It's December 1348 and the plague is raging through the West Country. Two brothers, John and William come across a dead couple with a squalling baby and John saves the baby even though William urges him to leave it to die. It turns out that John should have listened. The baby is already infected and the woman they have asked to wet-nurse it now catches plague along with her father. The brothers believe that they will soon die and go to Hell. They stumble to an old stone circle and are each given a strange choice. They will die in six days, but they can either go home, or they can spend each of their remaining days 99 years on from their previous day, searching for redemption. The following day, hardly daring to believe what has happened, they wake in 1447, ignorant of the century and vulnerable to the people who are not. They meet kindness and cruelty. Again 1546 and 1645 are equally puzzling, chaotic and frightening. They no sooner arrive than they are whisked another 99 years into the future, sometimes finding friendship, sometimes finding enemies, but with redemption just as far away as ever. Finally the last day comes in 1942. This is a book for people who love history. Each period is lovingly described and recreated. Knowing that Ian Mortimer is a historian, I trust that the historical aspects are accurate. The setting is geographically located around Exeter. (John was a stonemason who carved the faces of his loved ones into the faces of the statues.) The brothers carry their ingrained fourteenth century beliefs with them, especially as regards religion, damnation and purgatory. John is very godfearing while William has a more relaxed view of life's opportunities. It's a great premise and an ambitious novel that actually reads more like non-fiction. Essentially, however, it lacks a forward moving plot even though the brothers move forward through time. Each day is episodic and the brothers simply roll with the punches. Despite the plot (lack) I really enjoyed reading this for the history.

John and William. Brothers who are very different! John a mason, married with children and very Saturnine - living life following church doctrine, pious, always thinking about what is the best thing to do ... while William is still single and enjoying his dalliances with married women, getting the most enjoyment he can from life with very little responsibility. John is the thinker (good vs bad) while William is the feeler.

It's December 1348 and the plague is everywhere. We join them on the road as they travel (there's no holding back from the sights they see making it easy to feel what they're feeling). Comparisons are made from how Honiton was 11 weeks ago to what it's like now. An action John makes prompted by his beliefs causes them to be chased from the blacksmith's in Exeter. Hiding out on the ramparts he finds out he has 7 days to prove his goodness and needs to make his way to Scorhill Stone Circle where he will be given the terms. And so begins their travel through time with each day equalling 99 years into the future.

This story is AMAZING. I loved not only the changes through the time periods on the outside but also the gradual changing and acceptance on an inner level. From sleeping in their brother Simon's barn on the first night through to 1942 I became a part of this story. I experienced John's bewilderment at the changes to the law, not knowing if his deeds were good or a sin or if he was living in hell. The similarities through each day despite people being more civilised made me think about humanity and were we really any different? John learns from the people he meets but leaves with more questions than answers. Until the last day. I had no idea what was coming! but once I knew I could see the clues leading up to the reveal. I was so involved with the story I hadn't seen the 'who' or 'why.' Loved this :) So inspired.

Although each day interested me, I particularly liked spending time in 1843 with Father Harrington and his family in Exeter. I felt that was a turning point for John and where he received the most care and attention for body and soul. The most uncomfortable day I spent was in the workhouse. From researching my family tree I had some knowledge but this felt much more personal because I felt as if I was part of the story. Some heart pounding moments for me in there! This was one of the days where I felt John's beliefs stood him in good stead.

The Outcasts of Time has a great pace (those 400 pages fly by), solid characters and an unusual plot. If you enjoy historical fiction you should be reading this. Highly recommended.

Brothers John and William are travelling through a plague ridden country in December 1348. John, finding a baby still alive next to orphan-making corpses, finds his heart too moved by pity and piety to leave the baby to die. Despite the risks that William reminds him of.

William’s words are terrifyingly prophetic and soon the brothers fear that they will die and go to Hell. But then a strange voice offers them a choice – die at home with their families (probably infecting them too) or to live another six days searching for salvation across the forthcoming centuries – living each one of their remaining days ninety-nine years after the last.

They choose the future and wake the next day in 1447. The day after that in 1546 and so on. Every day brings new shocks and and challenges as they are confronted with changing technology, landscapes and religious and social convictions. With so much confusion can they redeem themselves before the six days are up?

