The Map of Time

A Novel

By: Felix J. Palma

Narrated by: James Langton

Length: 20 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in Victorian London, with characters real and imagined, The Map of Time boasts a triple play of intertwined plots in which a skeptical H. G. Wells is called upon to investigate purported incidents of time travel and to save lives and literary classics, including Dracula and The Time Machine, from being wiped from existence. What happens if we change history? Félix J. Palma explores this question in The Map of Time, weaving a historical fantasy as imaginative as it is exciting—a story full of love and adventure that transports listeners to a haunting setting in Victorian London for their own taste of time travel.

©2011 Felix J. Palma (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Palma makes his U.S. debut with the brilliant first in a trilogy, an intriguing thriller that explores the ramifications of time travel in three intersecting narratives." ( Publishers Weekly)

Deeply disappointing

Well written, cleverly constructed, but no excitement, no real surprises. Not really a thriller or a mytery at all. Had to force myself to finish it...

Entertaining read

Nicely written. Many plot twists, some rather predictable but others not as much. I liked the fact he worked in so many historical character literary worlds. I will probably see what else the author has to offer.

Almost gave up a few times

The Map of Time has an interesting story that kept me entertained enough to continue listening. Unfortunately I wasn't a huge fan of the narrator. He's very slow. Once I figured out how speed up the audio it got better. Not a book a will be adding to my favorites list but not bad either.

Definitely not for the young 'uns

I have an eight-year-old who reads well beyond her age, so finding suitable books for her can be a bit of a challenge. Scott Westerfeld's "Leviathan" is one of her favourite series, so when I saw his endorsement on the cover of this book (and skimmed the synopsis on the back) I thought it might be one that she'd enjoy. To be safe, and thinking I might enjoy it too, I purchased the Audible version to have a listen before I bought her the physical book, and boy am I glad I did!

The opening chapter is a lengthy monologue about committing suicide, delivered in a way that falls just short of glorifying the action. The character in question comes across as very rational but completely resigned that this is their best option.

In the middle of the third chapter there's a rather vivid sex scene that I frankly wouldn't be comfortable with my daughter reading until she were at *least* twice her current age. Oh, and the sex scene involves a prostitute whose husband is sitting in the next room.

At this point I had obviously decided not to get the book for my precocious tween, but having never before quit an Audible title partway through, I kept listening for my own sake.

By the time (about an hour and a half in) that the narrative got into details of Jack the Ripper's particular acts of mutilation, I simply lost patience with the story myself, and the grandiloquent style of the audio performance was a major contributing factor to this.

Mea culpa for not reading the synopsis more carefully and for not recognizing from the cover that this isn't a YA title (which is where it had been shelved by the vendor).

Please take my three stars with a grain of salt, as I've listened to less than 10% of this title.

Might have been fine if written 150 years ago

While the author has tried to conjure the style of 19th century writers (long before the rule "show don't tell), there is so much "tell" here as to remove any suspense. Yes, there are some terrific ideas here - very creative - but they all get short changed in the plotting.

James Langton does his usual excellent job of narrating, surpassing what he has been given to elevate.

If you prefer your novels told in the style of an author from the 1800's, where the entire book is either all descriptive retelling of events already settled, or presented in a series of letters with no immediacy, then this may satisfy. Unfortunately the title sums it up, or perhaps gives a warning; would you rather venture to exotic destinations by looking at a map, or, immerse yourself in actual travel. This is the former.

And it's a shame - the themes here are terrific: the conundrum of time travel and changing history, love across time, class barriers shattered for love, giving up all for a noble cause. After a few of these doors open on nothing, you start to dread the next door when it appears. Or perhaps" become annoyed" is better description, knowing where it will lead.

By modern standards, Wells, Verne, Stoker et al and their works can seem stilted in their tell-to-show ratio, but there is a reason they are still in the pantheon of great and influential authors. I don't think this book however will stand the test of time.

Worth the time

If you enjoy good acting, then you will probably appreciate "The Map of Time" in audio. James Langton does and excellent job narrating this audiobook. For me, the actor depicting the characters can make all the difference, frequently elevating a book that might, otherwise, lack thrall. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a science fiction audiobook, this one might disappoint you a bit. It only contains one science fiction -- or, more accurately, fantasy -- element, introduced late in the story. Some credit for the popular success of this novel should probably go to the overlooked translator, Nick Caistor, since Félix Palma wrote this novel in Spanish. Without having read "The Map of Time" in its original language, I will say that it is either well-written or well-translated, or both. It features lyrical, sometimes almost poetic, descriptions of settings and time-travel conundrums. It also demonstrates a deeply-researched understanding of Victorian times and personages. With the exception of one self-indulgent episode of male sexual fantasy, I recommend "The Map of Time" to anyone who enjoys Victoriana, good acting, good writing, and the contemplation of time-travel paradoxes.

Great time travel book that keeps you guessing

Would you consider the audio edition of The Map of Time to be better than the print version?

Felix Palma did a great job of really capturing the "air" of Victoria London. His method of interweaving stories kept my interested and I was pleasantly surprised at how they wove into one another.
James Langton, did a fantastic job bringing this story to life. Where Palma captures London with words, Langton captures the Victorian feel with his tone and pacing.

The story itself is just plan fun. With Jake the Ripper, H.G. Wells, and a method of travel to the future, how can you go wrong.

The constant tease of is it real or not in the story, keeps you reading to find out.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of early science fiction stories. It's well worth you time and money.

Great story!

I could not remember what the publisher's summary said about this book, so I was going into it somewhat blind...which I love to do. It was a mystery and a surprise - very nice ones at that. I found part one to be the weakest of the three parts, but all were fantastic and by the time part three came around I was looking for ways to continue listening. Narration was excellent as well.

A fun book

If you could sum up The Map of Time in three words, what would they be?

This was a fun listen with an interesting story. Just when you think you know what's going on, you are surprised.

Tedious

"Tedious" is all I can think of to describe this book, as it was eternally long, and I felt like the story was going in circles. I've seen the hardcover copy of this and it's huge, so I should've stayed away when I saw that the audio was 20 hours long. So disappointed, and I am not remorseful that I did not finish the book.