For more than thirty years, William Sleator thrilled readers with his inventive books. His House of Stairs was named one of the best novels of the twentieth century by the Young Adult Library Services Association.
William Sleator died in early August 2011 at his home in Thailand.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
April 19, 2011
I have been complaining a lot lately about the young adult authors of the '80s that I somehow missed out on, but William Sleator thankfully wasn't one of them. Interstellar Pig, which I discovered in fourth or fifth grade, is probably the first sci-fi book I ever read. I picked up Among the Dolls around the same time without knowing who wrote it and spent 1999 - 2009 trying to piece together my hazy memories to figure out who was responsible for the terrifying dolls that haunt my dreams (thanks for solving that one, Goodreads! Not sure why google wasn't more help).
I never read this one though. I picked it up after Orson Scott Card called it one of his favorite sci-fi stories, unfairly stuck in the YA ghetto. Say what you will about OSC's politics (or ask me; I will say it), but Ender's Game was another formative SF book for me, and I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I'm glad I did! This is a time travel story, my favorite kind, and even though I never read it as a youngster, my vintage 1986 paperback took me right back to elementary school (I blame the terrible cover art. What is it with the weirdly drawn young adult books of the 1980s? You'd think all of William Sleator's books were about gangly, unfortunately-coiffed fashion disasters [is that a fanny pack? I do believe that is a fanny pack!]).
After their parents inherit a Mysterious House from their Spooky Uncle, 16-year-old twins Harry and Barry (gee, thanks mom and dad! What are their full names? Harold and... Barold?) are allowed to travel from Boston to just outside Champaign, IL (Prairie State represent!) to watch over the property and keep it safe from vandals. Never mind that it is located in an isolated part of a one-street town and has a reputation for mysterious animal death likely to keep young hoodlums at bay.
Everyone assumed Uncle Cracker was crazy (the rooms full of mutant, taxidermied skeletons put no one's mind at ease?), but H/B soon discover he might not have been nuts after all when then find the keys to a strange cabin on the premises where time seems to function... differently.
William Sleator has a lot of fun with the time-twisting cabin, making an effort to explain the rules governing it and figure out creative ways to play with them (You hear that, LOST? If you are going to introduce a Mystical Cabin of Mystery, do something interesting with it!). And while I wouldn't call the characters deep or anything, he uses the cabin as a device to shed (see what I did there?) light on the strained relationship between the twins (Barry is bossy and mean, and cry-baby Larry feels like the unwanted brother). The dynamic is fairly applicable to any sibling relationship, and probably would have spoken to me in elementary school.
And, sigh, I can't believe I have to mention this again, but there is a long section near the end of this book where one of the twins (young teen boys, you will remember) is naked for pages and pages, so long that after a while you're like, no, surely he is not still naked? But then you are reminded that he is. And, like, OK, you are twins, but put on some pants.
I never read this one though. I picked it up after Orson Scott Card called it one of his favorite sci-fi stories, unfairly stuck in the YA ghetto. Say what you will about OSC's politics (or ask me; I will say it), but Ender's Game was another formative SF book for me, and I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
I'm glad I did! This is a time travel story, my favorite kind, and even though I never read it as a youngster, my vintage 1986 paperback took me right back to elementary school (I blame the terrible cover art. What is it with the weirdly drawn young adult books of the 1980s? You'd think all of William Sleator's books were about gangly, unfortunately-coiffed fashion disasters [is that a fanny pack? I do believe that is a fanny pack!]).
After their parents inherit a Mysterious House from their Spooky Uncle, 16-year-old twins Harry and Barry (gee, thanks mom and dad! What are their full names? Harold and... Barold?) are allowed to travel from Boston to just outside Champaign, IL (Prairie State represent!) to watch over the property and keep it safe from vandals. Never mind that it is located in an isolated part of a one-street town and has a reputation for mysterious animal death likely to keep young hoodlums at bay.
Everyone assumed Uncle Cracker was crazy (the rooms full of mutant, taxidermied skeletons put no one's mind at ease?), but H/B soon discover he might not have been nuts after all when then find the keys to a strange cabin on the premises where time seems to function... differently.
William Sleator has a lot of fun with the time-twisting cabin, making an effort to explain the rules governing it and figure out creative ways to play with them (You hear that, LOST? If you are going to introduce a Mystical Cabin of Mystery, do something interesting with it!). And while I wouldn't call the characters deep or anything, he uses the cabin as a device to shed (see what I did there?) light on the strained relationship between the twins (Barry is bossy and mean, and cry-baby Larry feels like the unwanted brother). The dynamic is fairly applicable to any sibling relationship, and probably would have spoken to me in elementary school.
