The Many-Colored Land

Volume 1 of the Saga of Pliocene Exile

By: Julian May

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

This is a spellbinding tale woven of equal parts epic and myth - with a liberal dash of hard science fiction.

When a one-way time tunnel to Earth’s distant past, specifically six million B.C., was discovered by folks on the Galactic Milieu, every misfit for light-years around hurried to pass through it. Each sought his own brand of happiness. But none could have guessed what awaited them. Not even in a million years.

In the early 22nd century, many humans are being born with psychic powers and are linked in a single galactic mind. Those without these psychic powers - the misfits, undesirables, criminals, and radicals - have a choice: mental reprogramming or exile. Exile, voluntary or otherwise, takes them back six million years, to a time between the extinction of dinosaurs and the rise of Homo sapiens, and to a time of exotic surprises and unknown dangers.

Julian May lives in Washington state and has been writing science fiction and fantasy for more than 30 years.

©1981 Julian May (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“ The Many-Colored Land…takes readers on an amazing journey from the distant future to the distant past, using unexpected routes all along the way…A tremendously original premise; fast-paced storytelling that defies predictability; and a sympathetic and well-rendered cast of characters.” (SFReviews.net)

“The Many-Colored Land is the first volume of one of the most impressive science fiction series I have read.” (Reviewers-choice.com)

Great story, bring on the Sequels!

What made the experience of listening to The Many-Colored Land the most enjoyable?

Great story, bring on the Sequels!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Many-Colored Land?

Great story, bring on the Sequels!

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

Great story, bring on the Sequels!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Great story, bring on the Sequels!

My Most Favorite Trilogy Ever!

I discovered Julian May's wonderful Pliocene world years ago, when I was a young teenager. I was immediately captivated by the rich characters and the wild, exotic landscape. Throw in an other-world race, and I was completely hooked!

I lost count of how many times I read this series, and was delighted to discover someone could read it to me! My only regret? Oh please, Audible, bring us the remaining books! I want to experience again the entire thrilling, amazing story!

great book, great author, great narration

I first read the series ages ago, in the 80s, saw the audio book, add had to grab it, great reading. I hope the rest of the series and the next get made into audio books, I well definitely but then too.

It's a 3.5, but that's not really fair...

The book is read well by Bernadette Dunne, it's the story that drags a bit. This is like Kill Bill Volume I and II. All of the story is in one, and all of the action is in the other. I would have preferred to see one volume with part one and part two integrated. That being said, I'm really waiting for part 2! The Nonborn King was a great book, but you need the backstory in this book to really enjoy it.

Love the book

I have loved this series for a long time, and was excited to be able to listen to it as an audio book.
I think it would of been much harder to get into if I hadn't already known the story, there's a lot of detail.
I enjoyed it a lot, though had a couple of issues with the narration. As mentioned by another reviewer, the constant mistake of metapsychic instead of metaphysic seemed amateurish, and the forced 'crackles' in the voice of older characters downright annoying. The natural voice of narrator would of been better.
I'm really hoping the other books get turned into audio books, and even with the niggles, thoroughly enjoyed listening.