Who Would Like This Book:
History buffs and fans of time travel with a twist - this one's for you! "The Outcasts of Time" offers a vividly detailed journey through English history, as two brothers leap forward 99 years each day, experiencing firsthand the social changes and technological marvels of the ages. Mortimer's background as a historian really shines in the immersive snapshots of daily life across six centuries. If you enjoy stories where the setting is almost a character and you're curious how ordinary people might react to extraordinary change, you'll find plenty to sink your teeth into here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers looking for fast-paced adventure, strong plot twists, or deep character development may find this book a bit slow or episodic. The heavy focus on historical detail, everyday minutiae, and frequent philosophical or religious musings can overwhelm readers hoping for a more traditional time travel or sci-fi narrative. Some also found issues with the audiobook narration, as well as anachronisms and inconsistencies. If you're expecting a seamless blend of plot and character or are sensitive to outdated attitudes (especially regarding women), you might be left unsatisfied.
About:
The book follows the journey of John and his brother as they travel through time, starting from a plague-ridden 14th century England. Given the choice to either die slowly in agony or wake up 99 years later each day, they opt to journey forward in time. Each day brings new experiences and challenges as they witness changes in technology, lifestyle, and faith across different centuries. The novel explores themes of human nature, morality, and the impact of historical events on individuals, all through the lens of time travel.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of disease (Black Death), religious elements, and ethical/moral questions.
From The Publisher:
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 ninety-nine 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 reader 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?
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1 comment(s)
It's a beautiful and compelling story. A very interesting concept with time traveling. I truly enjoyed it and feelt a little sad that I finished it so fast. Perhaps I should listen to the story one day and see if I can get more out of it, but I really enjoyed reading it. Was happy to see the book app I use have multiple books by the author for me to sink my teeth into, oh what a joyful time!
What can you read after
The Outcasts of Time?
About the Author:
Dr. Ian Mortimer has been described by the London Times as "the most remarkable medieval historian of our time." He is best known as the author of The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England, which was a London Sunday Times bestseller in 2010. Its follow-up, The Time Traveller's Guide to Elizabethan England, was a London Sunday Times bestseller in 2012. He was awarded the Alexander Prize by the Royal Historical Society for his work on the social history of medicine. Ian is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Please visit his website at www.ianmortimer.com.
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