And, sigh, I can't believe I have to mention this again, but there is a long section near the end of this book where one of the twins (young teen boys, you will remember) is naked for pages and pages, so long that after a while you're like, no, surely he is not still naked? But then you are reminded that he is. And, like, OK, you are twins, but put on some pants.
January 6, 2016
Ever since I read this as a kid I remembered the premise of this story, that a kid finds the other end of a singularity (the center of a black hole) in a shack on a relative's property. I didn't remember anything about the actual plot, so it was almost fresh to meet the main characters, twin brothers who don't get along great. As I read I realized part of the reason I didn't remember it was because I internalized it; I think I identified a LOT with the twin who is telling the story. In any case, the relationship is depicted quite well: the twin who voices the story is fearful, cautious, and nerdy, and the other is the athletic, charming bully. That relationship colors everything that happens, and feels real and appropriate for how a 16-year-old's life would be. And I noticed how Sleator hands the reader a list of things to do that will help their mental health, especially if they are introverts: exercise, a regular schedule, writing in a journal, and meditation. Although a bit obvious, it's nice when you can learn something useful, especially from a work of fiction.
The other interesting thing about this all-too-literal coming of age story is that things that got sucked into the black hole on the other end of the singularity keep coming through, and the characters never know exactly what's going to come through next...
The other interesting thing about this all-too-literal coming of age story is that things that got sucked into the black hole on the other end of the singularity keep coming through, and the characters never know exactly what's going to come through next...
May 30, 2020
Not graphically horrifying, but will make an impact. Best for ages 11 up, as it's more sophisticated/ complex than the popular covers and the low page-count imply. The science aspect is actually not all that strong, but it's fun to think about... it's the twins' relationship that is the best part of the book (at least for this adult) and (major) especially .
Sleator's a good writer, too. Underappreciated, because it seems effortless. For example, the dog is described, not by appearance or behavior, but simply as "part cocker spaniel, part mutt." Note that this says everything you need to know about it.
Recommended if anything about it intrigues you.
(Do not click on the spoiler if you are considering reading the book!)
Sleator's a good writer, too. Underappreciated, because it seems effortless. For example, the dog is described, not by appearance or behavior, but simply as "part cocker spaniel, part mutt." Note that this says everything you need to know about it.
Recommended if anything about it intrigues you.
(Do not click on the spoiler if you are considering reading the book!)
October 8, 2023
A creative, thoughtful, and sometimes legit creepy sci-fi book for young readers about a set of twin brothers who stumble upon a time-warping pocket of space between two universes. This one really captivated my imagination when I read it in middle school and still impressed me as an adult reading it aloud to my 13, 11, and 7 year-olds. The kids loved it.
January 30, 2011
This was always my favorite William Sleator book as a kid, and on re-reading I find that it still is. I love how Sleater injects fascinating and weird science into his books -- and also includes a dose of psychology and/or horror. His stories stick with you.
This is the story of teenage twin boys who are checking out a house that the family inherited after the death of a distant uncle. The boys quickly discover something weird about the playhouse out back, where time runs differently than elsewhere. In fact, it runs much, much faster, which is explained by it being located on a singularity, which is warping local space-time. This in itself is a fascinating device for exploration, but it ends up serving a second purpose due to the boys' particular relationship. I won't spoil it by going into details, but the latter part of the book in which Harry goes on his own personal quest has always enthralled me, for the amazing exercise of will, the personal growth, and the resulting effect on the twins' relationship.
I have a couple of scientific quibbles with things that happen in the book, but they're not really worth enumerating. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. This is excellent, well rounded science fiction for people of any age.
This is the story of teenage twin boys who are checking out a house that the family inherited after the death of a distant uncle. The boys quickly discover something weird about the playhouse out back, where time runs differently than elsewhere. In fact, it runs much, much faster, which is explained by it being located on a singularity, which is warping local space-time. This in itself is a fascinating device for exploration, but it ends up serving a second purpose due to the boys' particular relationship. I won't spoil it by going into details, but the latter part of the book in which Harry goes on his own personal quest has always enthralled me, for the amazing exercise of will, the personal growth, and the resulting effect on the twins' relationship.
I have a couple of scientific quibbles with things that happen in the book, but they're not really worth enumerating. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. This is excellent, well rounded science fiction for people of any age.
Read
July 31, 2011AH-HAH! I remembered this book for YEARS and could never remember what it was, but now it has been found for me!
Now all I need to do is find a local copy and actually read it again....
***
So I finally checked to see if my local library had this book! Huzzah!
Okay, so the plot doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but that was never really the point. The point is the survival story angle of the boy who spends his year in the time-stretched shed getting a year older, and how it feels for him to get a year older all alone like that. That was the part I remembered, and (thank goodness) that was the part that the book emphasized as well. The resolution of the monster plot? Negligible. The resolution of Harry's relationship with his brother? Everything.
