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)

4 Stars

I'm a fan of Cards stories, and this was an early favorite. It was nice to have an unabridged version with good narration. I had a disconnect with one narrator but it was fine.

Another great on from OSC

This was a great listen. OSC skilfully blends both an interesting historical tale, with a fascinating future vision. Definitely recommend.

One of my favourite books

Listening to this audiobook was approximately the 6th time I have read Pastwatch (and it was great to finally hear how some of the names were intended to be pronounced!). I just love this book so much. I hate Orson Scott Card as a person - he is virulently homophobic and puts his money where his hate is - but the book is filled with love and acceptance and kindness. It's also an actual original story and it involves history and time travel and there is a special in my heart for time travel books.

Honestly, I can't recommend that anyone buy this book because that will just give Card more money to be evil with, but this book was included in my audible membership, so if you have the membership, I highly recommend this story.

A magnificent and imaginative alternative history

Pastwatch by Orson Scott card is undoubtedly one of the best science fiction novels I have ever read. Prescient in its coverage of today’s climate disaster it makes one wish desperately for the past watch technology for a resolution to the multitude of issues we face today in 2021. Besides those sociological values the book is a fascinating character study of the personalities card created in this saga. So be prepared to be engaged emotionally and Intellectually for a great read.

Outstanding

This is a jewel of a book, Card does not disappoint. I don't do it often, but this is one that I'll read again and treasure again.

Great book!

Can’t wait for the planned sequels to be written and released, hope they happen soon.

Pastwatch - an enthralling work of science fiction.

I really enjoyed this work of science fiction. To those disappointed by problems of historical accuracy- it’s science fiction!

It was long and involved and thought provoking science fiction. I read it years ago and enjoyed it. I listened to it now and heard it differently.
Both experiences were very worth while.

This was amazing

Card is such an amazing writer. How does he come up with stuff like this? It’s so smart. I’m so glad this was one of the plus catalogue books. This and treason have been so amazing. Kept me interested all the way through.

Entertaining, engaging and a great story

I loved this book. It was well written and well narrated. The best part was the amazing story. So much history and plot, so easy to follow it sucks you in and you dont want to stop listening. It also has many thought provoking aspects. It's very timely for today's world, and I think will be for a long time to come.

One of the few books I've enjoyed twice

There are very few books I have read that I'll read a second time. This is one of them. When I recommend audiobooks for people, I recommend this book as the first to listen to. Now only if my second favorite book was available in audiobook form (The Proteus Operation by James P. Hogan).