Popadanians are fictional heroes of literature, cinema or animation, suddenly falling into an unusual reality: the past, the future, the cosmic universe, or any other fictional world. The rating of the best books about fellow travelers by readers rating is further in this article.
The Chronicles of Narnia, Clive Staples Lewis
Undoubtedly, the most famous work of this genre is a series of seven fantasy books by K.S. Lewis written from 1951 to 1956. This is a story about children who entered the fictional magical land of Narnia through a magic cabinet, helped local residents escape from the White Witch and returned several times to the country with new characters. The book has a rating of 5 out of 5, it is not only the best in the genre of cunning, but also one of the best in the genres of fantasy and children's tales.
The Time Machine, Herbert Wells
The most famous novel by Herbert Wells, published in 1895, can be considered one of the founders of this genre. Together with The Chronicles of Narnia, The Time Machine ranks first in the ranking of the best books about fellow travelers with a rating of 5 out of 5. The book tells about a time traveler who fell into the dystopian world of 802701 and discovered the degradation of mankind due to progress and social inequality .
"Connecticut Yankees at the Court of King Arthur," Mark Twain
And this satirical work takes the first place in the ranking of books about fellow travelers into the past and also received a readership rating of 5 out of 5. The novel was written in 1889. The plot describes the entry of a typical Yankee Hank Morgan from America to England from the time of King Arthur. Thanks to "modern" knowledge, Hank replaced the wizard Marilyn and became the king's best friend and adviser. The work makes fun of the same type of chivalrous novels, very popular in the days of Mark Twain.
"May Darkness Not Fall," Lyon Sprague de Camp
Another book about a fellow traveler in the past is an Italian variation of a previous book by Mark Twain. It was published in 1941 and tells of the archeologist Martin Padaway, who was transferred from Italy in 1938 during the time of Gothic Rome. Like the Connecticut Yankees, the hero of the book “invents” many things from his time. Reader rating 4.8 out of 5.
The Solar System Series by Edgar Burroughs
This fantastic series of 16 books written by Edgar Rice Burroughs from 1912 to 1964, ranks first in the ranking of books about fellow travelers to other planets. The plot tells the story of an American officer John Carter, who suddenly appeared on Mars, fleeing the Indians. He settled on the planet, met with its rulers and inhabitants, faced with many different adventures. The reader rating of the book is 4.7 out of 5.
Star Kings, Edmond Hamilton
Another famous and beloved by readers is a story about a fellow traveler in the fictional world of the cosmic future - Hamilton's Star Kings and the continuation of Return to the Stars. The complete series was published from 1947 to 1969. The plot revolves around the American clerk John Gordon, who changed consciousness with the cosmic prince from the future Zarth Arn and began to exist in his body and the universe. The reading rating of the book is 4.65 out of 5.
"When the sleeper wakes up," Herbert Wells
Herbert Wells has a lot of books about fellow travelers, but today, only “When the sleeping person wakes up” can be compared in popularity to The Time Machine. It was released in 1899 and tells the story of a certain Graham who fell into a lethargic dream and woke up two hundred years later. Due to the growing bank account, he became the richest man on Earth, around whom a peculiar cult lined up, awaiting his awakening. The reader rating of the book is 4.6 out of 5.
"Return from the Stars", Stanislav Lem
In the ranking of books about fellow travelers into the future, "Return from the Stars," Stanislaw Lem takes second place after Wells' Time Machine. Her rating is 4.59 out of 5. The book was published in 1961. The plot tells of the space forwarder Bragg, who returned to Earth after 127 years, discovering a completely new, frightening civilization. He and other astronauts on the expedition become outcasts of an anti-utopian society.
"The Devil in Velvet" by John Dixon Carr
The hero of this 1951 novel, Professor Fenton, falls in love with a woman from a painting. In order to be near her, he makes a deal with the devil, and he transfers it to the body of the husband of this woman, who lives in London in 1675. Once in the past, the professor develops activities aimed at changing the course of all of British history. The book appeared in Russia relatively recently, but it has become one of the most popular among lovers of the genre of cunning. The rating of the novel is 4.55 out of 5.
"Children's book", Boris Akunin
According to readers, the book about Boris Akunin’s fellow travelers is the most popular among Russian works on this subject. She talks about Eraser Fandorin, a sixth-grade student who went to the past through a chronodyr. Called to correct the mistakes of his distant ancestor, he meets False Dmitry the First, who turned out to be a pioneer from 1967. Readers rating 4.5 out of 5.
