Pastwatch

The Redemption of Christopher Columbus

By: Orson Scott Card

Narrated by: Scott Brick, Christopher Cazenove, Gabrielle de Cuir, Arte Johnson, Moira Quirk, Stefan Rudnicki, Orson Scott Card

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

In a not-too-distant future that is not quite ours, there has been a major scientific breakthrough. It is a way to open windows into the past, permitting historical researchers to view, but not participate, in the events of the past.

In one of the most powerful and thought-provoking novels of his remarkable career, Orson Scott Card interweaves a compelling portrait of Christopher Columbus with the story of a future scientist who believes she can alter human history from a tragedy of bloodshed and brutality to a world filled with hope and healing.

©1996 Orson Scott Card (P)2005 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A bold and compassionate alternative history filled with believable historical and fictional characters." ( Library Journal)

Strong Speculative Fiction

Orson Scott Card delivers again with this wonderful story. Pastwatch employs a characteristic trope about historical fiction: what could we discover if we could only observe, and how would we change it if given the opportunity?

detailed, engaging, and fascinating

Would you consider the audio edition of Pastwatch to be better than the print version?

Both are equal - although at this point in my life audiobooks are all I have time for so I'm very grateful they are available.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the mix of science and a reimagined history

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This audiobook is read by a number of different voice actors, each of them talented and with a voice quality that is pleasant to listen to. There are times when the audio quality jumps from high quality to lesser as transitions are made between chapters. It is not enough to lessen the quality of the story by any means, it is just enough to cause me to notice it for a moment.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The same as the title of the book, I'm sure.

Any additional comments?

I am a sometimes fan of Orson Scott Card. It seems I either love or really dislike his work from book to book. This is one of my all time favorites (Enchantment being the another.) I had read it years ago and just finished listening to it for the first time. The story is engaging and very thought provoking, the voicings pleasant to listen to.

It is just barely not G rated - Card can't seem to write without at least mentioning penises at some point. In this book at least it is not in a sexual way and I would feel comfortable with my children aged 13 and up reading or listening to the book, especially as a very thought provoking conversation catalyst.

A great story that inspires hope for humanity..

Very entertaining while speculating if not revealing aspects of history we don't often ponder... leaves one wishing.."if only",
other than the utterly frightening prospect of the cult of Catholicism...preferable to human sacrifice yes... though still insane.

Card supasses himseslf

Orson Scott Card is incapable of writing a bad book, and Stefan Rudnicki is incapable of rendering a bad naaration. Pastwatch is a masterpiece even by their lofty standards.
The historical research alone which went into the writing of the book is breathtaking.
Card has crafted one of the most compelling and brilliant plots I have ever read.
Don't start listening at night if you expect to get to work the next day.

Amazing

One of my favorites from OSC. I have read it several times, but, as always, the audible version allows emphasis on different details. The narration is good, and switching from male to female voices makes it easy to keep track of the characters. Very interesting time-travel SF concepts. It is hard to describe the plot without giving spoilers. It is amazing, though, and a book you will be thinking about even when you are not reading it.

love the book

original idea and a good narrative, loved the pace and chericters & there voices

Great listen!

Lots of twists and turns , good historical plot,
Believable characters, intriguing dialogue, concepts I’ve never heard before in 130 audiobooks so far. Quite a ride for my brain!

Excellent story and performances

I had read the print version of this book a few years ago, and love it in both versions. It is a very thought-provoking story, and the narrators (all of them) do it justice.

Moving

At times I was near tears imagining a world as described.

overall good, some uneven narration.

overall very good.

the narration for the part of Hunaphu was occasionally uneven and not the same level of quality as the rest of the story.