This book couldn’t possibly be what it is if it hadn’t been written by the author described by The Times as ‘the most remarkable historian of our time’. This is Ian Mortimer’s first work of historical fiction and his knowledge marries perfectly with a stunningly clever and well executed story. Though John and William were born centuries ago and are very different from each other, they are both likeable, relatable characters. Obviously the settings and descriptions of each time period are accurate but Mortimer infuses them with colour and life too.

I found myself talking about this book a lot while I was reading it – always a sign of a good read. This is definitely in my top five books of the year and deserves every one of it’s Five Bites! I’m hoping Ian Mortimer continues to explore fiction.

Historian Ian Mortimer is probably best known for his non-fiction ‘handbooks’, The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England and The Time Traveller’s Guide to Elizabethan England. His latest book, The Outcasts of Time, is a work of fiction but based around a similar concept. It’s a book packed with interesting ideas and intriguing themes, but although I found it an unusual and thought-provoking read, I don’t think it was entirely successful as a novel. I’ll try to explain.

The story begins in December 1348, with England ravaged by the Black Death. Two brothers, John and William, are walking home to their small village near Exeter when they too fall victim to the plague. Wandering into a stone circle in the dark, a mysterious, disembodied voice speaks to them, offering them a choice: they can return home and spend their last six days of life in familiar surroundings, but with the risk of spreading the sickness to the people they love – or they can live each of those six days in a different century, each one ninety-nine years after the one before. If they choose the second option, although they will still die at the end of the six days, all traces of plague will be removed during that period. I’m sure you can guess what they decide to do!

Waking up in the year 1447, the brothers find that the world is a strange and unfamiliar place – and each new dawn after that brings even greater challenges. As the novel’s narrator, John acts as our guide, describing the changes he sees in the English countryside and in the streets of the towns and villages he once knew so well. Some things, it seems never change – for example, in almost every year the brothers visit, a war is taking place – but it’s the great advances in technology and the small details of daily life which surprise John the most. When he reaches that distant age of 1942, he is equally amazed by the ‘flying crosses’ he sees in the sky and by the mysteries of an indoor bathroom!

With his background in history, Ian Mortimer has obviously taken great care to recreate each period his characters visit as accurately as possible, down to the tiniest details, showing the changes in architecture, fashions, food and drink, place names, and even the fact that people are growing taller over the centuries. However, although some characters do remark on the brothers’ unusual way of speaking, I’m not convinced that they would have been able to make themselves understood at all, bearing in mind how much the English language has changed since the 14th century (the time of Geoffrey Chaucer). Also, while I did like the different and unusual approach to time travel in the novel, it often felt more like the framework for a series of history lessons rather than the compelling story I would have preferred.

Religion played an important part in medieval life, and John and William, as they move forward through time, have the chance to see how Christianity, the church and the ways in which people worship have evolved over the years. The religious element of the book is very strong – too strong for me at times – but led to some interesting discussions between the brothers and the other characters they meet. Themes of faith, morality and redemption are always at the heart of the novel, and in each of the periods he visits, John attempts to carry out good deeds in the hope of earning his place in heaven. And as well as seeing some of the worst evils human beings are capable of, he also witnesses some acts of kindness and humanity.

The Outcasts of Time is a fascinating novel but I found it difficult to become fully engaged with it. With only one chapter devoted to each time period, there wasn’t really time to become attached to any of the characters apart from John and his brother. It wasn’t completely satisfying as a story, then, but I would still recommend it to anyone who loves the idea of time travel as much as I do!

This is by far the most quotable novel I have ever read. Mortimer is definitely one of the most skilled writers of our time, in language and through his imagination. His ability to manipulate the reader to feel exactly how he wants them to feel is to be admired.

So this poignant story follows two men faced with purgatory if, in the next six days of their lives, they’re unable to perform a pure good deed. The trick is, for each of the six days they live, they’ll be ninety-nine years in the future. Aside from the barrier this presents in terms of language, fashion and technology, good deeds somehow become harder to achieve through the centuries.

This is an excellent piece of historical fiction that highlights the changes, both small and substantial, that have taken place over the last few centuries. Funny and factual, I would definitely recommend this novel to people who enjoy reading historical fiction.

