ISBN: 0-451-45675-0 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
A competently told adventure, full of struggle and ingenuity, light on suspense and originality, and a bit too long.
Reviewed by David on June 13, 1998
Genre: Science Fiction (Time Travel, Alternate Reality, Historical, Bootstrapping Civilization)
Synopsis: As a result of mysterious (and unexplained) phenomenon, the island of Nantucket along with its inhabitants and tourists is transported to 1250 BCE. The book describes the subsequent life of the colonists trying to survive and recreate civilization, and their impact on the world's bronze and early iron-age societies.
Full Review: This is a variation of a common science fiction tale, some of the most famous examples being Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, L. Sprague de Camp's Lest Darkness Fall and Piper's Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen.
As in these earlier examples of the sub-genre, a modern character (in this case, a whole island) is transported to the far past. The cause of the time travel is never explained: it is unimportant to the story. Perhaps this may be elaborated in the future sequels (if any).
The first order is survival: limited or non-existent supply of modern medicine, no food supply. The pseudo-colonists react differently to the shocking event and the total isolation from the rest of the society, their families and friends on the mainland. Some are happy with the new challenge, some turn suicidal or fanatical in their reactions. There is an obligatory group of bleeding-heart liberals who fear cultural contamination of the primitive societies existing three thousand years ago.
Much of the book is the struggle to regain control and build a self-sustaining society. With increased comfort, the islanders start to interact with the Ancient Amerinds and the Europeans. There is a group of super-ambitious types who see an opportunity for an almost endless power and luxury, and the struggle of the good guys against the empire builders takes much of the book.
There is some romantic sub-plots, including an unconventional romance between a "local" and one of the islanders.
The pre-historic British people, who become allies, are painted too idealistically. Conversely, the villains, both 20-th century and their allies the conquering tribes are almost solidly black, and are sexist, unhygienic and deviants, to boot.
Stirling, as would be expected from his previous books, has a number of bloody fights and deadly battles. There is a limited amount or subtlety in the plot. Some of the characters are interesting, but they all have pretty-much predefined roles to play. One has the feeling that this novel is intended more to set up a world to play in than to advance the story. While not clearly indicated, there is clearly room for a sequel (or 5), perhaps even a sharecropping world to rent to other authors.
All in all, this is an enjoyable but unremarkable book.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 5; Style: 5; World-building: 6; Originality: 4;
Charles Scribner's Sons, March 1998, Mass-market, 608 pages
ISBN: 0-451-45675-0 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com