Michael J. Fox Reveals His Favorite Time Travel Novel

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Michael J. Fox, famous for his role in Back to the Future, is a passionate reader when he’s not acting. In a recent interview with The New York Times, he shared his love of books, ranging from history to detective stories. He especially enjoys time-travel novels, and one of his favorites is Time and Again by Jack Finney, which tells the story of an artist who travels from 1970s New York to 1882 as part of a secret government experiment.

“The low-tech Dakota-building-as-time-machine device is particularly genius,” he added.

The star of Family Ties, 64, has found it increasingly hard to hold physical books due to his Parkinson’s disease. He’s described it as ranging from challenging to impossible, so he now mostly listens to audiobooks.

I still listen to audiobooks the same way as always: I have two going at once. One is usually nonfiction – things like political analysis, history, or nature – and the other is a novel, often historical fiction, classics, thrillers, mysteries, or satire. I prefer listening to nonfiction at night because it’s easier to pick up where I left off. I associate fiction with relaxing times – like being on vacation, traveling, or just finding a few free moments during the day.

Fox explained that what he appreciates about Finney’s writing—and many other authors’ work—is the ability to distinguish between a writer who appeals to your intellect and one who aims to move your feelings.

I can always sense it,” he said. “When someone tries to connect with my thoughts, they often miss the mark, leaving me confused. But an author who tries to connect with my emotions usually succeeds. Emotional stories have a way of surprising you and making you feel things you didn’t expect.

‘Back to the Future’s Message Is Still Important in 2025


Universal Pictures

Released in 1985, Back to the Future quickly became a beloved film. It grew into a three-movie series and, at its peak, sparked a variety of spin-offs, including comic books, a cartoon show, and video games. Universal Studios Hollywood even created a Back to the Future ride, which was popular from the early 1990s until it was replaced by The Simpsons Ride around 2007.

Even though the series celebrated its 40th anniversary, director Ridley Scott recently explained to Empire magazine that the ideas explored in the first movie still resonate today.

It feels like we’re living in a time where bullying is everywhere, not just from individuals, but also from life’s challenges. This film features a character, Biff, who embodies that bullying behavior, but the idea extends to things like the passage of time, and even personal struggles like my experience with Parkinson’s disease. Ultimately, it’s about finding the strength to face these ‘bullies’ with courage and resilience. I believe that’s why this movie resonates with so many people – it touches on feelings and experiences they might not even realize they share.

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2025-12-17 20:48