Timeline

A Novel

By: Michael Crichton

Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd

Length: 15 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival—six hundred years ago. . . .

©1999 by Michael Crichton (P)1999 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"COMPULSIVE READING . . . BRILLIANTLY IMAGINED."--Los Angeles Times

"EXCITING . . . CLASSIC ADVENTURE . . . [A] SWASHBUCKLING NOVEL . . . CRICHTON DELIVERS."--USA Today

"MORE SCREAMS PER PAGE . . . THAN JURASSIC PARK AND THE LOST WORLD COMBINED. . . . THE PACE WILL LEAVE MANY BREATHLESSLY GRASPING FOR OXYGEN MASKS."--San Diego Union-Tribune

The best

One of the best of Crichton. Well done story. Scary to think this is almost possible.

I like it

This is an old recording, but I like it. The reader's performance is different than those of Scott Brick in the other Crichton recordings. It is professional and I'm glad to be able to listen to Timeline, one of my favorite Crichton books. Another reviewer mentioned that the recording needs to be edited. There are odd breaks of silence that are several seconds long, I assume between sections. It would be easy to stop listen because it sounds like there is something wrong or the recording is over. If you want to hear the book then be patient and you will get to hear it, the entire book is there and it is worth it.

Great story!

Loved the book. One minor (very minor) complaint…the audio version seemed to include some long pauses between chapters…enough to make me wonder if the app had frozen up….but then the story would resume….so in spite of the minor technical glitches, this was an awesome book. Would highly recommend.

Like future technology stories? - this is for you!

I'm a technology junkie, but even other non-techie audible listeners whom I am acquainted; say this is one of the best novels they've heard. The narrator, John Bedford Lloyd did a great job of defining the voices of the characters in medieval time.

Really Good Plot and Premise

Timeline was a really cool combination of a sci fi thriller and a historical fiction novel. It combined Quantum Physics, Time travel, and Medieval Life very well. Though many of the plot twists were expected, Crichton is very good at keeping you interested in the story. The Characterization was not the best I have read. The only person that really changes in the story was Chris, who starts out as a Sissy and ends up Not-As-Sissyish. The other Characters are pretty flat. I think the most distasteful aspect of the book was the language. Though it was relegated to only a few characters, for those few characters it is fairly pervasive. Overall a good, at times education, and very entertaining listen.

Awesome!

This was one of the best audio books I have listened to in the past six years. Normally, I detest most science fiction books because they are so unbelieveable. Timeline, however, with its quantum physics, was both intriguing and engaging. From the opening scenes with the sudden appearance of an elderly man in the middle of the desert, to college students, on an archeological dig in France, who suddenly discover a note from their professor on a 600 year old document - the story is just amazing. If you love history, if you love archeology, if you like believeable science fiction, you will LOVE this book! I first rented it, then bought it, then bought the book; I have listened to it three times! The reader is incredible also; he make the story come alive. This was the first Crighton book I ever read/heard. Because this one was so great I also listened to Airframe and Prey, which I also recommend.

A good story although a bit predictable

This was a fun little story. I was hoping it would not be so sappy. There was a lot of hope for this story to really reach out. But it was entertaining.

Good book but Crichton has written better

Although I like the latter half of Timeline, it took a heck of a long time to get there. The first half of the book was character building mainly to support the 2nd half where each of the character's talents were put to use. The story was predictable. I've read better books by the author. However, the explanation on quantum foam was very interesting.

Narrator was alright, but the editing was terrible

Is there anything you would change about this book?

whoever edited the book needs help. there were very long pauses between chapters. so long, that you felt you had accidentally stopped the recording. also, there were pauses at odd times to give you the sense that the narrator had stopped for a time, then restarted. i believe i would have enjoyed this more with better editing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Timeline?

sorry. the editing garbage. thats how bad it was.

Did John Bedford Lloyd do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

yes. you knew who was speaking at all times.

Was Timeline worth the listening time?

i am torn on this answer. the story was alright, the narrator did alright. i just cannot get over the editing. i sound like a broken record i know, but it was that bad. so if you dont mind crappy editing, then yes, it is worth it.

Any additional comments?

maybe audible could re-edit or re-record it?

Mediocre Crichton

Timeline is a decent book with a fun premise.

The characters are shallowly drawn, but I'm not sure it matters very much; the book doesn't come across as a pompous attempt to change the world (I'm looking at you, State of Fear), but it's a fun adventure story.

The narrator does a good job, and all in all, it's well worth the listen.