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All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai, book cover

All Our Wrong Todays Summary

by Elan Mastai

3.76 Goodreads · 22k ratingsFantasy384 pages13-min summary

A man from a utopian future accidentally travels to our present, forcing him to choose between restoring his perfect world or embracing the messy beauty of our reality.

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By BookBrief EditorialPublished March 2026How we write summaries

Synopsis

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

Tom Barren lives in a utopian 2016, a future imagined by 1950s optimists, complete with flying cars and moon bases. Despite this perfect world, Tom feels out of place. After a catastrophic accident involving his father's time machine, Tom inadvertently travels to our 2016 – a reality he perceives as a dystopian wasteland. Stranded and struggling to adapt, he discovers a different, yet unexpectedly fulfilling, life with alternate versions of his family, career, and even a potential soulmate. Tom is faced with an impossible choice: use his knowledge to restore his original utopian timeline, or embrace this new, imperfect reality that, paradoxically, offers him a chance at true belonging and self-discovery. His journey becomes a quest across timelines to define his own identity and ideal future.
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Witty, reflective, hopeful, charming, slightly melancholic

All Our Wrong Todays Plot Summary

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

  1. The Perfect World

    Tom Barren lives in a utopian 2016, a retro-futuristic world. The Go-Forward machine, invented by Lionel Barren in 1965, ended scarcity and disease. Humanity has flying cars, moon colonies, and a positive outlook, free from war. Tom, however, feels like a failure, always overshadowed by his brilliant father, Lionel. He struggles with his job as a 'temporal tour guide' at the Chronosync agency. He is awkward and unconfident, wanting a connection, especially with Penelope, a co-worker who barely notices him. His father's latest project is a perfected time machine. Tom, despite his usual clumsiness, is chosen to be the first person to make a short temporal jump.

  2. The Temporal Anomaly

    During the first time-travel experiment, Tom is supposed to observe the past for a few minutes. However, a series of mishaps occurs. Penelope, his crush, unexpectedly appears in the time machine, revealing she is assigned to monitor him. Distracted by her and his own awkwardness, Tom accidentally activates the machine's emergency return sequence too soon. This error, along with a sudden power surge, causes a major malfunction. Instead of a simple jump and return, reality tears apart. Tom finds himself not back in his utopian 2016, but in a drastically different, seemingly worse version of the same year. Penelope is gone, and his future has vanished.

  3. A World Without Utopia

    Tom wakes up confused in a hospital in what he quickly realizes is our 2016. To him, this world is a bleak, backward place: no flying cars, no moving sidewalks, no moon bases, just traffic, pollution, and social unrest. He learns that the Go-Forward machine was never invented, and his father, Lionel, died in a car accident in 1965, never making his scientific breakthroughs. Tom is now a different person in this reality, an unremarkable, middle-aged architect with no memory of his past life. He struggles to accept this harsh new reality, feeling a deep sense of loss.

  4. The Journal and the Truth

    While living his new life, Tom discovers a hidden journal in his apartment. This journal, written by his 'original' self from the utopian timeline, details the events leading up to the time-travel experiment and the subsequent change in history. It reveals that Tom's accidental action prevented his father, Lionel, from inventing the Go-Forward machine. The journal also contains his father's detailed plans and calculations for the machine, giving Tom a small hope that he might be able to fix his mistake and restore his original timeline. He becomes focused on 'fixing' history.

  5. Meeting Penelope (Again)

    In this new 2016, Tom meets a woman named Penelope. She is not the same Penelope from his utopian world but a cynical, intelligent, and practical woman who works at a local library. Despite their different personalities and backgrounds, Tom is instantly drawn to her. He struggles with seeing a familiar face in a changed world, balancing his wish to restore his past with his growing feelings for this new Penelope. Their interactions are marked by Tom's awkwardness and Penelope's sharp humor, slowly building a connection that challenges Tom's sole focus on returning home.

  6. The Quest for the Go-Forward

    Following the journal's instructions and wanting to return to his original timeline, Tom begins a secret mission to recreate his father's Go-Forward machine. He uses his architectural skills to find a hidden workshop and starts assembling the complex parts. This effort pushes him to learn and grow, past his previous self-perceived limits. He faces many setbacks, showing his initial inexperience but also his growing resolve. His efforts are made more difficult by the need to keep his true identity and mission a secret from everyone, especially Penelope.

