The Novel at a Glance: The Cold War escalates when Western forces discover that the Reds may be using time travel to access alien technology from artifacts located in the indeterminate past. Ross Murdock is a criminal with a special skill set, captured and volunteered for a trip back in time in the hopes of finding the location of the Red base and with it the source of this alien technology.
Pros: Minimal dated elements; heroic protagonist shows moments of frailty; descriptive passages place the reader very firmly in this primitive age.
Cons: Ending sequence drags in places; the occasional ‘convenient’ escape from trouble.
My Experience: This is time travel in its purest adventure form with the focus on the destination, not the technology used to get the character there and back again. Despite his criminal background Ross Murdock is a likeable protagonist that I enjoyed journeying with through the early nomad tribal period of history. The novel delivered descriptions of the primitive society that made me feel like I was there. While I feel that my first Norton experience, Star Born, was a better book, The Time Traders delivers a fun, nostalgic, accessible adventure.
My Rating: 7.5/10
“The men we send out from here to explore the past are not only given the best training we can possibly supply for them, but they are all of the type once heralded as the frontiersman. History is sentimental about that type–when he is safely dead–but the present finds him difficult to live with.”
It would be relatively easy to be dismissive of 1950’s era juvenile fiction, be that from Andre Norton or someone as or more famous for juvenile fiction, Robert A. Heinlein. That would be a mistake. It would equally be a mistake to assume that what now feels like a stock character–the criminal who is involuntarily rehabilitated for the good of mankind–is not a character worth reading. These classics have proven to be resilient because they approach the reader with the attitude of taking them on an adventure that is not over-simplified for the audience. They also don’t shy away from telling a ripping good story.
In The Time Traders Ross Murdock certainly seems like he will fall into a well-known mold when he is picked up, trained and shipped off to a more primitive time period in the guise of a trader. His internal dialogue is filled with bravado and his sole hope is based on the surety that no prison can hold him and that he will escape. That mold starts to show cracks as Murdock’s plans don’t shake out the way they have in the past and throughout this 220 page novel Norton reveals a more complex character than I frankly expected to find. That is not to say that The Time Traders is incredibly deep in characterization, but it did say something to me about Norton’s skill at storytelling that Murdock experiences trials and tribulations on his journey, is not immune to failure, and is frequently willing to admit his weaknesses and look for a solution that at times involves allowing others to help.
Protagonists visiting/existing in more simple, primitive surroundings was a well-worn trope long ago but it is one that continues to work, I think in large part because authors have the whole of existing knowledge about these ancient time periods upon which to draw for inspiration and authenticity. I was struck while reading The Time Traders that very little in the novel is quaintly dated and I believe that has to do with large chunks of the novel reading like historical fiction. References to “tapes” are made a few times but beyond that it is only the Cold War era references that ground the novel to a specific period and that doesn’t really date the book in the sense of obsolescent technology but instead grounds it in its “present” history. The novel very cleverly and openly addresses the Communist scare, Cold War fears about the Russians discovering or inventing some weapon to tip the balance in their favor, and the lengths Western society would go to in order to prevent that from happening. I have always been fascinated with the Cold War and I enjoyed the double glimpse into historical periods that Norton provided in this novel.
Andre Norton spends a great deal of time immersing her characters in the time period to which they are sent, in so doing providing a lot of descriptive passages between action scenes that made the world come alive in my imagination but may bog down contemporary readers used to non-stop action. Towards the end of the book Murdock’s journey did manage to bog down a degree but Norton manages to end it nicely while setting things up for further assignments in the following books.
When I determined to read this novel I went searching online to see if there was a cover image that I liked well enough to buy the book and I came across this Ace version with an uncredited cover that I like very much. Through much of the novel I wondered if it was a case of the company just finding a cover they thought would sell the book and I was pleased to find that the alien technology plot actually ties in nicely with the cover illustration. While minor in comparison to the primitive and Red elements, the alien science fictional elements provide for some imagination-stirring moments and I thought the idea of going back in time to find advanced technology was keen.
The Time Traders is the kind of novel that I regret not having read as a child because of its ability to stir up a sense of wonder. As an adult I appreciate the entertaining aspects of the adventure and can also recognize that Norton, like Heinlein, did not talk down to her audience but instead wrote in such a way that I understand things I never would have picked up on had I read it as a child. The Time Traders is recommended for fans of time travel books who do not need to get caught up in a lot of minute detail about how the travel works scientifically and as a classic not only delivers an interesting look into the late 1950’s views about our future but also opens a window onto the fears associated with world politics of that era.
I will be continuing on in the series with a future read of The Galactic Derelict. This was fun.
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Andre Alice Norton (Alice Mary Norton) was an American science fiction author who led a very prolific writing life, including publishing many novels classified as “juveniles”. In 1983 she was named a Damon Knight Grand Master. In February of 2005 the Andre Norton Award was created to acknowledge outstanding work of fantasy or science fiction. She passed away in March of 2005.
The Time Traders was published in 1958, the first of a series of books featuring Ross Murdock and the secret agency bent on thwarting the Reds at all costs. The novel was tweaked by Norton in 2000 to bring it in line with more current world events. [Source: Wikipedia]
I shall look forward to reading this, just found the free download for this out of copyright
http://manybooks.net/titles/nortona1914519145.html
You can also download it for Kindle or Kindle app for free on the Amazon dot com site as you can several other Norton titles.
I hope you enjoy it Scott.
Cool. I just downloaded it! And I didn’t have to pay for it so I didn’t break my rule. Thanks Carl!