Yes, the things I do and don't remember accurately are always a strange selection.
Now all I need to do is find a local copy and actually read it again....
***
So I finally checked to see if my local library had this book! Huzzah!
Okay, so the plot doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but that was never really the point. The point is the survival story angle of the boy who spends his year in the time-stretched shed getting a year older, and how it feels for him to get a year older all alone like that. That was the part I remembered, and (thank goodness) that was the part that the book emphasized as well. The resolution of the monster plot? Negligible. The resolution of Harry's relationship with his brother? Everything.
Yes, the things I do and don't remember accurately are always a strange selection.
July 17, 2022
Il primo libro di fantascienza che abbia mai letto. Lo presi in prestito nella piccola biblioteca della mia scuola media. Gli sono debitrice.
August 21, 2008
I have always tried to find this book in libraries..the story has stayed with me since childhood. One of the most vivid books I ever read as a kid, haunting, mysterious..the characters and plot really pull you in. The funny thing is that for the longest time I swore the book was written by William Shatner, not William Sleator! Maybe that explains why I was never able to find it...
August 17, 2020
This was one of my favourite books as a child, and the first "scary" book I ever read. It's still every bit as magical to me now as it was back then, and I was just as reluctant to put it down before finishing.
Harry and Barry discover that the garden shed in their grand-uncle's garden hides a place where time works differently. One second outside corresponds to an hour within. Harry is sick and tired of Barry always acting as if he's older, so he decides to stay in there for a night, so he'll end up being a year older than his twin.
The fascinating thing about the book is not as much the plot itself, as it is the descriptions of how Harry keeps himself physically and mentally fit during his year of solitude.
I read this book in one sitting and was so totally immersed in it, that when I looked up from it, I was almost surprised to find that less than an hour had gone by, and I wasn't stuck in some kind of timewarp myself.
Reread in 2020: The odd thing about rereading this book as I get older is that I start thinking about the impracticabilities of it... how would Harry stay healthy with no sun-light for an entire year? (although I guess the vitamins take care of some of that?) How are they ever going to explain what happened to their parents? Why didn't he just leave the keys inside the playhouse instead of trying to throw them away? But at the end of the day, I still love it, and it is still the same thing that appeals to me now as when I first read the book - the mental and physical routine Harry makes for himself during his year of solitude.
Harry and Barry discover that the garden shed in their grand-uncle's garden hides a place where time works differently. One second outside corresponds to an hour within. Harry is sick and tired of Barry always acting as if he's older, so he decides to stay in there for a night, so he'll end up being a year older than his twin.
The fascinating thing about the book is not as much the plot itself, as it is the descriptions of how Harry keeps himself physically and mentally fit during his year of solitude.
I read this book in one sitting and was so totally immersed in it, that when I looked up from it, I was almost surprised to find that less than an hour had gone by, and I wasn't stuck in some kind of timewarp myself.
Reread in 2020: The odd thing about rereading this book as I get older is that I start thinking about the impracticabilities of it... how would Harry stay healthy with no sun-light for an entire year? (although I guess the vitamins take care of some of that?) How are they ever going to explain what happened to their parents? Why didn't he just leave the keys inside the playhouse instead of trying to throw them away? But at the end of the day, I still love it, and it is still the same thing that appeals to me now as when I first read the book - the mental and physical routine Harry makes for himself during his year of solitude.
August 13, 2008
All of William Sleator's books are good science fiction for young people, even though most of them take overdone subjects for yet another ride. Sleator somehow does it differently and in a more character-oriented fashion.
This one's about a room where time doesn't move the same as it's supposed to. Some of the book is dedicated to some kids figuring out its mysteries. But . . . then one of them figures out how to use this room to buy him some time for his own advantages.
This was my favorite William Sleator book, hands-down. When the main character spent a whole bunch of time in that room and learned to discipline himself and pass the time, it seemed groundbreaking to me when I read it as a kid, watching a character remake himself like that.
This one's about a room where time doesn't move the same as it's supposed to. Some of the book is dedicated to some kids figuring out its mysteries. But . . . then one of them figures out how to use this room to buy him some time for his own advantages.
This was my favorite William Sleator book, hands-down. When the main character spent a whole bunch of time in that room and learned to discipline himself and pass the time, it seemed groundbreaking to me when I read it as a kid, watching a character remake himself like that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2023
I picked this up because of a post in r/tipofmytongue, where the person was looking for this book and I 100% recognized it. I had a vivid memory of the cabin floor covered with old leaves. Apparently, it was dead insects, but I was pretty close. I have no memory of the rest of the book and I question whether I actually read it, or just the first couple of chapters.
But also, the rest of the book is very strange for young adults, and maybe it just didn't stick with me. Obviously, I'm an adult now, and no longer the target audience, but do kids really want to read about someone basically wasting a year of their life? It was such a strange choice!
