Nicole Valentine, the author behind the captivating middle-grade novel, A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity, shares her unique approach to crafting immersive stories. She weaves “Easter eggs” into her narratives, grounding her fictional worlds with tangible elements from our own reality. These “real-world anchors,” as she calls them, serve a dual purpose: they enhance reader engagement by creating a bridge between fiction and reality, and they enrich the reading experience by prompting real-world exploration connected to the Time Travel Theory explored in her book.
One such anchor in A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity is the intriguing “tree with doorknobs.” This isn’t a figment of imagination; it’s a real, whimsical landmark situated atop Dorset Peak. Adventurous readers inspired by the time travel theory in the book can actually visit this quirky site in Dorset, Vermont, and capture their own photos, mirroring Finn’s discovery in the novel.
Note: For those planning to explore Dorset Peak, remember to prioritize safety. Nicole Valentine advises using a reliable trail map, carrying ample water, utilizing hiking poles for stability, and, crucially, informing someone of your hiking plans.
The mystery surrounding the doorknob tree adds to its allure. Perched high on Dorset Peak, it stands as a literal “door set” in Dorset, a testament to Vermont’s playful spirit. Valentine recounts her own encounter with the tree as the genesis of a “magical system” in her writing. She playfully suggests that encountering the tree might hold special significance, particularly for those who consider themselves “Travelers” in the context of time travel theory.
Another fascinating real-world anchor is the former marble quarry, now a popular swimming spot. Once a closely guarded local secret, this location has gained recognition online, appearing on numerous “Best Of” lists and becoming a notable tourist destination. Historically, marble from this quarry played a significant role in constructing iconic East Coast landmarks, including Harvard Medical School, The New York Public Library, Arlington National Amphitheatre, the Supreme Court, and the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. In A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity, both Aunt Ev and Gabi acknowledge a palpable magic emanating from the mountain. Travelers in the story utilize stones from this mountain as grounding elements, preventing accidental time jumps, further weaving the time travel theory into the real landscape. While this specific quarry is no longer active, the nearby Danby quarry continues to extract and distribute Dorset Mountain marble globally. Valentine playfully wonders about the potential implications of distributing these “magic rocks” worldwide and whether their journey is being tracked.
The novel also playfully incorporates “proof” of time travelers. Aunt Ev shares an anecdote about supposedly being caught on film using a cell phone in a Charlie Chaplin film. This alludes to genuine footage from Chaplin’s 1928 film The Circus, which does depict a woman engaging in seemingly anachronistic behavior. Furthermore, astute readers might recognize Aunt Ev’s initial appearance and her penchant for thievery as a subtle homage to a beloved character from Madeleine L’Engle’s classic A Wrinkle in Time, adding another layer to the time travel theory connections within the narrative.
These are just a few of the meticulously placed Easter eggs within A Time Traveler’s Theory of Relativity. As Valentine herself states in her book, “You can find all sorts of things, no matter where your particular universe happens to lie. You must work for your knowledge, though. It takes time to see the whole picture.” Exploring these real-world anchors not only enriches the reading experience but also encourages readers to engage with the time travel theory presented in the book on a deeper, more tangible level.