You can also down Star Born, which I liked even better, free in the Kindle version on Amazon. 🙂
excellent, thanks for that info, heading to Amazon now, keep up the sterling work 🙂
Thank you, I will try.
Carl, so glad to see Norton here I’ve been enjoying her works this past month. I agree with your statement that deep characterization is not a prerequesite to enjoying her space adventures. At least that’s what I’ve found so far. 🙂
I’m not sure about this one, although I will download it to my Kindle, but I am definitely reading Star Born.
Her novels fit very much into that 50’s juvenile pattern and I enjoy that. There is a certain degree of explanation that is either science-based or pseudo-science based but that is written in a way that does not talk down to the audience, there will be an adventure aspect to the story and while the characters may not be deeply complex I have found them to have some dimension and are generally likeable characters.
Star Born has been my favorite of the two that I’ve read. I can see Norton being like Heinlein in that I sample her SF work a little at a time over the years until one day I sadly run through them all. That won’t be any time soon. 🙂
I read a lot of Andre Norton when I was a teen. Often I could find her used paperbacks at the thrift store and pick up several for my pocket-change allowance. She was one my main introductions to SF. I should revisit her work as an adult.
I can definitely see her books being gateway books into science fiction, which is why I wish I would have discovered her in my youth. Not that I am in any way suffering in experiencing her work as an adult because I enjoy it very much. Had I read it when I was young it would have rocked my world, reading it as an adult I appreciate it as a work of its era and am highly entertained by it.
Admittedly, I haven’t read a ton of Norton, but so far Star Born has been my favorite. I have a total weakness for time travel stories, so this is another one of hers i need to get my hands on!
I don’t mind the pseudoscience, for me the fun of time travel stories is the traveler being surprised by things in the other time, and all the situational stress and humor that tends to show up. Murdock also sounds like a great character to spend some time with – he talks all macho, but when push comes to shove he’s got some issues!
I haven’t either but one day I will be able to say I have. And I have no shortage of books to go to seeing as how I bought several Norton SF paperbacks at a used bookstore last month.
Murdock was fun. I liked his bravado and also enjoyed that he often reacted in a genuine fashion when push came to shove…sometimes he shoved back and sometimes it got to be too much and he contemplated throwing in the towel.
I keep waiting for you to read Witch World. I re-read this one and it’s sequel last year or perhaps in 2011. I’m glad you liked it, but it’s not top level Norton.
Maybe that one will pop up during the fantasy challenge this year.
I read THE TIME TRADERS decades ago when I was a kid. And it’s sequel has one of my favorite titles of all time: GALACTIC DERELICT!
I actually got a copy of Galactic Derelict for Christmas from my friend Jeff as he knew I was going to be reading Time Traders this month. It, GD, is sitting on the table next to my recliner right now.
The original GALACTIC DERELICT had one of my favorite EMSH covers, too! You can see it here: http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&tbo=d&biw=1440&bih=684&tbm=isch&tbnid=m5wVOKBkTQhiyM:&imgrefurl=http://people.uncw.edu/smithms/D-singles.html&docid=jLwxss87NRlGLM&imgurl=http://people.uncw.edu/smithms/Ace%252520singles/sD-series/D-498.jpg&w=250&h=392&ei=H5T0UO6vMumG0QHQwoDYBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=491&vpy=85&dur=14622&hovh=281&hovw=179&tx=91&ty=115&sig=106788313635796929103&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=92&start=0&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0,i:96
That is exactly the cover Jeff found for me. I like it very much.
I’m glad you put a Norton book up here. I read a ton of Witch World books when I was young, but have forgotten them. I’ve read a couple of shorter novels more recently, but haven’t found one that really grabbed me yet. I wonder if your readers have favorites they will recommend.
Since the Cold War in SF is one of my favorite side roads to wander, I may have to check this one out.
Well Richard above highly recommends Witch World. This book, Time Traders, is one of my friends’ favorites and for the moment (only two books read) I would have to go with Star Born as my favorite. I like the clash of cultures storyline and there is a Jack Vance/Dying Earth element that Star Born has which makes it stand out to me.
And Hilicia, who commented above, recently reviewed Sargasso of Space which is one I have on my shelf waiting to be read:
http://www.impressionsofareader.com/2013/01/andre-norton-sargasso-of-space-solar.html
Just started reading Sargasso of Space last weekend. Liking it a lot. I have a bunch loaded on my iPad to keep me happy over lunch breaks.
I’m probably going to have to try to get to that one soon while it is fresh in everyone else’s mind. 🙂
Thanks Carl – just went over and checked out Hilicia’s review. We’ll see if I have time this month for more old stuff.
I’m glad to help share the SF love!
OMG I am just groaning – another author that I’ve never read! Still, so many things free or really cheap on the kindle – I must take a look!
Thanks
Lynn 😀
I am exactly the same way Lynn. I’ve discovered a countless number (or at least it feels that way) of new authors this past month. Its crazy.
Well now. I’ve been meaning to read more Norton–and I’ve been feeling this odd urge lately to read something set in the very distant past–and I always love a good time travel story…
You are REALLY not helping with my goal to reduce my To Be Read list! 🙂
I saw your comment over on the End of Eternity post too. You need to read both of these! 🙂
Speaking of time travel stories, I saw a link on SF Signal today that Jeff and Ann Vadermeer are putting together a reprint anthology of time travel stories. They just put out a call for stories so it will be awhile before it comes out but it may be one to keep an eye out for.
I was lucky enough to read Andre Norton as a child — she was my intro into SciFi.
She wrote as Andre Norton, because, at that time, it was not believed that women could write Science Fiction and she could only get published with a male name.