Pastwatch

Harlan Ellison always maintains he writes "speculative fiction," not science fiction or fantasy. Certainly his term of choice applies to Orson Scott Card's effort in this volume. In our generation the undeification of Christopher Columbus has come a long way and he has become a whipping boy for a lot of intellectual efforts. Card places his character at the center of one of the most provocative "what if" books I have ever read.

I am using "Pastwatch" in my Science Fiction class this fall as an example of the altnerative history sub-genre, but I would argue this book would be useful in an actual history class as well. Not because it is "true" in any meaningful way, but because it raises questions useful to students of the past. THe question of Columbus as "hero" or "devil" is a pertinent discussion for it leads to the evaluation of other historical figures as well. More importantly it drives home the idea of actions have consequences, which are amply touched upon in the book. From slavery to syphilis, from colonization to chocolate, there are issues worth considering.

Even the subplots are useful to class discussion. Card’s narrative reveals the “real Noah,” which truly extends the idea of mythic figures pretty far back in human history. There is usually a kernel of truth in any mythic narrative and trying to discover it or figure it out can lead to spirited class discussions. Beyond that, Orson Scott Card is imminently readable, and has long been one of the favorite authors of students in my experience. There are collections of “What If” books around that can provide other examples, but “Pastwatch” is at the heart of the so many issues important to the study of history that it is at the top of the list in its utility. Besides, it is a good yarn with the expected Card characterizations in which intellectual effort is as passionate as romance.

Forget Mr Hawking and read this ... NOW (3/13 people found this helpful)

After reading many Card books this has to be my favourite. The dual storyline of columbus and pastwatch team always makes it interesting. There are several sentances in it that made me think!

Great weave of history and sci-fi! (6/9 people found this helpful)

I see most of the reviews are positive but the couple that aren't mention the same thing - lack of antagonistic characters. Last I checked, there were more choices than man vs man in great literature. There is also man vs nature and that is what this is all about. Nature is personified as "the past" and it is up to the protagonists to conquer nature and change the future. One of Card's best, this one really left me pondering over the possible outcomes and paradoxes.

Card Orson Scott

Reader Reviews:

A provocative alternative history from Uncle Orson (13/15 people found this helpful)

Forget Mr Hawking and read this ... NOW (3/13 people found this helpful)

Great weave of history and sci-fi! (6/9 people found this helpful)

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