  7. Building a Life in the 'Wrong' World

    Despite his main goal of correcting the timeline, Tom unintentionally starts building a life in this 'wrong' 2016. He makes real friends, finds purpose in his architectural work, and deepens his relationship with Penelope. He discovers a version of his family – his mother and brother – who are different but loving. He begins to appreciate the complexities and flaws of this reality, finding beauty and meaning in its struggles and human connections. This growing attachment creates an internal conflict, as he questions whether restoring his old world is truly what he wants anymore, or if he has found a different kind of home.

  8. The Reveal and the Dilemma

    As Tom gets closer to finishing the Go-Forward machine, Penelope discovers his secret. She finds his journal and the partially built device, confronting him with the truth about his origins and his plan to erase their shared reality. This discovery causes a deep crisis in their relationship. Penelope is hurt and feels betrayed, struggling to understand how the man she loves could consider undoing their entire existence. Tom is forced to face the moral and emotional consequences of his actions, torn between his original mission and his love for Penelope and the life he has built with her.

  9. The Choice and the Consequence

    Faced with the completed Go-Forward machine and Penelope's heartbroken plea, Tom must make an impossible choice: activate the machine and return to his utopian past, erasing this current timeline and his relationship with Penelope, or destroy the machine and commit to this imperfect but meaningful present. He struggles with the weight of both decisions, knowing that either path means a deep loss. The choice is not just about which world to live in, but about which version of himself he wants to be, and what truly makes a 'perfect' life. He realizes the utopia was perfect, but he wasn't.

  10. A New Beginning, A New Ending

    Tom ultimately chooses to stay in our 2016, destroying the Go-Forward machine. This decision shows his acceptance of imperfection, his love for Penelope, and his new appreciation for the messy, unpredictable beauty of this reality. He embraces his life as an architect, his relationships, and the challenges that come with them. The novel ends with Tom reflecting on happiness and the idea that true fulfillment comes not from a perfect world, but from embracing the present and the people in it. He understands that while he lost a utopia, he gained a more authentic and personal future.

All Our Wrong Todays Characters

Tom Barren

Protagonist

The time-traveling 'screw-up' searching for his place

In his original utopian 2016, Tom is an insecure, unconfident 'temporal tour guide' constantly overshadowed by his brilliant inventor father, Lionel. He feels like a failure in a world of perfection. After accidentally altering history, he finds himself in our 2016, a 'dystopia' to him. Here, he is initially lost and driven by a desire to restore his old life, but gradually grows into a more self-assured, resourceful, and emotionally mature individual. He is observant, reflective, and prone to overthinking, but ultimately possesses a deep capacity for love and connection.

Relationships: Lionel Barren (Son/Father - complex, overshadowed); Penelope (utopian) (Unrequited crush); Penelope (our 2016) (Love interest/Partner); Barry (Brother (utopian and our 2016, different dynamics)); Mrs. Barren (Mother (utopian and our 2016, different dynamics))

Penelope (our 2016)

Supporting

The grounded, cynical librarian who challenges Tom

In our 2016, Penelope is a sharp-witted, intelligent, and pragmatic librarian. She is observant, direct, and initially skeptical of Tom's eccentricities. She serves as a grounding force for Tom, challenging his nostalgic view of his utopian past and helping him appreciate the complexities of the present. She is independent and strong-willed, capable of both deep affection and fierce anger when betrayed. Her love for Tom helps him see the value in the life he has stumbled into, making her instrumental in his transformation.

Relationships: Tom Barren (Love interest/Partner)

Lionel Barren (utopian)

Supporting

The brilliant inventor father of utopian Tom

Lionel Barren is Tom's father in the utopian timeline, a celebrated genius and the inventor of the Go-Forward machine, which ushered in humanity's golden age. He is brilliant, visionary, and somewhat detached, often absorbed in his work. While he loves Tom, his towering achievements inadvertently cast a long shadow, contributing to Tom's feelings of inadequacy. His legacy and the absence of his invention in our 2016 are central to the plot, as Tom endeavors to either recreate or abandon his father's dream.

