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)

I hated it!

I finished it, but wondered why at times I kept forcing myself to finish it. I have NEVER had a book do this to me! If I was literally reading it, I would've walked away from it. Audible books are different somehow for me though. Very seldom do I have to force myself to finish a book. There were times the story was good I wanted more of it. Then it started to flipping ramble and I wanted to pound my head into a wall. It had some cool intertwining of story lines but in the end I should've saved my money.

Not What I Expected

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I found the characters not very interesting,the story tedious and the plot very slow moving, so much so that I gave up on it after part I. Perhaps fans of H.G. Wells would find it more interesting.

Has The Map of Time turned you off from other books in this genre?

I would not be interested in other books by this author. I found every little nuance in the book seemed to drag on and I felt it was overwritten.

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

The reader did a nice job, but because I did not enjoy the story or the overly dramatic plot, I couldn't appreciate the reader's efforts to the fullest.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I was facinated with the books cover and concept; however, it was overlong and a tedious read for me.

Any additional comments?

I had seen many favorable reviews so I'm sure there are fans for this genre. I had expected a mystery fantasy and was disappointed because I felt the story and plot was very slow moving. I didn't finish part I, and abandoned it.

Enchanting, clever, imperfect

Any additional comments?

James Langton's performance of Felix Palma's 'The Map of Time' is brilliant. He uniquely and believably voices each character (with the exception of one paragraph of Henry James's dialogue) and his personification of the witty, amused narrator charms and entertains.

The intricate plot of the story is revealed by an imaginative, enjoyable, insightful and occasionally moving, portrait of 19th century London.. I was disappointed by Palma's resolution of the time-travel paradox, but others may find it satisfying and logical.

All in all, 'The Map of Time' is an excellent listen, well-produced and performed. I enjoyed my hours within its world.

Move Away from this Book !!!

I am a total sy-fy geek and the concept of time travel was right up my alley. The story just went off on many tangent that were so very uninteresting. I lost interest early on but kept listening hoping it would get better. I invested about 8 hours and then just couldn't take it any more.

Save your credits/money and read Stephen King's 11-22-63. It uses time travel, history and great writing!!

Give this one a pass

I can't get back the hours I wasted listening, thinking it just had to get better, but I can get back the credit I wasted on this.

Dark, Dreary and Dumb

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good mystery, time travel? Yes please, set in Victorian England? Sounds intriguing. This however was a complete waste. The Moody, overly dramatic prose was like nails on a chalkboard. And the narrator was actually painfully to listen too. I didn’t last an hour. I can’t even imagine WILLINGLY listening for 20. Move on, move on. Don’t waste your time.

Langton couldn't have done a better job narrating

THE MAP OF TIME: A Novel is a true work of penned art. The way Félix J. Palma seamlessly weaves the multiple stories, timelines and characters together is absolutely impressive.

And although Palma had me under his spell from start to finish with his clever composition of famous writers like H.G. Wells, Henry James and Bram Stoker as well as appearances by iconic personalities Jack the Ripper and Joseph Merrick (the Elephant Man); it was the ‘unknown’ cast that stole my heart. In particular, I was completely captivated my by society girl, Claire Haggerty and small time thug, Tom Blunt’s unconventional love story. The storyline of the unlikely pair was both hilarious and over the top while, oddly enough, wholly romantic in its own way.

In my opinion, Palma’s execution, of what could easily have turned into a mess of names, places and dates, is flawlessly told and fully entertaining. THE MAP OF TIME: A Novel is one of those reads that continues to occupy your mind long after the last page has been read and a solid add to my “favorites” shelf.

Get on with it

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I am certain that a lot of people interested in the time period and some of its interesting writers may find this a good book and has the patience to listen.

Would you ever listen to anything by Felix J. Palma again?

I highly doubt it his writing style is not my cup of tea.

What does James Langton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

James has a good voice and is pleasant to listen to. I doubt I would have gotten past the first chapter if I was reading it.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Map of Time?

In the book Wells claims another person's book is over written and that describes this book. It could have been an interesting book but it plods on and on. So just about every scene could use some editing.

Any additional comments?

The second part was probably the best. I found myself not caring about the main character in part 1. Part 3 is really the story described in the description on this page.

Amazing

my favorite book now on audio. love this book so much. a must read. NOW

Wonderful twists and turns

I absolutely devoured this audiobook, thoroughly enjoying the many twists and turns the author took, the revelations he produced and the lively characters. History and literature buffs alike will enjoy this book, I am quite sure. It's a great adventure and one that will keep you listening for hours on end.