The Map of the Sky

A Novel

By: Félix J. Palma

Narrated by: James Langton

The fate of the earth hangs in the balance as H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds is transformed from the work of one writer’s imagination into a terrifying reality for all mankind.

1898. New York socialite Emma Harlow agrees to marry well-to-do Montgomery Gilmore, but only if he first accepts her audacious challenge: to reproduce the Martian invasion featured in H. G. Wells’s popular novel The War of the Worlds. Meanwhile in London, Wells himself is unexpectedly made privy to certain objects, apparently of extraterrestrial origin, that were discovered decades earlier on an ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic. On that same expedition was an American crew member named Edgar Allan Poe, whose inexplicable experiences in the frozen wasteland would ultimately inspire him to create one of his most enduring works of literature.

When eerie, alien-looking cylinders begin appearing in London, Wells is certain it is all part of some elaborate hoax. But soon, to his great horror, he realizes that a true invasion of Earth has indeed begun. As brave bands of citizens converge on a crumbling London to defend it against utter ruin, Emma and her suitor must confront the enigma that is their love, a bright spark of hope even against the darkening light of apocalypse.

Palma dazzled readers with his instant New York Times bestseller The Map of Time. In The Map of the Sky, he embarks on an even more thrilling speculative journey, one that links the earth and the heavens, the familiar and the bizarre, the impossible and the inevitable.

Homage to H. G. Wells, time traveller

Before you listen to "The Map of the Sky," listen first to Palma's "The Map of Time." The two novels really constitute a single story -- with one more book to follow, I hear -- like the three books of Tolkein's "Lord of the Rings." The same characters from "The Map of Time" return in "The Map of the Sky," without much back-story provided; so you would miss some important plot implications if you hadn't already listened to the first part. Some of the characters in both books correspond to real-life contemporary personages -- most notably, Herbert George Wells -- doing the things that they really did ... with some slight alterations. Thus, this nascent series might be categorized as "historical science fiction." Hmmm ... a new genre? Surprisingly, Spanish author Félix Palma has made himself an authority on -- and admirer of -- H. G. Wells and Victorian England, to the extent that he writes these stories using Wells' style; and his translator, Nick Caistor, deftly preserves that style. Palma writes so comfortably about Victorian London that one feels effortlessly transported in space and time via his words. I would venture to say that not much has been "lost in translation" here. As with "The Map of Time," narrator James Langton again does an amazing job with the characters' voices, rendering everything from a female character's soft soprano, to her lover's basso profundo with apparent ease, while simultaneously handling all the subtle (and not-so-subtle) characters' regional accents. With Langton at the microphone, we always know who is speaking. He provides us with a virtual multi-cast performance. Without giving away any plot surprises, I recommend "The Map of the Sky" to anyone who enjoys contemplating the puzzles of time travel.

Unforgettable

I’ve read/listened to this book several times now. It is so creative and fun and thought-provoking and heartwarming and heartbreaking. It’s so intense at times that I just can’t put it down. It truly is the crowning volume of this excellent Trilogy. I absolutely love this narration as well. It is cleverly written and masterfully read. *Tiny plea here for “The Map of Chaos” to be produced as an audiobook as well at some point. Pretty please.*

Stimulating sci-fi favorite medly

What made the experience of listening to The Map of the Sky the most enjoyable?

This story artfully weaves at least three classic favorites together into a delicious new perspective of 19th century future imaginings. The journey back to an earlier era was surprisingly both simulating and refreshing in contrast to some of the pessimistic and more jaded current imaginings that are being mass-produced on the post-cyber-punk assembly line of today. Delightful read! The narrator was excellent as well.

Endurance test for an okay ending

The books is broken into three seemingly interminable parts, of which the first is so unrelated to the "description" of the story that I thought I'd switched the order of the book sections. The author is definitely cleaver, but I felt like it just went on and on and on. There are light hearted scenes between a suitor and his intended and there are terrible scenes that felt like the precursor to the Matrix. Eventually everything is tied together into a more satisfying ending.

If this book becomes the next "in" thing I'll be able to say I read it, but you won't find me looking for other offerings from this author. In truth, based on the description and the reviews on the website, I was disappointed.

Charming

Would you listen to The Map of the Sky again? Why?

This is a simply wonderful book. The narration is splendid as is the story. It leaves room for the imagination while providing a satisfying story and ending.