Another dimension of this novel is that it is highly philosophical. John and William together embrace the prospect of dying while pondering the existence of humanity. I feel as though this dimension of the novel should have a whole genre of its own, a “books that make you think” genre, because that would suit this novel perfectly. Rarely do I come across a book that I read, and I feel a changed person afterwards. This is one of those books.

I’m exceptionally impressed by what a good read this book turned out to be and I hope to explore more of Mortimer’s work because if it’s anything like this novel, I’m sure it’ll turn out to be a great read.

Hi Karen,

My next review is:-
"The Outcasts Of Time", written by Dr Ian Mortimer and published in hardback on 15 Jun. 2017 by Simon & Schuster UK. 400 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1471146558

An absolutely stunningly good historical mystery. It is December 1348. With the country in the grip of the Black Death, brothers John and William fear that they will shortly die and go to Hell. But as the end draws near, they are given an unexpected choice: either to go home and spend their last six days in their familiar world, or to search for salvation across the forthcoming centuries – living each one of their remaining days ninety-nine years after the last.

John and William choose the future and find themselves in 1447, ignorant of almost everything going on around them. The year 1546 brings no more comfort, and 1645 challenges them still further. It is not just that technology is changing: things they have taken for granted all their lives prove to be short-lived.

As they find themselves in stranger and stranger times, the reader travels with them, seeing the world through their eyes as it shifts through disease, progress, enlightenment and war. But their time is running out – can they do something to redeem themselves before the six days are up?​

This is an absolutely extraordinary story and I was attracted to reading it as I had previously read two books for review by him writing under the alternative name James Forrester. The books are "Sacred Treason" in 2010​, followed by "Roots Of Betrayal" Feb 2012. The high quality of his research and writing skills I had thus appreciated. The author has probably drawn on his extensive research for his previous titles a "Time Travellers Guide To Medieval England/Elizabeth England/Restoration England for this current title.

T​his is a very unusual story to review as it encompasses elements of historical mystery but coupled with science fiction. However, the author manages to inform the reader as well as there are very many elements of life in the past that is explained which amazed me and I was very intrigued as it it all seems to be happening in the vicinity of the West Country.

Once I started this very unusual story I just could not put it down until I reached the final dramatic page. I will certainly look out for more books by this very gifted writer, whichever name he writes under. Strongly recommended.

Best wishes,

Terry
(to be published on eurocrime.co.uk)

Mortimer has provided an insight into history that few can master. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction or who are just looking for an incredibly well written novel.

I have read and loved Mortimer's popular history books (the Time-Traveller ones) so looked forward to this. The plot did hang together well and I enjoyed the idea of there being travellers from the Medieval period through to our own but I kept feeling I wanted something more. I think I just found it hard to engage with the main character (although his brother, the more happy-go-lucky sinner, was more enjoyable and understandable to me) so this may be more to do with me than the author.

I have loved this authors historical writings- I have never read any of his fiction! This book was such a surprise and I loved it! Time travel is nothing new in fiction but this book shows a really refreshing way of doing it and it is really well done! The ideas behind the story of familial lineage is wonderful and I was sad to finish it! It's a really well written and enjoyable book! Such a surprise to me that I had to read it twice!

The Outcasts of Time by Ian Mortimer

It is December 1348 and the Black Death ravages England’s terror-stricken population. God has turned His back. The bodies of men, women and children fill great death pits in the towns and cities while more corpses rot where they fell – on streets, on country roads, in their houses, in each other’s arms. Brothers John and William are travelling by foot to Exeter, a place that both know well but is especially meaningful to John, a stone mason, who carved some of the brand new cathedral’s statuary, incorporating representations of himself, his brother and his beloved wife into its carvings.

But they see the work of pestilence everywhere and know it is only a matter of time before they too are stricken. And when the inevitable happens, they seek to make peace with God in a sacred place. But instead they are made an offer: they can either return home to live out the six days remaining to them or they will experience each of those six days, 99 years apart from the one before. They would move through the centuries with all sign of the plague removed. But at the end of those six days they will face the Final Judgement.