The trip down memory lane was fun even if it was only one scene from the entire book. The rest of it I found to be rather tedious.
But also, the rest of the book is very strange for young adults, and maybe it just didn't stick with me. Obviously, I'm an adult now, and no longer the target audience, but do kids really want to read about someone basically wasting a year of their life? It was such a strange choice!
The trip down memory lane was fun even if it was only one scene from the entire book. The rest of it I found to be rather tedious.
April 18, 2009
It must suck to be William Sleator. He writes fascinating, memorable plots that wouldn't be out of place in much more famous books, but no one can ever remember his name. I read this book after it turned up as the answer to a book identification question someone e-mailed the library with. His books are rivaled only by Ray Bradbury short stories in the frequency they appear on "what was that book?"-type websites.
In Singularity, a pair of 16-year old twin boys arrive at their recently deceased great-uncle's house in rural Illinois to house sit until their parents have time to come take care of his affairs. The book is narrated by Harry, the less popular, less athletic, less outgoing twin. He worries that his brother, Barry, who can be moody, pushy and mean, doesn't like him and wishes he weren't a twin.
So when they discover a bizarre "playhouse" on the property where spending one hour inside is equal to one second outside, Harry gets...an idea.
This book wasn't as great as House of Stairs, but it was still a solidly enjoyable sci-fi read. I noticed that every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, just like Nancy Drew books, and that was sort of cheesy. But other than that, a great YA book.
In Singularity, a pair of 16-year old twin boys arrive at their recently deceased great-uncle's house in rural Illinois to house sit until their parents have time to come take care of his affairs. The book is narrated by Harry, the less popular, less athletic, less outgoing twin. He worries that his brother, Barry, who can be moody, pushy and mean, doesn't like him and wishes he weren't a twin.
So when they discover a bizarre "playhouse" on the property where spending one hour inside is equal to one second outside, Harry gets...an idea.
This book wasn't as great as House of Stairs, but it was still a solidly enjoyable sci-fi read. I noticed that every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, just like Nancy Drew books, and that was sort of cheesy. But other than that, a great YA book.
June 11, 2011
Thank goodness the book picked up near the latter third. I really hated the main characters. Truly, couldn't stand either Barry or Harry. Wanted to punch them in the face. Once it picked up though, (after Harry's decisive action), it got more interesting. Well, I suppose only more interesting than the first half. *sigh* In some ways, it reminded me of The Stranger by Camus. But mostly, it reminded me that I couldn't wait for this book to end.
November 9, 2023
I can not believe I have never heard of William Sleator until I found a box full of his books at a transfer station. He has a great imagination and wonderful way of keeping the reader interested.
December 2, 2019
I liked this book, I like the action and how it was actually entertaining to read. I like how they did not know their grandfather and discovered all these mysterious things about him and his house. It was entertaining how they figured that the mysterious shed was actually the reason for the rumors about uncle Ambros. It was, for the most part, a good book and a good sci-fi read. It was a little confusing to understand what was happening in some parts but cleared all the confusion. The twins were the only ones in the house the parents were in California and the house was inherited. There were also some unclear things on how the rock ended up in the shed and if it is the reason Ambros died. And how barry saw the strange creature. I liked this book even though there were some boring and confusing times in the book. All in all, I like this book and recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2015
Singularity was the first science-fiction book I had ever read, way back when I was in seventh grade. While I admittedly don’t have any real interest in science-fiction nowadays, this books will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only is the author William Sleator, one of my favorite authors as a child, but the book also features some realistic science behind it.
Plot
Barry and Harry Krasner are twin brothers whose family inherits a home and some land from an estranged great-uncle. The land and house aren’t the only things their great-uncle Ambrose left them. He also left them a playhouse; a strange structure where even stranger things happen.
Like several of Sleator’s other works, the plot starts of simple and he expands upon them. This also happens in Singularity. The finding and studying of the strange phenomenon that happen in the playhouse isn’t the only thing going on in the book. I wish there had been more exploration of the other-worldly things going on. The book is short but I think anybody who likes sci-fi would enjoy Singularity.
Writing
The writing in the beginning of the book started off a little tense. After only about two chapters in did it get better. I suppose this was Sleator’s inability to write mundane things because the first two chapters are just the Krasner twins learning about their uncle’s will and getting to the property. Once all that is finished the writing has a chance to shine.
The writing wasn’t all that unique or spectacular, but it was good. Things were described well and with not too much detail. Sleator made me feel things about certain characters that I knew I was supposed to feel. I was supposed to dislike Barry and I did, but not in a way that was too strong. Concepts that were very scientific were explained so anybody reading could understand. The way Harry’s time spent in the playhouse was magnificently done! The writing was very good, no complaints here.
