BOOK DETAILS :
- Publisher : Complex Plane
- Publication date : 6 June 2026
- Language : English
- Print length : 282 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1067691006
- ISBN-13 : 978-1067691004
ABOUT THE AUTHOR :
Abhishek Tripathi is a software developer and writer based in Ireland. He writes literary fiction that uses impossible premises — time travel, speculative scenarios — to ask uncomfortable moral questions. The Time Traveller Who Could Not Get Laid is his latest book.
BOOK REVIEW :
Some books entertain. Some books challenge. And then there are books that quietly dismantle beliefs you didn’t even realize were being questioned. The Time Traveller Who Could Not Get Laid falls firmly into the third category.
At first glance, the title promises something humorous, outrageous, and perhaps even absurd. And yes, there is plenty of wit and awkward comedy. But beneath the provocative title lies a surprisingly thoughtful coming-of-age story about masculinity, identity, loneliness, and the dangerous narratives young men often inherit from the internet.
What follows is not the adventure Navi expects.
Across different historical settings, from medieval India to New York in the 1980s, from the vibrant culture of 1970s Goa to 1960s Kenya; Navi encounters women whose experiences force him to confront the myths he has built his worldview around. Each journey peels back another layer of his assumptions, revealing a far more complex reality than the simplistic narratives he has consumed.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to tackle serious themes without becoming preachy. The author blends humour, historical exploration, social commentary, and emotional growth into a narrative that remains highly readable throughout. Navi is not always likable, but that’s precisely what makes his character arc so compelling. Watching him stumble, learn, and gradually evolve becomes the heart of the story.
Mira, meanwhile, adds an intriguing layer of mystery and wisdom to the narrative. She acts as both guide and catalyst, nudging Navi toward uncomfortable truths while allowing him to discover them on his own.
What impressed me most was how the novel challenges nostalgia. It questions the idea that there was ever a “better time” for everyone and highlights perspectives that are often overlooked when history is viewed through a selective lens. The result is a story that feels remarkably relevant to today’s conversations about gender, relationships, and self-worth.
The writing strikes a balance between humour and introspection, making the heavier themes accessible without diminishing their impact. While the premise is undeniably unique, the emotional core of the story is deeply human: the search for belonging, understanding, and becoming a better version of oneself.
Overall, The Time Traveller Who Could Not Get Laid is a bold, intelligent, and unexpectedly heartfelt novel. It is funny when it needs to be, uncomfortable when it should be, and ultimately rewarding in the way it encourages reflection long after the final page.
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