And so begins an extraordinary journey for two men whose lives have been lived firmly within the medieval world of the mid 13th century. Men for whom God is central to their existence, just as the Earth is the centre of the universe. Both John and William fought for Edward III in France, determined if necessary to die for their beloved King. As they make the first leap – to 1477 – they realise that everything will change, that they will stand out more and more. Not just for their clothes and their accents, but also for their faith, their convictions and their morality. All of these elements of life are fickle. All of them change through the centuries as John and William experience such times as the rise of Protestantism, the English Civil War, culminating in the early 1940s. While their world expands across seas, some things remain the same. War, above all else.

The Outcasts of Time is an astonishing novel, not least because it combines a fascinating, irresistible Faustian tale with a clever scrutiny of the transition from the medieval to modern worlds as it would have affected an unexceptional everyman from the 13th century. It’s a personal story, as told through the words of John, and, as such, it is moving, heartfelt and often tragic, especially as he misses his wife and children. But it also tells the broader tale of humanity’s progress (or lack of it) through seven hundred years. The judgement on how well we have done comes from John as he struggles to make sense of it all, or at least some of it. Hanging over it all, though, is the memory of the plague and the descriptions of this are powerfully repulsive and painful to read. We all know about the Black Death and how it eliminated so many villages and devastated towns and cities but this novel reminds us of the countless human tragedies that combined to create the disaster. What John and William and others had to endure is appalling.

The novel is rich in themes but it is also packed with the most fascinating historical details, as you’d hope when considering the credentials of the author historian Ian Mortimer. I loved all the details about dress, houses, the shifting form of the city of Exeter and the changes to the use of the countryside, as well as the gradual introduction of developments in technology, the sciences, the arts. Imagine seeing trains for the first time, or a clock, or hearing a piano or Mozart, or a line from Shakespeare, seeing a movie. Or learning that man’s position to the universe and God is not what you thought. That morality can shift, even the nature of good and evil. Yet you can look into the night sky and the stars are still there. Whenever I visit a historic place I always think about the people who trod those stones before me – what did they see? What did they think? The wonder that history holds is everywhere in this novel.

The Outcasts of Time is one of those novels that I think would actually benefit from a second reading. It is so richly layered with themes that it is only when you (or at least me) reach the end that you fully realise what an achievement this book is, how much there is in it to discover. At the time of reading it, I was caught up in each of the episodes and I didn’t make all of the connections between the centuries. At the end I realised that I had missed some of the ‘clues’. This is most certainly a novel that deserves and rewards a close reading and your full attention.

The ideas in The Outcasts of Time are huge but they are also wholly accessible because they are planted in a story about two brothers who, when faced with a most terrible and frightening death, have to make a personal choice. This marvellous novel engages the heart and mind and, when finished, it’s not one you want to forget.

On the surface, Ian Mortimer’s The Outcasts of Time has everything an historical novel should have. It was full of sumptuous description, historical accuracy, and a well-developed protagonist used to illustrate his own zeitgeist. It is a shame then that no strength of writing could make up for the one thing that The Outcasts of Time was really lacking. A plot.

Within the first few pages, I was already worried that Ian Mortimer would go the way of so many historians turned novelists, and my worries were ultimately well deserved. The Outcasts of Time gets so caught up in its own historicity that it forgets what it’s actually written for. To tell a story. Instead of a flowing narrative that goes somewhere and means something, instead, we are treated to a set of historical vignettes that read like a morality play for the importance of the study of history. I’m a professional historian, so I’m all for that, but the setup was just so contrived that I caught myself physically rolling my eyes at moments.

I find it difficult to write too much more about the novel because nothing happened. What makes this book great is the way that Mortimer brings the historical periods to life (with the exception of John of Wrayment’s foray into the 19th Century, which was just full of exposition rather than any real sense of time or place), but just giving me a good sense of history isn’t enough. The protagonists skip from day to day, century to century, never really getting to know anyone, or really do anything except give us a snapshot of life in their times. But if I wanted that, I would have read one of Mortimer’s exceptional non-fiction books. His Time Traveller’s Guide series is excellent! But a novel is more than just beautiful prose.

