The Chronocar

by Steve Bellinger

An Urban Adventure in Time

Imagine being born the son of a slave with the mind of a genius. That was Simmie Johnson in the years following the Civil War. After a perilous escape from oppression, he manages to earn a PhD in physics at Tuskegee, and in his research, discovers the secret of time travel. He develops a design for a time machine, called a Chronocar, but the technology required to make it work does not yet exist.click for review

Fast forward a hundred and twenty-five years. A young African American Illinois Tech student in Chicago finds Dr. Johnson’s plans and builds a Chronocar. He goes back to the year 1919 to meet the doctor and his beautiful daughter, Ollie, who live in Chicago’s Black Belt, now known as Bronzeville. But, he has chosen an unfortunate time in the past and becomes involved in the bloodiest race riot in Chicago’s history.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Time Travel

148 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2015

Reviews

[Sue Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young man finds a research paper in a 1901 issue of the "Negro Journal of Science" explaining how to build a time traveling machine. In 2015, all the parts are now available, so he builds the "chronocar" and goes back to meet the scientist who wrote the article. He happens to arrive in 1919 just as Chicago's worst race riot breaks out, and he wants to save the scientist and his lovely daughter. But things just keep getting worse.... Innocent good intentions are not enough.

This fast-moving book might be especially apt for young adult readers. It's interesting to see what's changed in Chicago and the United States over the century and what hasn't.

In a twist, the ending solves the time travel paradox: a believable and satisfying answer, but not a happy one.

[African Americans on the Move Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

The high intelligence that Simmie Johnson was born with could be the very reason he would meet his maker given the time he lived in. He was born the son of slaves. When his parents were sold, his grandmother took him in and raised him as her own. Growing up, Simmie knew he was smarter than most and begged a teacher in the white school to teach him how to read. It was during this time that he became interested in physics and time travel. As an adult Simmie knew it was extremely dangerous to be a black man and even more so for one that possessed a high IQ. Leaving town in a hurry, Simmie ends up Alabama where he attends and earns a PhD in physics from the Tuskeegee Institute. He never gave up his idea for time traveling, even having his works published in a science journal. Sadly he was unable to fulfill his dreams as the technology he needed did not exist. Tempus Neminem Manet-time waits for no one. A century later, the works of Dr. Simmie Johnson are discovered by Tony Carpenter. He studies them and decides to build the Chronocar that was designed by Dr. Johnson. When he discovers that it works, he decides to travel back in time to meet Dr. Johnson. There’s an old saying of let sleeping dogs lie. This may or may not be in the best interest of all involved. Tony is determined to go back in time to change history but can he do so or will things be beyond his control? The reader will enjoy the story as actual history is included. The author gives details down to the smallest fact and writes very smoothly. All characters were developed accordingly which I think is very important.


Zandra Barnes
AAMBC Reviewer

[J C Steel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bored students will get into trouble. Always. In this case, Tony, a gifted young engineering student, has stumbled across an obscure article dating to the early 1900s, discussing how to build a vehicle to move through time – and has built a successful prototype. Determined to meet the genius whose idea it originally was, Tony sets his first journey through time to the time and address of Dr. Johnson. However, his arrival sparks a brutal race riot, and in his efforts to fix the fallout caused by his presence, Tony finds himself more and more embroiled...

Steve Bellinger’s The Chronocar is a striking story, based on the well-loved sci-fi theme of time travel, and the paradoxes that it spawns. The threads of race and survival woven into the plot add depth, not to mention food for thought, and reading gives the feeling of strands of causality twisting and parting at every turn, while the characters meshed in the web live and die with them. This book snared my interest early on, and held it right through to the end, making it a highly satisfying read with a very nice twist in the finale. Certainly something I would recommend to any sci-fi enthusiasts.

Reviewed for By Rite of Word.

[Christian Andreo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly well done

I am just fantastically impressed, and that doesn’t happen often. Just so well done, and not just the science, the complexities of time travel. I began to care about these characters - and as they experienced hate and fear... I felt it. I’ve never felt that before. The look at racial tension is something, as a suburban white man, I have a very slim understanding of. I believed, but I never felt. This is as close as I’ve come to understanding the fear, the unfairness of it all. Perhaps it is that these deep hatreds are experienced by a man from 2015, an educated man from the suburbs with a similar culture, thrust into a world with so much anger in it.

This book isn’t just a fantastic story with a mind-blowing ending... I really believe it’s a piece of culture that I’ll be recommending to as many people as possible. My hat is off.

