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)

Thanks Uncle Orson

I read this book originally when I was in Afghanistan in 2003. I remember that I got a brand new copy out of a sack of books that some good citizen sent over as a care package. What a treat. I remember at the time that I was rereading old John Grisham novels; audiobooks were something that I was barely into at the time, In Germany I had bought some Left Behind audiobooks at the PX, that's probably what really got me hooked, but I had long since listened to those and this book was fresh material. Anywho, I couldn't put this book down once I got into it back then, and likewise I couldn't stop listening to this audiobook once I got into it recently. I had forgotten some things about the book in the past five years. It's amazing to go back and listen to books that you've read and pick up on things you'd missed.

The book is a really great concept and it kind of makes you think real hard about the influences that shape history, and how a handful of motivated people really push things in the world, and between my two readings it made me think of how my impressions have been influenced by recent history and how I have changed in the past five years. Only great books have that power.

Also I would like to thank Orson Scott Card for his new Sci-Fi review page on audible.com. I had wondered out loud in a previous review what Mr. Card thought of audible.com. I suppose that he has given his endorsement and this is good. For me audible is the most valuable service on the internet aside from iTunes. I would never have discovered a book like Star Born without his suggestion, and right now I have Star Born and Star Dance in my shopping cart. Time to head off to the stars. Thanks again.

OSC Good one

I know i've said he's let me down before but i'm a sucker for a good, moderately reasonable time travel tale. This one is very interesting and actually hits on a smart moral point. Intention versus results.I kinda dug it. Especially nice was the more conciliatory look at the Spanish conquests as religiously driven from the point of view of they did think it was a positive move despite the greed, violence and intolerance... interesting.

Ponder this

This is an idea book, not a character book. Thoughtful and well-researched reflection on history. There is morality in it as well as clever and compassionate characters that make the book enjoyable. There's a plethora of characters and multiple jumps between the 22nd and 15th century that make it sometimes hard to follow. A ponderable book that's enjoyable. If you could change one moment in history to influence the current world, which would you choose? Would you do it?

Great Read

This book like all other booksd by card has one difficulty. He insists on choosing names for his characters which are very confusing and hard to follow until 15% into the book. Once you get past that and remember who everyone is and the names of the places, The book is 5 stars. I would read it again I liked it so much. PLEASE MR. CARD, name things a little simpler, just a little, lol.

one of the best ever

an incredible combination of alternate history, time travel and prescient reckoning with the devastation of the planet. beautiful prose, soulful relationships and important insights about the genocide of the Americas. too many of the aspects of the future Card imagined are eerily similar to the pandemic-laden, doomed environment we live in today. dozens of lessons that could make a difference if we take them to heart. the most important? history is not inevitable. the slightest push on a different domino would’ve changed everything we know

Better late than never.

Wow!!! Such an excellente story line. I have ways been a fan of OSC for the Ender's series... who knew I would love this book just as much. As for the Narrators, 👍👍. I am eager to listen to other stories too. This little gem of a book waited patiently for me to find it.

A Great, Free Audible Find!

A different story than Ender’s Game, more similar to its sequels Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind. The story was surprising and inspiring. I was satisfied when I reached book’s end.

Utterly Brilliant

My wife and her brother had been telling me to read this book for a couple of years, but it wasn't on audio and I have no time for dead trees.

As both a time travel fanatic and a devotee of alternate histories, I thought this book was extremely well done. The level of craft that went into not just developing the details, but telling the story in a coherent and compelling way, is highly admirable.

Also, it is really interesting to see how Christianity fits into the plot. I'm a Pagan, but I really like how it was used here and don't see how the story could have been done without it.

Exciting story

The writrer did an eloquent job crafting a new amd amazing history. Thought provoking and fun.

Derivative?

I read a science-fiction story decades ago in which Columbus went native and built up a civilization and fleet that came back and challenged the Europeans. But I can’t find it. Google is not omniscient, especially about the past. Regardless, I enjoy Card’s allegories. This one is especially painful at the onset, in which there is discussion of how much of our current lives we would be willing to sacrifice so as to prevent slavery from ever having occurred. You might say anything, but one of the alternatives is nonexistence. Knowing that Card is a Mormon adds to the pleasure. The ways that the about-to-be snuffed out history tries to leave records for its replacement, is just too suggestive of Joseph Smith’s tablets. Here, unlike in the Ender series, Card offers a very satisfying recitation of post – dénouement events.