Ian Mortimer’s ultimate aim in writing The Outcasts of Time is summed up by one quote, that is often repeated at the end of the novel:

“ The man who has no knowledge of the past has no wisdom. ”

It’s a bit on the nose, but that’s the ultimate point. History is important, and we are all the sum of what came before. It’s an admirable thought, but it doesn’t make for gripping fiction without a strong narrative to lead us there.

Actual rating 3.5

Historical fiction written by historians is amazing and there needs to be more of it.

I really appreciate what this book did in terms of looking at the past differently. The storytelling was very clever and I really wish we saw more historical fiction willing to look past the conventional story.

Unfortunately, I didn't read the description properly on NetGalley- which is entirely my fault- and hadn't realised that this book involves time travel and some small fantasy/sci-fi elements. I read that it involved the plague and immediately requested! I just happen prefer my historical fiction to be set in one period.
After I re-read the description after being approved for the book, I was convinced I would hate it, but it's actually much better than I thought it would be. This is down to the unique, intelligent storytelling.

I will be looking out for more Ian Mortimer!

It is several weeks since I finished this book and I’m still trying to decide what to make of it. I found it by turns puzzling, frustrating, impressive, thought-provoking, didactic and moving. Positioned as historical fiction, at times it seemed more like social history, political treatise, fantasy or philosophical debate. John’s and William’s journey is really a device to take the reader on a journey through time, charting changes in clothing, food, technology, architecture and religious debate. At times, this feels a little like a history lesson but an amazingly detailed and well-researched one, as you would expect from someone with the pedigree of Ian Mortimer.

Whatever period of history John and William arrive in, a constant is cruelty and inequality – plus ça change, plus c’est la mȇme chose seems to be the message. ‘I wonder what tomorrow will be like – whether the punishments of the landless and destitute will be even worse, and the haughtiness of the wealthy even greater.’ However, along the way John and William do encounter a few individuals who show them kindness or offer them assistance.

The brothers make entertaining companions on this journey through time with witty banter between the two of them masking an underlying deep affection. Their reaction to some of the new things they encounter is amusing. John and William also represent opposing sides of a debate about faith versus atheism. Although both have a desire to do good deeds, their motivation is very different.

While reading the book, I found myself pondering intertextual influences ranging from H G Wells’ The Time Machine, through Marlowe’s Dr Faustus, Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in the Court of King Arthur to Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress, with William representing the character, Faithful.

The ending is both moving and thought-provoking. I think this book will divide readers.

I received an advance reader copy courtesy of NetGalley and publishers, Simon & Schuster UK, in return for an honest review.

This is a time traveller book I really enjoyed (against so so many I haven't).
It is December 1348 and brothers William and John are making their way home from Salisbury. The countryside and roads are covered in the bodies of victims of the plague (Black Death) which is sweeping the land. William (the older brother) is carefree and lusty as a young single man whereas John is a religiously devout family man, longing to return safely to his wife Catherine and three sons.
Danger and disease threaten their travels - firstly when William comes upon his lover and then when John decides to rescue a baby found alive beside his dead parents. His kindness leads to tragedy and both brothers fear for their own mortality. Blaming himself John seeks refuge amongst the stone carved heights of the cathedral where he is a mason/sculptor.
When the voice of the Devil offers him hope from death but that his life will take the form of 99 years passing in each of the next 7 days John agrees to the pact.
What follows is a fascinating trip through seven centuries of history, primarily based in Exeter and its environs but encompassing national and world events alongside the 'ordinary' lives of people John will meet as each day reveals a new set of challenges to his faith and his belief in the world around him.
The author has done well to traverse such a sweep of time and sometimes does slip up on what John might or might not have known as a stranger but overall its a great read and I'd recommend it.

