Adventure in the past. (Timeline - Michael Crichton)

Member Name: jessyclown

Product:	Timeline - Michael Crichton
Date:	11/02/02 (421 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: easy reading, gripping

Disadvantages: a bit childish

I am not a fan of science fiction. When I see that a book has been written by the author of ‘Jurassic Park’ I would not bother even picking it up. However my husband came home from work the other day with ‘Timeline’ which had been lent to him by a colleague. His colleague had told him that I might enjoy it because of the physics in it. I still thought that I would not bother reading it.

When it was time for my bath the other evening I realised I had finished reading my last book so I had to find something else to read. With nothing better to read in the house I picked up 'Timeline'. I started to read it and had difficulty putting it down. The style of writing in the book is easy to read and although it is science fiction it is not overtly a science fiction book. I managed to read this book in two sittings. It is taking my husband a bit longer to read it, probably because I hijacked it for two evenings!

The story starts with an old man found in the desert in America who was obviously not well. He is then taken to hospital and died while there. The doctor noticed that there was something strange about the man. This man had been scrambled, some of his blood vessels did not join up properly. We then discover that this man had been connected to a top-secret scientific organisation.

Meanwhile this company is sponsoring the archaeological dig at a French monastery. The strange thing being that some of the scientists in America seem to know more about the plan of the monastery than the archaeologists have managed to dig up so far.

We soon realise that the scientists in America have been travelling to this monastery in the mediaeval times. As the dig continues they find a strange message from their professor in a room that has not been uncovered for many centuries. This puzzles the archaeologists. Soon after the discovery some of them are summoned to America to be sent back in time to rescue
the professor.

This is where the real adventure begins as these historians are sent back to mediaeval France where they encounter many dangers. The world they had entered was a dangerous place. “The year was 1357” …………………& #8230; ”But it was an incredibly violent world, where invading armies killed everyone, where women and children were routinely hacked to death, where pregnant women were eviscerated for sport”. As soon as our historians arrive in 1357 their guides are killed and so they are alone in a world they do not know or fully understand. With 36 hours to find and rescue the professor. To confound our heroes the people are speaking ancient languages that they have only ever seen written down not heard.

This story is full of intrigue and bitter hatred. There is an attack on the castle while our people are there. The heroes of this tale are regularly parted and escaping for their lives. It is an action packed adventure.

To help you understand some of the structures and positions of castles and monasteries there are some sketches, these sketches helped with the visualisation of buildings but made me feel as if this was a book for children rather than adults!

This is an easy to read book with a far-fetched basis. I enjoyed this book as a ‘bath book’ but not as a stimulating read. We as a family enjoy visiting castles so this book had a value in helping to put these visits in context. The science though written as if is plausible is not realistic.

If you want a light read and enjoy history and science then this book may be worth reading. If you want a book to discuss with others I am not sure this book is the one to read.

Summary: