Review of One Day All This Will Be Yours by Adrian Tchaikovsky
When I first dove into Adrian Tchaikovsky’s One Day All This Will Be Yours, I knew I was in for a wild ride, but I had absolutely no idea just how bizarre and delightful it would turn out to be. This being only my second encounter with Tchaikovsky’s imaginative world, I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer audacity of his storytelling. The idea of a post-apocalyptic saga, flavored with dark humor and sprinkled with a hint of time travel, just beckoned me. How could I resist?
The novella thrusts us into the aftermath of the so-called Causality War—a world irreparably damaged by the very invention of time travel. Our unnamed narrator, a time warrior with a taste for chaos (and a penchant for murder), has adopted a rather extreme approach to ensuring the war never starts again: by dispatching anyone with even a glimmer of ambition to create time travel. Yes, this man is about as far from a hero as you can get—a sociopathic figure who offers tea before slipping in a little existential chaos. Tchaikovsky cleverly positions this antihero in a world that feels painfully familiar, one marred by the same old human catastrophes: war, famine, and ignorance.
The first-person narrative is both sharp and reflective, taking us on a rollercoaster ride of wit and cynicism. Tchaikovsky’s prose crackles with energy, and I found myself chuckling at the absurdity of it all. Lines like, "A candle, I tell you. And the rest of it is the hurricane,” became etched in my mind, perfectly encapsulating the insanity of our human condition. The author masterfully balances the dark themes of the story with a levity that feels oddly comforting, making you ponder the mess we’ve made of the world while also laughing at the ludicrousness of it.
One of the most charming—and outright surprising—elements of this story was the delightful oddity of Miffly, our protagonist’s pet Allosaurus. Who could have imagined a tale featuring a time-traveling sociopath and his dinosaur companion? Tchaikovsky’s daring narrative embraces the bizarre in a way that feels fresh, allowing for delightful encounters that include a rather chaotic congregation of historical figures—think a chat with Hitler and Stalin, mixed in with a bit of Jack the Ripper’s trademark flair. If that doesn’t spark curiosity, I don’t know what will!
As I turned the pages, I could practically imagine Tchaikovsky reveling in the chaos of his creation, and I loved every minute of it. This novella puzzled me in the best kinds of ways, showcasing how humor can weave intricately through even the most serious of subjects.
If you’ve ever found yourself fascinated by the complexities of time—especially how it relates to our flawed humanity—this book is for you. Those who appreciate dark humor and an unorthodox approach to sci-fi will find a gem in Tchaikovsky’s work. One Day All This Will Be Yours not only entertained me but left me reflecting on the folly of humanity and our relentless drive to conquer time, often at our own expense.
In the end, I’m grateful for the chance to experience Tchaikovsky’s eccentric vision. Not only did I get a captivating story with stunning insights, but I also got to laugh along the way. Who knew a time-traveling sociopath with a pet dinosaur could leave such a lasting impression?
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