A brilliantly written and thought-provoking book, which ensures the reader is not only taken on a journey through time and history, but also that they take the time to search their own selves for what it means to be truly good or do a truly good act. The soul-searching is prevalent throughout the book and it is through the thoughts and angst of the protagonist, John, that we are able to explore a range of thoughts and feelings about humanity, love and selflessness.
The genre is that of a time travelling plot, at times reminiscent of a mix between Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' and 'The Greatest Gift'/'It's a Wonderful Life', whereby we are forced to think about our actions and the effect on others, along with what difference we make existing at all. Throughout the engaging plot, the reader is thrust along, desperately seeking what John himself seeks - the answer to it all and the need to know that we are worthy. It is through Mortimer's excellent characterisation of a simplistic, yet wholly realistic, John of Wrayment (along with the varied other names he comes to be known as), that we are fully immersed in the events of the novel and of the many historical points in history, focusing particularly on human actions and the treatment of others over the centuries.
The wealth of historical detail comes from the vast experience of the author, which he puts to good use in the first of this fictional exploits. Here we are presented with two ordinary men hailing from the Exeter area of Devon, in the year of 1348, a plague-ridden, deathly year for many. Possibly carrying the disease themselves, John and his brother, William, are given a choice before they reach home: to continue home and risk infecting their loved ones, culminating in their own deaths very soon, or they can live on for 6 more days and have the chance to redeem themselves and save their souls. The catch is that this latter option comes with a proviso: they must move forward 99 years into the future with each day they live. Choosing the latter, John and William have to face an endless range of challenges, not least of which is not understanding the world or the people around them and facing a long list of dangerous situations.
There is so much detail here that the reader will never get bored or lose their enthusiasm for the narrative. It is endlessly challenging and thought-provoking and it does present endless questions about the lives we live and the way we treat or think about others. The end, particularly is very poignant and heartfelt, making it well worth the read. For those who enjoy history, historical fiction and a deeply felt and moving read, this is worthy of your time.

Wow, what a book!
I absolutely adored this. I have a degree in History but used to be very hesitant to pick up Historical fiction but more recently I have found myself drawn to the genre.
This was ambitious but done to perfection.
The writing was beautiful and the character work was stunning. I think part of the success of this book comes from Mortimer's extensive work as a Historian as this is a great example of Historical fiction that blends fact from fiction.

This book was a total mess. The writing was messy, the plot was messy, the characters were messy. Everything a mess. I have to wonder how something like this gets published.

It’s 1348 and Devon is ravaged by the plague. Brothers John and William are walking home to Moreton near Exeter, but the pestilence catches up with them on the road. Sickened unto death, they stumble into a stone circle, where a mysterious voice speaks to them from the darkness. They have six days of life left and they have a choice. They can spend it here, in their own time, and accept whatever is coming to them after death. Or they can use those six days to do good in the world, each day to be lived 99 years after the one before, and to grow closer to redemption in the process. No prizes for guessing which they choose. As days and nights pass, each new dawn does away with almost a hundred years and, from 1447 to 1546, 1645, 1744, 1843 and 1942, our narrator John witnesses the changing face of the British countryside and its people.

On paper, the time-slip concept is great and reminded me of a picture-book I had as a child, called The Village. You turned pages to watch a village develop from a circle of thatched Saxon houses to a thriving town in the present day. But Mortimer’s book is obviously aimed at adults and, as John passes through time, he witnesses human nature in all its ugliness, becoming increasingly cruel and intolerant as the luxuries of the world become ever more unimaginable to a medieval mind. Yet the conclusion is hardly original: that the medieval world, for all its hardships, was a time of community spirit and good-fellowship while modern life, despite amazing technological advances, lacks compassion and social conscience. People have always found the present lacking in comparison to the true values of the ‘good old days’. There’s an almost Victorian moralism about this message.

And the same is true for the spiritual qualities of the book. I have to say that Mortimer does a fantastic job of getting inside the medieval mindset: everything is weighed down with spiritual significance and nothing matters more than the ultimate achievement of grace. I suppose much depends on whether a modern reader is willing to buy into the ‘race against time’ for John to save his soul. And there are still some slightly heavy-handed moments. The story begins with a pact with the devil (or an angel?) and ends with the judgement of the protagonist’s soul, so do we really need to have that hammered home by a 19th-century theatre trip to see Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus?

Mortimer’s Time Traveller’s Guides are written for the benefit of modern people who wonder what it would be like to suddenly wake up in the past. Effectively, what he’s doing here is using the same theory but in reverse. John and William become time-travellers in their own right, outsiders whose observations pick up on all the little things – not so much the names of the kings, or the fact we’re at war with France again, but the fact that houses now have glass in the windows, or the horses are taller, or there are strange tapestries on the floors, or people eat with strange two-pronged silver tools, or that ale has gone out of favour and people prefer to drink beer or strange hot mud-coloured drinks. They also note the absurdities. Why, when people are so much more comfortable, is war still necessary? Why are women suddenly forbidden to practice medicine? Why is one interpretation of religion seen as heresy, while another is accepted? In the greater scheme of things, all becomes ridiculous.