[Samuel Durr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling page turner. Like a little boy trying to clean up spilled cereal things go from messy to just plain chaotic for Tony, the novel's main character. Meanwhile, the reader enjoys watching it all go to hell. The vintage Chicago setting is quaint and the pacing is good. However, some of the story feels forced, like the use of the Chicago race riots, while interesting, at times the historic event felt jammed into the story.

[Astrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not a SF fan, but this was actually a pretty good tale of time travel and all the possible issues caused by it. Liked the ending, not at all what I expected.

[Max Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sci-fi/historical fiction combo---loved it!

The author employs the medium of time travel to reflect on race relations from a century ago. He offers well-developed characters, crisp dialogue, descriptive action, and powerful settings. I used time travel as a plot support in my first novel. Mr. Bellinger cranks it up a notch, making it the focus of his story. He does not disappoint. One of my best reads this year.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and satisfying novella about time travel based about Chicago. Extra points for the discussion of racial history in Chicago, which was integrated pretty seamlessly into the storyline.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing premise, surprising twist. A good, quick read.

[Nina]

This was an okay read. I love historical fiction, so a sci-fi read about Black Chicago history should have been a great read for me. However, the things that I didn't like about the novel were big turnoffs. Read more of my thoughts on Black Girl Nerds: https://blackgirlnerds.com/bgn-book-r...

[Joel Swokowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time travel done like I've never experienced... and the ending was AMAZING!

[Deedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good story.I was hoping for a fun time travel book,this was not one.A young black man in 2015 finds plans a scientist laid out decades earlier for a time machine.He rebuilds it to locate the man and alters time WAY too many times.Surprise ending. Earl Sewell was a mostly good narrator.His Irish and Scottish were a bit over the top,but it made me laugh. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[MaryEllen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Chronocar is about Tony Carpenter, a Tech student who discovers an old article written by Sammie Johnson. Sammie was born a genius, but because he was born a son of a slave his ethnicity kept him from publicly sharing his ideas on time travel. Sammie was able to publish his theory in the Negro Journal of Science and this is where Tony found it almost a century later. With modern technology, Tony created the Chronocar and traveled back to 1919 to meet the man whose theories made time travel possible. What Tony hadn’t anticipated was how complicated traveling in the past could be. He finds himself in a turn of events that could possibly disturb the future he once knew.

I rarely pour out my praise on a book, but Steve Bellinger did a fabulous job in writing The Chronocar. From the beginning, the story grabbed my attention and I was immediately transported into the lives, and times, of Sammie Johnson and Tony Carpenter. The story was easy to follow, even with all the scientific jargon about time and space, and it held my interest through to the end.

At one point in the story I was flabbergasted at how Tony’s appearance in the past caused such a domino effect on the lives of those he encountered. So much so, I had to put the book down for a bit to ponder the mess he had gotten himself into! Now, when I have to put a book down to think about the circumstances surrounding a character, well, that gives you an indication of how much I have invested myself in the story. What a great job the author did in endearing his characters to me.

I don’t want to give the ending away, but I will say the ending surprised me. I didn’t see it coming at all! It was such a surprised ending that I had to talk about it after I read it. My husband listened to my rants about how the ending wasn’t what I had expected. He was very supportive as I shared my feelings and told me it must have been a good story for me to discuss it this much afterward. Yes, yes it was a good story.

Steve Bellinger’s writing and storytelling made a fan out of me. Plus, did I mention he is a Star Trek fan? After reading The Chronocar, I checked out his bio on his website and was happy to learn I had something in common with him. Yeah, he’s a fellow Trekkie! And I also discovered he has another book coming out soon, Edge of Perception. I couldn’t find a synopsis on this new book, but I’m still looking forward to reading it.

Now for my recommendations…

Since this book isn’t very long and it’s easy to read, I would recommend this book to kids in the 5th or 6th grade. The story is interesting enough to grab their attention and I think they will get a lot of enjoyment out of reading The Chronocar. Older audiences will also enjoy Steve Bellinger’s book because the story is complicated enough to keep an adult’s attention as well.

*** Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ***

[John Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tony, a black IIT student from the modern day (specifically, 2015) discovers a paper published a hundred-ish years ago by a black physicist describing how time travel might be possible. However, that physicist, a Dr. Simmie Johnson, could not confirm his theory because the technology to actually create a machine that could travel time did not yet exist. However, Tony realizes that he can do it, so he does. He builds a working Chronocar and decides to travel back in time to 1919 to show Dr. Johnson his theory made reality.
Only... things keep getting messed up. Things aren't happening like the history Tony knows - and it's all his fault for altering the timeline. So Tony has to try and fix the mess he made.

