It’s been quite a while since I’ve felt compelled enough by a book to finish 400 pages in 2 days but that’s exactly what happened with this one. Pastwatch isn’t just an easy enjoyable read; it’s inspired speculation and a very entertaining history lesson too.
Two stories are told throughout the novel, both parallel in theme and structure but significantly different in perspective. Which is perhaps why this book works so well. On one hand we have the story of a Genovese weaver’s son Christobol Colon and how he rose to a challenge from God taking him on a perilous journey across the Ocean to an unknown land. The other story tells of the men and women of Pastwatch, an organization of the future dedicated to observing and detailing the history of man through an innovative technology that allows them to see back in time. These worlds come together when a breakthrough in Pastwatch technology reveals that these future historians may not be confined to simple observation any longer. Reality may be a fragile thing, and moral questions arise. The characters of both of these worlds have dilemmas and the line between subjective and objective reasoning is blurred masterfully.
In this thoroughly informative novel Card explains history from some very unique vantages. He gives us the pieces of information and then puzzles them together to form a larger picture. Afterwhich he takes those same pieces of information apart and puzzles them together again only differently. Card explores moral issues but it never feels like he’s preaching. He gives the information and lets us think for ourselves.
I really felt refreshed by the respect Card gives to his reader here. The book explains without lecturing, and calls for values to be explored but doesn’t try and tell you right from wrong. Card obviously has a high opinion of his reader and of that I am grateful. I’ve only read two other books by Card but if his others are as smartly written, and entertaining as this one then I will definitely be reading more.
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