Characters
There are three characters the reader gets to know: Harry, Barry, and Lucy (a neighbor of old Uncle Ambrose). I liked Harry, our main character. Other reviewers saw him as whiny but I think his character was done well. He was a bit of a worrywart and quite a scaredy-cat but I think his reactions were reasonable. I didn’t like Barry but I’m pretty sure the reader wasn’t supposed to like him very much. Mission accomplished, Sleator. Lucy I didn’t care about because she served no real purpose except to give background information on the Krasner twins’ Great-Uncle Ambrose.
Things I Didn't Like
I suppose the only thing I didn’t like was the lack of diversity and how Sleator never went further with the alien planets. The novel was short and only focused on life on Earth. I would have loved if there had been more, or another point of view, about the planet on the other side of the singularity. The story only told from Earth seems like such a waste of sci-fi potential.
Diversity
All of the characters are white and there is a bit of heterosexual romance in the book. There was no diversity, which why this book doesn’t get five stars.
Overall
I loved Singularity as a child and I still love it now. It was my first foray into science-fiction and I couldn’t have picked a better book to do it with. I wish the book had been longer, expanded on the science-fiction part more, and had more diversity. It’s still a great book, in my humble opinion.
Here is a link to my notes.
Plot
Barry and Harry Krasner are twin brothers whose family inherits a home and some land from an estranged great-uncle. The land and house aren’t the only things their great-uncle Ambrose left them. He also left them a playhouse; a strange structure where even stranger things happen.
Like several of Sleator’s other works, the plot starts of simple and he expands upon them. This also happens in Singularity. The finding and studying of the strange phenomenon that happen in the playhouse isn’t the only thing going on in the book. I wish there had been more exploration of the other-worldly things going on. The book is short but I think anybody who likes sci-fi would enjoy Singularity.
Writing
The writing in the beginning of the book started off a little tense. After only about two chapters in did it get better. I suppose this was Sleator’s inability to write mundane things because the first two chapters are just the Krasner twins learning about their uncle’s will and getting to the property. Once all that is finished the writing has a chance to shine.
The writing wasn’t all that unique or spectacular, but it was good. Things were described well and with not too much detail. Sleator made me feel things about certain characters that I knew I was supposed to feel. I was supposed to dislike Barry and I did, but not in a way that was too strong. Concepts that were very scientific were explained so anybody reading could understand. The way Harry’s time spent in the playhouse was magnificently done! The writing was very good, no complaints here.
Characters
There are three characters the reader gets to know: Harry, Barry, and Lucy (a neighbor of old Uncle Ambrose). I liked Harry, our main character. Other reviewers saw him as whiny but I think his character was done well. He was a bit of a worrywart and quite a scaredy-cat but I think his reactions were reasonable. I didn’t like Barry but I’m pretty sure the reader wasn’t supposed to like him very much. Mission accomplished, Sleator. Lucy I didn’t care about because she served no real purpose except to give background information on the Krasner twins’ Great-Uncle Ambrose.
Things I Didn't Like
I suppose the only thing I didn’t like was the lack of diversity and how Sleator never went further with the alien planets. The novel was short and only focused on life on Earth. I would have loved if there had been more, or another point of view, about the planet on the other side of the singularity. The story only told from Earth seems like such a waste of sci-fi potential.
Diversity
All of the characters are white and there is a bit of heterosexual romance in the book. There was no diversity, which why this book doesn’t get five stars.
Overall
I loved Singularity as a child and I still love it now. It was my first foray into science-fiction and I couldn’t have picked a better book to do it with. I wish the book had been longer, expanded on the science-fiction part more, and had more diversity. It’s still a great book, in my humble opinion.
Here is a link to my notes.
May 8, 2010
Barry, as usual, gets his way and him and his twin brother Harry are sent off to their dead great-uncle's deserted farm to "house-sit." Barry has always been more athletic and aggressive. When they fully understand the playhouse made on the property of their great-uncle - how time moves faster there, it's a link between this universe and another, and a monster is going to come through - Harry wants to tell the police and warn people before they get hurt. Barry opposes and threatens to stay in the playhouse until he is a year older than Harry. Harry loves his brother despite how much he gets bullied by him and is scared that he'd no longer have a "twin." For awhile they don't speak, then Barry taunts him and it sets off an anger in Harry, who instead goes live in the playhouse for a year (about three hours in our universe). How does Harry change? What happens to the monster? It's an amazing journey of science fiction and a lesson on sibling relationships.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2007
Number two on my list of my three favorite William Sleator books. I loved the idea that something so monumental could grow in the sink in the shed, and I have a really strong memory of how old sixteen sounded to me at the time. I haven't re-read this one recently, but his other books have held up pretty well. I'd guess that Singularity is no exception, since the real-life themes are as strong as the sci-fi concept, as in any good speculative fiction.
