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Timeline

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'Timeline' by Michael Crichton is a science fiction novel that combines time travel with a thrilling adventure set in medieval times. The plot follows a group of archeologists who use modern technology and quantum mechanics to travel to the past, specifically the late Middle Ages in France. As they try to reconstruct an archeological site from that period, things go awry, leading to a dangerous and suspenseful journey where survival becomes uncertain. Crichton's writing style is described as engaging, with a good balance between education and entertainment, blending elements of science fiction, historical fiction, and suspense seamlessly throughout the narrative.

Characters:

Characterization is typically shallow, with many behaving as archetypes rather than fully realized individuals.

Writing/Prose:

The prose tends to prioritize scientific explanation over engaging storytelling, resulting in a formulaic and at times clunky narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features historians venturing into the past to rescue a colleague, engaging with the challenges of time travel and historical realities.

Setting:

The setting oscillates between modern America and the tumultuous landscape of medieval France, illustrating both eras vividly.

Pacing:

The narrative pacing fluctuates, initially bogged down by exposition before accelerating into action during the medieval segments.
Dan Baker winced as his new Mercedes S500 sedan bounced down the dirt road, heading deeper into the Navajo reservation in northern Arizona. Around them, the landscape was increasingly desolate: distan...

Notes:

The novel is about time travel, but it introduces the concept of parallel universes rather than traditional time travel.
Time travel in 'Timeline' is achieved by converting humans into binary code and sending them through a wormhole to a similar universe.
The authors take on the past is influenced by modern views which portray the medieval period as dynamic rather than static.
The story features a group of history students who travel back to 14th century France to rescue their professor.
One of the main antagonists is a corporate scientist funding the research for his own gain, reflecting Crichton's recurring themes of corporate greed and ethical conflicts.
The characters must adapt to a brutal medieval society, illustrating the extreme contrast between modern and medieval life.
The writing includes technical explanations of quantum mechanics, which some readers found overly complex, but others appreciated for adding realism.
There was a film adaptation of 'Timeline' that received negative reviews and did not do justice to the book, causing Crichton to be more cautious about adaptations in the future.
Historical inaccuracy is noted in the portrayal of medieval life; some critics argue it glosses over the realities of the time.
Crichton's bibliography at the end showcases the extensive research done for the novel, enhancing its credibility despite the fictional premise.

From The Publisher:

In an Arizona desert a man wanders in a daze, speaking words that make no sense. Within twenty-four hours he is dead, his body swiftly cremated by his only known associates. Halfway around the world archaeologists make a shocking discovery at a medieval site. Suddenly they are swept off to the headquarters of a secretive multinational corporation that has developed an astounding technology. Now this group is about to get a chance not to study the past but to enter it. And with history opened to the present, the dead awakened to the living, these men and women will soon find themselves fighting for their very survival-six hundred years ago. . . .

Ratings (71)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (33)
Liked It (16)
It Was OK (12)
Did Not Like (5)

Reader Stats (132):

Read It (70)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (38)
Did Not Finish (4)
Not Interested (17)

About the Author:

Michael Crichton was a writer, director, and producer, best known as the author of Jurassic Park and the creator of ER. One of the most recognizable names in literature and entertainment, Crichton sold more than 200 million copies of his books, which have been translated into 40 languages and…

 
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