The Outcasts of Time Audiobook By Ian Mortimer cover art

The Outcasts of Time

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The Outcasts of Time

By: Ian Mortimer
Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
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December 1348. What if you had just six days to save your soul?

With the country in the grip of the Black Death, brothers John and William fear that they will shortly die and suffer in the afterlife. But as the end draws near, they are given an unexpected choice: either to go home and spend their last six days in their familiar world, or to search for salvation across the forthcoming centuries - living each one of their remaining days 99 years after the last.

John and William choose the future and find themselves in 1447, ignorant of almost everything going on around them. The year 1546 brings no more comfort, and 1645 challenges them in further unexpected ways. It is not just that technology is changing: things they have taken for granted all their lives prove to be short-lived.

As they find themselves in stranger and stranger times, the listener travels with them, seeing the world through their eyes as it shifts through disease, progress, enlightenment, and war. But their time is running out - can they do something to redeem themselves before the six days are up?

©2017 Ian Mortimer (P)2018 Tantor Fiction Historical Fiction Science Fiction Time Travel Thought-Provoking Middle Ages

Critic reviews

"It's an incredible tour de force, a vivid...evocation of an age that is long-gone yet has been brought to life again in vibrant and robust fashion thanks to Ian Mortimer's impeccable scholarship and pacy writing." (Alison Weir, New York Times best-selling author)
Historical Accuracy • Thought-provoking Concept • Excellent Narration • Emotional Journey • Unique Perspective
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I loved every moment of this book. I could have been walking through history right with them.

Fascinating

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I truly enjoyed this unique book. It was hard to turn off. Well done.

Interesting and Compelling

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Inspiring, comforting, intriguing… it seems like a story based on a contrivance, put that in itself becomes part of the theme. I’m still surprised both that I liked it so much and that it is so good. I thought it was just going to be a type of sci-fi, time-traveler historical romance novel, but that’s just the lyrics. The story becomes a song where the melody is most important, and most moving. Entertaining, beautiful, and meaningful. Thanks, Ian!

So much better than I expected!

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The reason for my 5 Star rating has more to the reason I listened to the book, than to the book itself.
I listened to it while on a 14 hour road trip.

This book kept me entertained the entire trip without being overly complex, while still providing an insight into life thru the ages.
In other words: if I got distracted, I was able to fill in the gaps without feeling lost. But there were times I listened to a section a second time because of how well the story was researched

Basically....not only was I entertained for my whole trip, but I came away with a better understanding of everyday life In history.

Very Enjoyable Listen

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This is an unexpectedly intelligent & uniquely detailed story. I enjoyed the variety of settings and especially the crescendo of religious inquiry. I felt personally attuned to the characters plight. At times I stopped listening because I was angry with his unfair treatment and the oppressive sadness, but was drawn to continue. I wish he could have saved the boy, but I believe that was a theme. So much is out of our control despite our best efforts & intentions. I came to love this character and even the stiff methodical narration. If you’re an avid listener you will enjoy this book too. If not, you may find it too unusual for your liking.

The characters & story grow on you.

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the book depicts the livings from different centries so vividly that I feel as if I actually travelled through time myself. the story is real touching. the ending is a bit too much of the teaching than giving out inspirations, but everything else is just fantastic.

vividly amazing

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I love a time travel story so this checks that box. I also happen to like history and contemplating the past, present, and future. So this book was a good listen for me. The plot is simple and it moves at kind of a slow pace with more attention paid to small details rather than complexity of character or plot development. It has a small amount of philosophical reverie thrown in.

Decent story

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What a unique story with spot on historical facts. Very well narrated. From the 14th to the 20th century in 6 days… and a whole lot of story within. Great ending as well!

Gracious history story

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Time travel and social commentary - gullivers travels but without the complex political commentary. The story of two brothers escaping the plague in 1300 England and their traveling each day 99 years. A joy to listen to and very thoughtful. Do not miss this one!

OUTSTANDING!

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I love time travel novels, so I was excited to read this one. The beginning is a bit hard - there's a fairly gross description of events in Europe when everyone is dying of the plague. Once you get past that, however, you get to see a day in the life of some Europeans set hundreds of year apart.

The crux of the story is two men traveling through time searching for a way to do a good deed - good enough to get entry in heaven. They experience various trials along the way and spend time talking to different religious people about their quest. Their story and quest was very compelling - extremely heartfelt and deeply passionate.

The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is that I thought it was leading to a perfect conclusion (there is no deed good enough to get into heaven - grace is a gift of God), but instead came to a different conclusion. It was still a good one, but it felt like an enormous missed opportunity. I still recommend it!

Fascinating and Deeply Thought-Provoking

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