October 29, 2014
The twins Barry and Harry house-sit a farm house with countless impossible skeletons. Barry is extremely competitive and hates looking just like his twin. Harry only wants to get closer to his brother.
I loved the way Harry developed from a dependent boy to a partially grown up young man. Although this is not a book with a lot of action, it is a wonderful read with a lot of chilling moments.
Highly recommended to young readers with a liking for intelligent SciFi.
I loved the way Harry developed from a dependent boy to a partially grown up young man. Although this is not a book with a lot of action, it is a wonderful read with a lot of chilling moments.
Highly recommended to young readers with a liking for intelligent SciFi.
September 18, 2018
A brilliant novel by an under-appreciated novelist, intelligent and melancholy. If you've never read it, read it. If you read it when you were younger, read it again and you may find that it resonates in a new way.
November 23, 2009
This book simultaneously frightened me and blew my mind when I was younger. To say why would spoil the ending.
November 8, 2014
This book was super interesting. I read this probably 12 years ago, so my memory is fuzzy, but very positive.
November 9, 2019
These twins are sociopaths.
November 20, 2022
Always fun to re-read a YA book from your youth and have it be as good as you remembered. ❤️
August 11, 2019
[ Note:
I wish this website allowed you to pick the artwork from the edition you read and remember.
I must have had the first edition print, with the pastel coloured artwork of the shed with the sundial outside of it..
Very '80s ! ]
I went to a good school, reading was encouraged. I have NO IDEA why, but our teacher decided to pick this book and we all read chapters of it in class. I don't think we ever finished it, so I got it out the school library and finished it myself.
Another one of those books that holds weird nostalgic memories because of the time and place that I read it..
What can I say.. this book fucked me up!
It's more of a horror story than a fun childrens adventure.
This is all from memory nearly 30 years ago, but I still remember it.
Two identical twin brothers that don't get along very well find that FOR SOME REASON the shed in their garden contains a singularity where time runs at an exponentially faster rate within. One of the twins gets it in their head (or they both do) that if one of them was older, then they'd get more respect (?) So, he plans to spend a couple years in the shed. But obviously, being twins, I think they both have a similar idea.
But one of them starts stockpiling rations in the shed, but because time runs faster, everything goes moldy. So, most of it is canned good and long-life crackers and stuff.
I remember the beginning of the meat of the book, where the clock strikes midnight, expecting the other to be asleep, one twin makes dash in the middle of the night to the shed. Once there, after a couple weeks, he sees his brothers bedroom light turn on. Another week goes by, he can see him moving past the window - and after a month, he can see him coming down the stairs.. basically, he's sprinting to the shed, but it will take him a year to get there because time is moving slower.
I remember him doing exercise, eating mold biscuits, rationing his food and water - he has a year or so to spend in the shed while watching his brother slowly advance towards him.
I'm sure I've mixed up most of the story.. but I remember it being a lonely, isolating, sad, horror tale of lies, deceit, misery, going slowly mad.. and some freaky physics that I'm not sure either ever gets explained or resolved. I think the shed may even stop working in the end.. but one brother is left older, and I don't think anybody winds up happy with what transpires.
---
That review was entirely from a 20+ year old memory.
Now, having read the decription afterwards and seen the cover.. I don't remember any metal teeth sharks or 'portal to terror'.. Just that time ran weird so the plot I described above took place.
Um.. I may have to re-read this.
These days time travel, space travel, black holes.. super heroes.. you name it - its on TV and in movies. But this is one of those early sci-fi what-if books that I think was quite original for its time. Obviously the originators of all thins sci-fi by the likes of HG Wells, Philip K Dick, William Gibson etc.. are the masters. But this is a quirky, dark tale that doesn't have much like it at the time of print. And so for that, I rate it a midrange read, but deduct a point yourself for having no nostagic factor for you. Because of the memories of school, my teacher (possibly dead now?) and the classroom and library I learned the fundamentals and enjoyment of reading and learning in, it gets a bonus star for my own personal rating.
Also, learning at 11 years old about singularities causing time to run at different rates and that being true, around black holes.. well, actually wherever there is gravity, was quite mindbending and sparked an interest in physics I still have to this day.
My 20 year long subscription to New Scientist is testament to that. I started it in Secondary school and still have it delivered once a week to wherever I'm living. And I sure have moved around!
Bottom line..
Weird book. Bleak and lonely. Physics gone awry!
I wish this website allowed you to pick the artwork from the edition you read and remember.
I must have had the first edition print, with the pastel coloured artwork of the shed with the sundial outside of it..
Very '80s ! ]
I went to a good school, reading was encouraged. I have NO IDEA why, but our teacher decided to pick this book and we all read chapters of it in class. I don't think we ever finished it, so I got it out the school library and finished it myself.