Relationships: Tom Barren (Father/Son - complex, inspiring yet overshadowing)

Penelope (utopian)

Supporting

Tom's unrequited crush and fellow Chronosync employee

In the utopian 2016, Penelope is a colleague of Tom's at Chronosync. She is competent, attractive, and largely unaware of Tom's deep crush on her. Her unexpected presence in the time machine during Tom's first jump is a key factor in the timeline alteration. She represents the 'perfect' unachieved love in Tom's utopian life, a symbol of what he believes he lost when he changed history. Her character is less developed than her counterpart in our 2016, serving more as a plot device and a motivational trigger for Tom.

Relationships: Tom Barren (Unrequited crush/Colleague)

Barry Barren (our 2016)

Supporting

Tom's brother in our 2016

Barry in our 2016 is Tom's younger brother, a somewhat troubled but loving individual. He runs a less-than-successful business and struggles with various personal issues. Despite his flaws, he provides Tom with a sense of family and connection in this new reality. His relationship with Tom is authentic and often provides moments of humor and brotherly support, contrasting sharply with the more distant relationship Tom had with his utopian brother. Barry helps Tom feel grounded and accepted in this world.

Relationships: Tom Barren (Brother)

Mrs. Barren (our 2016)

Supporting

Tom's mother in our 2016

In our 2016, Tom's mother is a kind and supportive figure, though she carries the grief of losing her husband, Lionel, at a young age. She is a stable presence in Tom's life, offering warmth and unconditional love. Her character highlights the personal costs of the altered timeline, showcasing a life lived without the utopian advancements but rich in human emotion and resilience. She helps Tom appreciate the depth of familial bonds in this 'imperfect' world.

Relationships: Tom Barren (Mother/Son)

The Narrator

Narrator

Tom Barren, reflecting on his journey

The story is narrated by Tom Barren himself, looking back on the events from a point in the future. His narrative voice is reflective, often humorous, and deeply introspective. He frequently interjects with philosophical musings on time, choice, and the nature of happiness, providing a unique perspective on the events as they unfold. This narrative style allows for both immediate experience and later contemplation, giving depth to Tom's internal struggles and ultimate growth.

All Our Wrong Todays Themes

The Nature of Utopia vs. Reality

The novel explores what makes a 'perfect' world. Tom's original 2016 is a technological utopia, free from suffering, yet he feels unfulfilled. Our 2016, first seen as a bad place, offers challenges, flaws, and pain, but also deep love, personal growth, and real connection. The theme asks if true happiness is in an idealized, problem-free life or in embracing the messy, unpredictable richness of real life, with all its struggles and successes. It suggests that a perfect world might not be perfect for everyone, especially if it stops individual growth.

“Maybe the problem wasn't the world, maybe the problem was me. Maybe I was the wrong today for the right yesterday.”
Tom Barren

Choice and Consequence

A central theme is how individual choices, both accidental and planned, affect personal lives and reality itself. Tom's initial accidental time-travel error changes history, causing many unforeseen effects. Later, his conscious decision to either restore the original timeline or accept the new one highlights the importance of moral and emotional choices. The theme shows that every decision, no matter how small, has consequences, and that taking responsibility for those consequences is key for personal maturity and shaping one's own future.

“Every choice, every moment, every tiny decision branches off into infinite possibilities. It's exhilarating and terrifying.”
Tom Barren

Identity and Self-Acceptance

Tom's journey is one of self-discovery. In his utopian world, he struggles with feeling insufficient and lacking identity, always feeling like a 'screw-up'. Being thrown into a new reality where he is a different person forces him to confront who he is, apart from his father's legacy or what society expects. He learns to value his own strengths, accept his flaws, and ultimately define his own happiness and purpose. The theme suggests that true identity is not fixed but is shaped by experience, challenges, and the choices we make.