This is a really cool story that takes a few surprisingly dark turns. I'm not entirely sure that its theory of time travel, why it works like it does, and why it has certain limitations (it would be spoilery to discuss this in too much detail) really makes sense though, which keeps me from giving this 5 stars. It kinda feels like things work the way they do because the story needs them to, rather than because the logic holds up. Still, the story is well told, the characters are interesting and relatable, the sense of time and place is very well constructed. This is a pretty awesome little sci-fi novella and I'm super glad I had the chance to read it.

[Steve Bellinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As reviewed by Francine Zane for Readers' Favorite

In The Chronocar, science fiction meets history in a dynamic tale of time travel. When Tony finds a science journal about time travel, he combines this new found knowledge with his own near genius talents to design a Chronocar. His first trip is to meet the gentleman who wrote the paper, a Dr. Semmie Johnson who was once a slave but escaped a harrowing ordeal in search of an education. Through trial and error, Tony learns the true dangers of time travel on both history and the future.

I enjoyed both the plot and the history and science that were introduced into the story to provide the validity to the time travel theories. Combined with interesting characters and believable scenes, I found The Chronocar an excellent read that I would recommend especially to teens and young adults.

Steve Bellinger’s story also fills a much-needed niche by featuring black main characters. While Bellinger used racial tensions to add drama to the story, he balanced the dangers of being a minority through history with the fact that not all whites were bigots any more than all blacks were ignorant. He is a master storyteller who takes the time to set the scene with both historical facts and memorable characters. I especially enjoyed how he chose times in history that were unexpected, such as starting Semmie Johnson’s story after the Civil War and choosing a quiet time in history for Tony to make his trip back to Chicago, just prior to the Chicago race riots of 1919. By choosing relatively quiet times in history, the reader gets a better feel for what the everyday man experienced.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot but writing style could be improved.

[Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Note: a complimentary copy was provided for review)

To be honest, I started THE CHRONOCAR shortly before the election...and couldn't quite get into it. Traveling back and forth downtown the next day I managed to read it through both trips on the Midway Orange Line.

Steve Bellinger's THE CHRONOCAR is a really good, brisk science fiction novel about time travel...but its focus is on the African-American experience. When Tony, a student at IIT, discovers a paper about time travel by a man who lived almost a century before, he decides to build the machine and see things for himself...

...and that kicks off the plot. It's hard to discuss the actual plot without spoiling it, but one of the great things about THE CHRONOCAR is that it addresses the usual tropes of time travel fiction...but it also provides insight into the African-American experience both currently and in a "less enlightened" time.

Centering around a little-known aspect of history, THE CHRONOCAR defies many expectations - the plot moves along at a brisk pace, tropes are used in creative ways, and the ending contains a twist worthy of THE TWILIGHT ZONE.

Although I would categorize this book as a Young Adult novel, there are elements here that can please anyone. THE CHRONOCAR is a short, brisk, entertaining read that deserves a place on your bookshelf.

After you've read it, of course. :)

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy science fiction, I recommend “The Chronocar.” Normally it takes me awhile to get through books. I read this in two days because it was captivating and held my interest from beginning to end.

[Geldar · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part of my Chronocar experience was the surprise --- getting repeatedly lulled into thinking it was a light-hearted Back-to-the-Futurish time-travel adventure, only to be suddenly ripped into a darker reality. By the time the first time-travel-related death occurred, I was totally sucked in, and I really didn’t see the ending twist coming. (E.g. the beginning with Tony’s friend Jimmy as a seemingly primary character was a great misdirection… I thought we’d be coming back to him.) The excitement builds throughout and the ending is perfect.

Secondly, I appreciated the history. Being transported to old Chicago was fascinating and horrifying.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent time-travel novel with a brilliant twist.

[Peter Okonkwo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excerpt..."What if it sits there and does nothing like before? What if it catches fire and burns the building down? What if it explodes?"

Steve Bellinger's The Chronocar is an amazing science fiction that held me captive until I finished indulging my relatable emotions in it. It's an absorbing novel that got me contemplating, searching for knowledge amidst the facts expounded in it.

The book began with Simmie, who has been through a lot in his hateful community, his eventual escape leads him to meet Jefferson and Johnny Weeks. While Simmie faced all odds, he was someone who has a great mind, and insight despite his unfavorable conditions.

