The Panchronicon

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27682

Title

The Panchronicon

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Harold Steele MacKaye's whimsical time-travel adventure follows sisters Rebecca and Phoebe Wise, who discover a machine allowing travel through history. Joined by the eccentric Copernicus Droop and historical figures like Francis Bacon and Sir Guy Fenton, they navigate Elizabethan London, evade bailiffs, and uncover Shakespeare's secrets in a blend of humor, romance, and historical fantasy.

Summary up to 500 words

In Harold Steele MacKaye's *The Panchronicon*, set in Peltonville, New Hampshire, sisters Rebecca and Phoebe Wise investigate historical letters from 1598 that suggest a connection to William Shakespeare. Their curiosity leads them to the Panchronicon, a time machine operated by the drunken but inventive Copernicus Droop. The narrative intertwines the sisters' modern-day quest with the historical adventures of Francis Bacon, who flees Elizabethan London bailiffs. To escape, Bacon trades his fine clothing with Droop, who then rides away to distract the pursuers while Bacon slips into the time machine. The group travels through time, encountering Sir Guy Fenton, Phoebe's love interest, and facing the relentless pursuit of the Queen's watch. After a chaotic escape involving a breach in a wall and a confrontation with the Queen's forces, the machine activates. However, a journey through time takes them to 1857 instead of their intended destination, leaving Francis Bacon accidentally behind. This mishap sparks a literary conspiracy, as Bacon, stranded in the modern era, adopts the pseudonym "Delia Bacon" to claim Shakespeare's authorship, a theory that has historically deluded many. Upon returning to the correct timeline, Droop discovers missing equipment, specifically a phonograph containing valuable Elizabethan records. Suspecting Bacon of theft due to their prior grudge, Droop chases him back to 1857 to retrieve the items. After Bacon clears his name, Droop agrees to return him to 1598 as atonement. The story concludes with the group safely returned, revealing the Panchronicon's wonders and the enduring legacy of its characters. The novel blends historical fiction with science fiction, exploring themes of authorship, the nature of genius, and the consequences of time travel, all while maintaining a humorous tone through the antics of its eccentric characters.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Science Fiction
• Time Travel