Labyrinths of Echo Max Fry
And this book, according to the rating of the best fantasy about fellow travelers, is one of the most famous in Russia. "EXO Labyrinths" - a cycle of works about Max, which has moved to a parallel world and has become a secret detective, a hunter for evil magicians. "Labyrinths of Echo" combine a deep philosophy with an interesting plot and wit of the protagonist. The book gained wide popularity far beyond the borders of the homeland - this is the most translated work of Russian writers of the 21st century. A reader rating of 4.49 out of 5.
"Credible Fables, or Wandering in the World in the XXIX Century", Fadey Bulgarin
This story is the oldest in this ranking, but it is no less popular and interesting. "Believable fables" were published in 1824, so this is not only the first Russian book on time travel, but also one of the first in world literature. The main character of the story, who lives in 1824, fell into a shipwreck, and woke up after 1000 years, finding himself in a civilization absolutely amazing for him. Readers rating 4.45 out of 5.
"The Man Who Came Too Early," Paul Anderson
The plot of this story in 1956 is somewhat different from the usual, but because "The Man Who Came Too Early" occupies a rather high place in the ranking of books about fellow travelers. Readers rated the story 4.4 out of 5. The plot revolves around an American soldier who was transported to the Viking world. Alas, neither modern knowledge nor firearms helped him survive in such a past.
"Attempt to escape" Strugatsky brothers
This cult work of the Strugatsky brothers was published in 1962. The book tells about the inhabitants of 2250, who go to the feudal era. In the course of the plot, it turns out that one of the main characters is a kind of "deserter" from the past, who managed to escape from the Nazi concentration camp. The book is an example of the genre of priesthood, which does not specifically explain the way in time. The reading rating of the book is 4.29 out of 5.
"Down the Magic River", Eduard Uspensky
In the ranking of fantasy books about fellow travelers, one of the leading places among Russian works is occupied by the 1972 children's book by Eduard Uspensky, "Down the Magic River". The plot unfolds around the schoolboy Mitya, who accidentally finds himself in the world of Russian folk tales: his grandmother's girlfriend turned out to be the real Baba Yaga. Unique is the combination of a postmodern anti-utopian plot using classic fairy-tale characters. Readers rated the book 4.25 out of 5.
"Svarog", Alexander Bushkov
Another bright Russian-speaking representative in the ranking of books about fellow travelers to magical worlds is the cycle of works by Alexander Bushkov "Svarog". The series includes 26 books published from 1996 to 2018. The plot unfolds around Major Airborne Troops Stanislav Svarog, who dreams of exploits and battles. With the help of the Mongol shaman, Svarog is transferred to a parallel world where people live under the yoke of powerful sorcerers from flying islands. Svarog rating 4.1 out of 5.
"Lord from the planet Earth" Sergey Lukyanenko
"Lord from the Planet Earth" is a trilogy novel that tells the story of Sergey, who fell in love with a princess from another planet. She left him her magic ring, and with his help Sergey was transferred to the reality of his beloved, who was in danger. To do this, he needs to find the Earth, which does not exist for the inhabitants of the princess planet. Subsequently, it turns out that the main villains are aliens from the Earth of the future. Readers rated the novel 4 out of 5.
The Blue Man, Lazarus Lagin
"Blue Man" was written in 1966 by the author, best known for the book "Old Man Hottabych". The plot revolves around student George Antoshin, who came to Russia at the end of the 19th century. It is interesting that the young man does not try to change the past, but, on the contrary, throws all his strength into the good of the coming revolution. The novel was not very popular at the time, but rose from the ranks of modern lovers of cunning. Readers rating 3.88 out of 5.
The Witching World, Andre Norton
This 1963 series of novels is also known as the World of Witches and The Witches of Estcarp. He tells the story of Simon Tregart, a retired scout who found himself in a difficult life situation. The way out for him is moving into a fantasy world filled with magic, witches and castles. However, in such a seemingly fabulous world, there are laws and intrigues that are very similar to the lives of ordinary people. Book rating 3.5 out of 5.
Order of the Holy Best Seller, Henry Lyon Oldie
The satirical novel written in Ukraine in 2005 completes the rating of books about fellow travelers. The Order of the Holy Bestseller tells the story of Vlad Snegir, a science fiction writer who suddenly found himself a knight and ended up in a strange world of his own books. He is involved in a strange game in which he is faced with the animated problems of each writer. The book is a curious satirical and philosophical work. Readers rated the novel 3.25 out of 5.