The Outcasts of Time by Ian Mortimer

Note:  If you are reading this review as a member of the email list, please click on the title to read the entire review.  Thank you!!

Ok, first of all, how ironic that the author's name is MORTIMER, when this book is about death???

(ed: cuz it's a pseudonym.  Duh, Rawles. Cute, Ian.)

Or, is it really?  Is it about LIFE??

John and William are brothers trying to survive the Black Plague in 1348 Exeter.  When it becomes obvious that they will not survive, a voice gives them an option:  Stay in 1348 to return home and infect their families, or live the next 6 days free of the disease, but spending one day in the future, jumping 99 years each time.  Can they find a way to save their souls in 6 days in 5 different centuries?  John is very religious and desperate to do a good deed, but they seem to only find trouble wherever/whenever they appear.

I found the main theme here to be this:  in a sweeping review of history, mankind gets closer to each other in transportation, communication and advanced medicine/law, but what happens to relationships and true living?  In almost all the centuries, Exeter is at war.  It seems never ending.  John, the narrator, is overwhelmed by changes in history and to his beloved cathedral, for which he was a sculptor in his time.  Many commentaries about society in each century, about the behaviour of people towards each other, and of course some women's lib thrown in, become the theme of this book at least to me.  And some dang good points are made by the author about societal "growth," religion and how people use it, and about good vs evil.

The vehicle for these points becomes a bit simple, but don't let that stop you.  This is not a deeply written book prose-wise; poor John really stumble with the change in language!  But the message is a thought provoking one indeed. 

What are we doing here?  Can we save ourselves through a good deed if that good deed is done only to save ourselves?  Is the road to hell paved with good intentions?  Or are there lessons on that road that can open the gates of heaven?  And what the heck are those crosses in the sky??  ;-)

Fun for history buffs, complete fantasy - but really a what if scenario, with several what if questions at stake.  I would say this book is probably not for everyone.  Quick read and nothing award winning, but fun and definitely thought provoking!