I admire the scenarios and the description of Tony's travel to space, his experience in space, and the story-telling techniques of this particular part is fascinating, it reads like a movie and it made for an interesting read. It was intriguing reading about Tony's arrival and diverse experiences in 1919.

I admire the fact that the novel reads in a way that one could refer to the past, I love that author's description of photography, fashion, housing; and the transition of events in the old times in contrast to 2015 where Anthony came from. As I read this part, I mused if the phenomenon of time travel could ever be possible and if it's ever possible, what could have been its likely consequences.

This book stylishly expounds on American racism in the years of 1900s. How the blacks are been maltreated and brutally harassed. This part reminded me of what racism was like in America from 1900 to 1930 a time often referred to as the Segregation Era. My thought shift to the Niagra movement in 1905 and as I contemplated on this section, I recalled the autobiography of Ida B Wells titled "Crusade For Justice."

This book is an amazing blend of science, prejudice, and research. It's emotional to some degree and catchy in other instances. When I finished reading this book, I thought within myself that if we could ever have the power to truly date back or draw back the hands of time. A lot of restitution would have been made, if we, humans could ever have the power to go to the past, it would have been an amazing thing or it forever remains a paradox.

Steve's Chronocar is a dynamic science fiction. I love the plot twist and its characterization. The author's writing style is distinctive though I seem a bit confused with the placement of characters in some chapter's transitions, however, I subsequently catch up with it. This book is an impressive fiction novel that I solely recommend to lovers of science fiction and literature at large.

Nonetheless, I shall continue to ponder, if time travel is ever going to be possible if we can ever build a real-time machine, a Chronocar...

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! A five star experience!

By: Steve Bellinger
Narrated by: Earl Sewell

Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance: 5 of 5 stars Story: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed: 05-29-22

Is the Chronocar a Fantasy? Maybe. A Science Fiction? Possibly. A brilliant, shocking, gripping story? Absolutely! YES!! This story managed to shock me, horrify me, and fascinate me! Brilliantly written, which should come as no surprise! This IS Steve Bellinger! I loved the science fiction/time travel aspect, the hint of romance and oh my, the bit of dare I say it, delicious shivery macabre! Some might be shocked by the explicit and extraordinarily accurate depictions of racial relations in 1919 America depicted in the story, but it should be kept in mind that while at times difficult to hear, these depictions are also most certainly accurate, and more importantly, integral to the plot. And that ending, no spoilers but holy King of surprises, Mr. Bellinger, not in a million years would I have called that one! I LOVED it! I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Earl Sewell’s fantastic and authentic narration! It was perfect and added so much to the “feel” of the story! This one is the full five star package and should not be missed! WOW!

[Brad Audiobibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a good plot and a clever storyline that is easy to follow. I love the idea of time travel despite the many paradoxes that it could create, some of which are detailed in this book. I don't really enjoy reading about race wars and the racial intolerance of the early 1900's but it plays an important part of the story so I can live with that.

Sadly I really didn't like the narrator. While he has a pleasant enough voice he...keeps leaving weird pauses in mid... sentence...for no apparent reason which gets...quite annoying quickly. He also twice pronounces debris as "duh-briss" instead of "day-bree" and performs probably the worst Irish accent ever.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Jim at Wordwooze Publishing and am voluntarily submitting an honest and unbiased review.

[Deanna James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of sci-fi so I knew I would be interested in reading The Chronocar. I wasn't disappointed. I loved this book. I could tell the author put hours of time researching facts and events to write this book. It was well written and the editing was perfect. The story was easy to follow.
Time travel is the subject of many movies and books. This story of traveling back in time was told with so much detail.
The Chronocar was a quick read. I wish it was longer. The last few chapters were unexpected as well as the ending. Totally didn't expect or preduct how it works end.
Well written. Action. Twists. Page turner.
Highly recommend for sci-fi book lovers.
Paperback Pushers
Reviewer, Deanna

[Aaron Eichler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young African American man from 2015 finds a paper about creating a time machine, and builds one and visits the author of the paper in 1919 who is also black and changes history and he keeps trying to fix it by going farther back but he never can. I like the idea of the time travel they use in this book, it is unique.

[Rhonda Bobbitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great science fiction and time travel story. It's Chicago in the early 6 and the beginning of the riots. Simmie Johnson has gone back into time at the wrong time. Beautifully written and a great book for history lovers.

[One Sentence Audio Critic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well performed audiobook! This award nominated short science fiction novel, playfully addresses time travel and race issues in the US; based on casual references to the scientific principles of Newton and Tesla.

[Peggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting time travel book, set in Chicago. I had to read it and was not disappointed!