“I was learning that the past wasn't a place you could go back to, not really. It was a story you told yourself.”
Tom Barren

Love Across Timelines

The novel explores the lasting power of love, especially through Tom's relationships with the two versions of Penelope. His initial unrequited crush in the utopian world contrasts with the deep, evolving love he develops for Penelope in our 2016. This theme asks if love is an innate connection between people or a result of shared experiences and circumstances. It suggests that while the specific individuals might differ across realities, the ability for deep connection and affection can go beyond changed histories, becoming a powerful force that grounds Tom to his chosen reality.

“Maybe love wasn't about finding the perfect person, but about seeing the imperfect person perfectly.”
Tom Barren

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

The Go-Forward Machine

The pivotal time-travel device

This is the central scientific invention, created by Lionel Barren in the utopian timeline. It is a complex time-travel device capable of shifting entire realities or sending individuals to the past. Its accidental misuse by Tom is the inciting incident that alters history, and its potential reconstruction becomes the primary goal for Tom to restore his original timeline. The machine serves as a physical manifestation of the choice Tom faces: to revert to a 'perfect' past or commit to an 'imperfect' present. It is both a symbol of utopian possibility and the catalyst for profound disruption.

Tom's Journal

A record of the original timeline and the plan to fix it

Discovered by Tom in our 2016, this journal was meticulously kept by his 'original' self from the utopian timeline before the temporal shift. It details the events leading up to the accident, his father's plans for the Go-Forward machine, and the steps needed to recreate it. The journal serves multiple purposes: it explains the timeline alteration, provides a blueprint for Tom's mission, and acts as a direct link to his past self. It is a constant reminder of what he lost and what he believes he needs to fix, driving much of the plot's early momentum and internal conflict.

Parallel Timelines/Multiverse

The existence of multiple realities

The novel operates on the premise of parallel timelines or a multiverse, where different choices and events lead to divergent realities. Tom's accidental action doesn't just change his past; it creates an entirely new, distinct timeline that continues to exist alongside his original. This device allows for the exploration of 'what if' scenarios and highlights the profound impact of a single point of divergence. It underpins the central conflict of the story, forcing Tom to choose between two equally real, yet vastly different, versions of existence, and questions the notion of a single 'correct' future.

Quiz

10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.

  1. Question 1

    What year does the story begin in Tom Barren's reality?

    1. 1950
    2. 2016
    3. 2050
    4. 1985
    Show answer

    B. 2016 The story states that Tom Barren's 2016 is a techno-utopian paradise.

  2. Question 2

    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a feature of Tom's utopian 2016?

    1. Flying cars
    2. Moon bases
    3. Moving sidewalks
    4. Personal jetpacks
    Show answer

    D. Personal jetpacks The text mentions flying cars, moving sidewalks, and moon bases, but not personal jetpacks.

  3. Question 3

    What happens to Tom that causes him to make a rash decision?

    1. He loses his job.
    2. He gets into an accident.
    3. He fails to invent something.
    4. He is rejected by his soul mate.
    Show answer

    B. He gets into an accident. The book states that Tom is 'utterly blindsided by an accident of fate', leading to his decision.

  4. Question 4

    When Tom travels back in time, which reality does he end up in?

    1. The original 1950s.
    2. A different future timeline.
    3. Our 2016, the 'real world'.
    4. The past where punk rock existed.
    Show answer

    C. Our 2016, the 'real world'. The text explicitly states that Tom finds himself 'stranded in our 2016, what we think of as the real world'.

  5. Question 5

    How does Tom perceive our 2016 reality compared to his own?

    1. As a more advanced and exciting place.
    2. As a dystopian wasteland.
    3. As identical to his own.
    4. As boring but peaceful.
    Show answer

    B. As a dystopian wasteland. Tom's perspective is that our 'normal reality seems like a dystopian wasteland' in contrast to his utopian world.

  6. Question 6

    What core conflict does Tom face regarding his situation?

    1. Whether to stay in the past or return to the future.
    2. Whether to fix his timeline or embrace the new one.
    3. Whether to find his soul mate or focus on his career.
    4. Whether to reveal his time travel or keep it a secret.
    Show answer

    B. Whether to fix his timeline or embrace the new one. Tom must decide between 'fix[ing] the flow of history, bringing his utopian universe back into existence, or... forge a new life in our messy, unpredictable reality'.