Another one of those books that holds weird nostalgic memories because of the time and place that I read it..
What can I say.. this book fucked me up!
It's more of a horror story than a fun childrens adventure.
This is all from memory nearly 30 years ago, but I still remember it.
Two identical twin brothers that don't get along very well find that FOR SOME REASON the shed in their garden contains a singularity where time runs at an exponentially faster rate within. One of the twins gets it in their head (or they both do) that if one of them was older, then they'd get more respect (?) So, he plans to spend a couple years in the shed. But obviously, being twins, I think they both have a similar idea.
But one of them starts stockpiling rations in the shed, but because time runs faster, everything goes moldy. So, most of it is canned good and long-life crackers and stuff.
I remember the beginning of the meat of the book, where the clock strikes midnight, expecting the other to be asleep, one twin makes dash in the middle of the night to the shed. Once there, after a couple weeks, he sees his brothers bedroom light turn on. Another week goes by, he can see him moving past the window - and after a month, he can see him coming down the stairs.. basically, he's sprinting to the shed, but it will take him a year to get there because time is moving slower.
I remember him doing exercise, eating mold biscuits, rationing his food and water - he has a year or so to spend in the shed while watching his brother slowly advance towards him.
I'm sure I've mixed up most of the story.. but I remember it being a lonely, isolating, sad, horror tale of lies, deceit, misery, going slowly mad.. and some freaky physics that I'm not sure either ever gets explained or resolved. I think the shed may even stop working in the end.. but one brother is left older, and I don't think anybody winds up happy with what transpires.
---
That review was entirely from a 20+ year old memory.
Now, having read the decription afterwards and seen the cover.. I don't remember any metal teeth sharks or 'portal to terror'.. Just that time ran weird so the plot I described above took place.
Um.. I may have to re-read this.
These days time travel, space travel, black holes.. super heroes.. you name it - its on TV and in movies. But this is one of those early sci-fi what-if books that I think was quite original for its time. Obviously the originators of all thins sci-fi by the likes of HG Wells, Philip K Dick, William Gibson etc.. are the masters. But this is a quirky, dark tale that doesn't have much like it at the time of print. And so for that, I rate it a midrange read, but deduct a point yourself for having no nostagic factor for you. Because of the memories of school, my teacher (possibly dead now?) and the classroom and library I learned the fundamentals and enjoyment of reading and learning in, it gets a bonus star for my own personal rating.
Also, learning at 11 years old about singularities causing time to run at different rates and that being true, around black holes.. well, actually wherever there is gravity, was quite mindbending and sparked an interest in physics I still have to this day.
My 20 year long subscription to New Scientist is testament to that. I started it in Secondary school and still have it delivered once a week to wherever I'm living. And I sure have moved around!
Bottom line..
Weird book. Bleak and lonely. Physics gone awry!
January 8, 2024
I have no idea who recommended me Singularity, by William Sleator. It was probably a horror channel or something. The idea in it, as well as its metaphorical interpretation, are pretty cool. Unfortunately, the writing style, characterization and plot are so bad I couldn't keep reading.
So here is the story of a family who had prepared a two week vacation for the parents alone, also taking draconian measures that the two twin boys remaining home would have absolutely no fun. "But we're 16, we shave!" - a valid argument - is ignored. So here come the news of the dying of a forgotten relative which leaves them a mysterious country house. So here's the idea: how about the kids go keep people from vandalizing the house while the parents are on vacation, completely unsupervised, in a different environment than they are used to, on the advice and in the 10 minute care of the local lawyer who they had not met before? Perfect!
The two boys are as different as black and scared. One of them is a full on psychopath, while the other is a soft scared little shit. They get there and immediately meet a random neighboring girl of the same age. They also discover just as fast a "singularity" of time and dimension with weird (and inconsistent) properties. One boy wants to "experiment", the other just wants to be careful and play with his dog, the girl seems to have no personality whatsoever.
The cartoonish simplicity of the characters and the writing style makes the whole thing, narrated of course first person from the perspective of the "weak but good" brother, unbearable to read for me. And there are these leaps of logic and robotic reactions of the characters that are simply grating. There is this moment where the dog dies. One brother cries, the other and the girl go to eat and then have a swim. Yes, it's that dumb.
It's a really short book, but after approximatively a third in, after the dog thing, I've decided I would not continue. There are spoiler synopses of the book online, I've read those, yes, interesting premise, terrible execution.
So here is the story of a family who had prepared a two week vacation for the parents alone, also taking draconian measures that the two twin boys remaining home would have absolutely no fun. "But we're 16, we shave!" - a valid argument - is ignored. So here come the news of the dying of a forgotten relative which leaves them a mysterious country house. So here's the idea: how about the kids go keep people from vandalizing the house while the parents are on vacation, completely unsupervised, in a different environment than they are used to, on the advice and in the 10 minute care of the local lawyer who they had not met before? Perfect!