It is no accident that John’s name (‘of Wrayment’), interpreted phonetically in so many different ways throughout his journey, ends up being transliterated as ‘everyman’. As he passes through time, John witnesses the fate of the poor, the homeless and the needy. Sometimes he’s fortunate enough to meet a generous host who gives him food and shelter; sometimes he’s in the workhouse, spinning and being beaten as a vagrant. And, just like the protagonist of the medieval morality play, John realises that ultimately he can count on nothing – no possessions, no status, no manual abilities – good deeds account for all. It’s a strikingly medieval message for a modern world.

The full review will be published on my blog on 1 June 2017 at the following link:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/06/01/the-outcasts-of-time-ian-mortimer

I received a free E-Arc from Netgalley.

Ian Mortimer is a fantastic historian - looking at the past with new eyes and in so doing shedding light on events that are often, erroneously, presented as a fait accompli. For this reason, I was very excited to be given the opportunity to read and review his first work of fiction.

The Outcasts of Time is a deeply intriguing novel, looking not at the past through our perception, but rather the future (which is now our past) through the eyes of a man who lived over 600 years ago. This means that instead of our own misconceptions being applied to the past, every new century is seen afresh, with old eyes that note the changes and the differences as well as the similarities. That said, the novel is not always successful in doing this in an entertaining way, there are the odd occasions where I pondered whether the novel was actually going to be able to successfully bring to a conclusion what appears, at points, as nothing more than a random collection of chance encounters in and around the area of Exeter with different people throughout the 600 year period. I must point out, however, that in the end, I was very pleased to have all the events brought together and to be given some understanding of John's 'chance' encounters.

The initial portrayal of the Black Death is as bleak as we could expect, and edged with harshness. I can understand why the events drove John to seek the option of travelling into the future as opposed to his hideous and painful death. What then transpires is a painstakingly detailed tramp through both the historical and the physical landscape. The book covers a small geographical area - wherever John and his brother could walk in a day's journey. This feels, on occasion, a little restrictive, and yet the research involved in the endeavour can not be underestimated. Ian Mortimer has either envisaged, or drawn from the historical record, painstaking detail about the way the landscape, people and places changed throughout the 600 years from the Black Death. While this detail may occasionally slow the narrative it can not be ignored. What else would you notice if you did travel through time? It would be people's clothes, haircuts, the decorations in their houses, the style of buildings and the food available to eat - not to mention the changes in bathrooms.

The grander events of history - the well known wars and kings and queens - are touched upon but they don't constitute what John is hoping to achieve. He is looking for redemption - to save a soul in order to save his own - and his comments and feelings remain those of a man born and raised in the fourteenth century, confused and beguiled by events almost beyond his comprehension, which only increases with distance from his own time.

The author works hard to bring out every naunce of change through time - right down to evolving speech and the changing of names - by the end John is no longer John of Wrayment but John Everyman - time and language mangling his name, and depriving him of almost everything apart from his brother's ring and his memories. By making John a stone carver, the author even manages to show that even something as 'permanent' as stone can be mangled and broken through time - the carvings John has made, based on his family and friends, gradually fall away and lose their shape. Nothing, it seems, is ever permanent, no matter the initial intent.

The people John meets are perhaps a little too easily convinced of his journey through time, and I do feel that the last two centuries - the 1800's and 1900's perhaps work better - but that is probably because they are more 'real' to me - they are more comprehensible to me just as those centuries closer to John seem to make more sense to him. This, I think, is to be expected.

I would also add that quite a bit of the novel is concerned with religion and religious change. This is fascinating, but also, on occasion, a little overpowering, and yet reflects the concerns of John very eloquently. It shows how recently religion has ceased to be such a major presence in the lives of many.

When John offers the opinion that "The man who has no knowledge of the past has no wisdom" he is speaking for the rationale behind this novel and doing so very eloquently.

Recommended to all who enjoy history and historical fiction.