  7. Question 7

    What is a significant difference between Tom's 2016 and our 2016, as stated in the synopsis?

    1. Avocados never go bad in Tom's 2016.
    2. Punk rock is the dominant music genre in our 2016.
    3. There are no moon bases in our 2016.
    4. Moving sidewalks are a common feature in our 2016.
    Show answer

    A. Avocados never go bad in Tom's 2016. The synopsis explicitly mentions that in Tom's 2016, 'avocados never go bad and punk rock never existed'. This implies avocados going bad is a feature of our reality.

  8. Question 8

    What is the primary theme that Tom's journey explores?

    1. The ethics of artificial intelligence.
    2. The consequences of unchecked technological advancement.
    3. The nature of reality and self-identity.
    4. The inevitability of destiny versus free will.
    Show answer

    C. The nature of reality and self-identity. Tom's quest involves deciding between two realities and figuring out 'who he really is', pointing towards themes of reality and self-identity.

  9. Question 9

    The phrase 'All Our Wrong Todays' suggests a potential irony or paradox within the narrative. What could this imply?

    1. That the utopian future was actually flawed.
    2. That the past was better than the present.
    3. That mistakes are only made in the future.
    4. That the present is always perfect.
    Show answer

    A. That the utopian future was actually flawed. The title suggests that even the 'perfect' future achieved by humanity might contain inherent flaws or 'wrongness', and that the 'wrong' aspects of today (our reality) might have their own value.

  10. Question 10

    Considering the premise, what kind of narrative structure might 'All Our Wrong Todays' employ?

    1. A linear, chronological account of one person's life.
    2. A non-linear narrative with potential paradoxes and alternate timelines.
    3. A simple 'fish out of water' comedy.
    4. A historical fiction focusing on the 1950s.
    Show answer

    B. A non-linear narrative with potential paradoxes and alternate timelines. The mention of time travel, changing the 'very fabric of the universe', and Tom existing in multiple timelines strongly suggests a non-linear narrative structure that deals with paradoxes and alternate realities.

All Our Wrong Todays FAQ

What is the premise of All Our Wrong Todays?

The book follows Tom Barren, who lives in a utopian 2016 imagined by 1950s futurists. He accidentally travels back to our 2016, which he perceives as a dystopia, and must decide whether to restore his timeline or embrace our reality.

What kind of world does Tom Barren live in at the start of the book?

Tom lives in a technologically advanced, utopian 2016 where humanity enjoys flying cars, moon bases, and perfectly preserved food. It's a world free from the perceived negatives of our own timeline, like punk rock.

How does Tom Barren end up in our 2016?

Tom travels to our 2016 through a time-travel mishap, an accident of fate that drastically alters his own life and the fabric of the universe.

How does Tom Barren perceive our 2016?

To Tom, our 2016 appears to be a dystopian wasteland compared to his own technologically advanced and idealistic reality.

What difficult decision does Tom Barren face?

Tom must decide whether to try and fix the timeline to restore his utopian universe or to build a new life in our messy, unpredictable reality.

What are some of the key themes explored in All Our Wrong Todays?

The novel explores themes of destiny versus free will, the nature of utopia and dystopia, the impact of choices on reality, and the search for identity.

Is All Our Wrong Todays a science fiction or fantasy novel?

It is primarily a science fiction novel, with elements of fantasy woven in due to its exploration of alternate realities and time travel.

What makes Tom Barren feel out of place in his own world?

Despite living in a seemingly perfect world, Tom struggles to find his place and feel fulfilled, hinting at a deeper dissatisfaction with his utopian existence.

Does the book offer a happy ending?

The ending is complex and depends on Tom's final decision about which timeline to embrace, offering a resolution that is both personal and universe-altering.

How does the book contrast the two different versions of 2016?

The book contrasts a technologically advanced, orderly, and perhaps sterile utopian 2016 with our own chaotic, imperfect, but potentially more vibrant and emotionally rich reality.

About the author

Elan Mastai

Elan Mastai is a Canadian author known for his work in fiction. His notable novel, "All Our Wrong Todays," explores themes of time travel and alternate realities. Mastai's writing often combines elements of science fiction with contemporary storytelling.

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