The two boys are as different as black and scared. One of them is a full on psychopath, while the other is a soft scared little shit. They get there and immediately meet a random neighboring girl of the same age. They also discover just as fast a "singularity" of time and dimension with weird (and inconsistent) properties. One boy wants to "experiment", the other just wants to be careful and play with his dog, the girl seems to have no personality whatsoever.
The cartoonish simplicity of the characters and the writing style makes the whole thing, narrated of course first person from the perspective of the "weak but good" brother, unbearable to read for me. And there are these leaps of logic and robotic reactions of the characters that are simply grating. There is this moment where the dog dies. One brother cries, the other and the girl go to eat and then have a swim. Yes, it's that dumb.
It's a really short book, but after approximatively a third in, after the dog thing, I've decided I would not continue. There are spoiler synopses of the book online, I've read those, yes, interesting premise, terrible execution.
September 28, 2019
I’m currently reading some of Sleator’s books for a YA Adult Lit class in an author study. I’ve always been a fan of Sleator since I was a kid, having read House of Stairs and Interstellar Pig. He is an incredibly imaginative storyteller and does a lot with a little. I love how he’s able to paint the inner workings of the characters like Harry’s “Great Walk” or “Saturnalia” during his time in the playhouse as suddenly Euphoric and the descriptions given to the reader are vivid. Despite the age of his books, they date well for the most part (no pop culture references in this one, and the physics still being relevant today). I do think Sleator works hard to maintain the rules of his universe, the time displacement of the Playhouse vs the outer world, though you could find holes in it especially when it happens the first time with Harry leaving the playhouse. Lucy’s southern Illinois drawl feels a little ridiculous, but for a young adult it would allow them to enter into the world a bit. Sibling conflict is a consistent theme in his books and for this one in particular helps to propel the plot forward.
December 8, 2020
This is a quick YA read that I would never have picked up without having had the book recommended to me. The cover design makes the book look very juvenile, and In the upper left corner of the front cover is written "It's not just a playhouse-- it's a portal into terror" That does not attract me to the book at all, and after having read the book, I don't believe the person who came up with that actually did read it. They must have heard an incomplete summary of parts of the book from someone else and then filled in their own details.
The main theme of the book is the interplay between two twin brothers with very different personalities. There is some fun sci-fi talk thrown in about black holes, event horizons, time dilation, and such, and an interesting discussion about the effects of, and how to deal with, long-term isolation. All of these touched on quite briefly, since the whole book only takes a couple hours to read.
The main theme of the book is the interplay between two twin brothers with very different personalities. There is some fun sci-fi talk thrown in about black holes, event horizons, time dilation, and such, and an interesting discussion about the effects of, and how to deal with, long-term isolation. All of these touched on quite briefly, since the whole book only takes a couple hours to read.
November 2, 2022
Una storia di fantascienza per ragazzi in cui lo scorrere del tempo e i buchi neri diventano quasi una metafora per parlare di crescita. Barry e Harry hanno 16 anni e sono gemelli, eppure hanno atteggiamenti agli antipodi. Barry è sicuro di sé e appassionato di sport, mentre Harry ama le scienze e appare più remissivo e taciturno. Quando si trovano a passare alcuni giorni in una strana fattoria in Illinois, ereditata dallo sconosciuto zio Ambrogio, fanno una scoperta che stravolge le loro conoscenze sul mondo reale. Un luogo in cui non valgono le leggi della fisica sperimentate... Dopo un inizio lento, la narrazione coinvolge anche i lettori più grandi, come la sottoscritta, regalando riflessioni non banali. Faccio comunque presente che il libro è stato pubblicato nel 1985 (prima edizione americana), quindi i giovani protagonisti sono sprovvisti delle tecnologie a cui siamo abituati oggi.
April 16, 2024
This is a re-read of a book that I loved as a kid. I was a huge fan of Sleator's work. This book, of all of his that I read, haunted me the most. I remembered it the most as well, although there was a lot I'd forgotten. In my buddy read with my friend Laura, we took it in chunks of 6 chapters at a time. Until we got to the last section, which was three chapters. Up until that point, weirdly, I feared my memory of the book was painted with nostalgia. It was enjoyable, don't get me wrong. But I thought maybe a book I loved when I was 8 or 9 just hadn't held up that well. But the last three chapters are fantastic. Pushing the story towards something more akin to cosmic horror at one point, before getting a little more philosophical. Yes, it's still very much a middle grade/YA book (probably more the former) and written for that audience. But I found the last three chapters really gave it a little something extra and special.
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