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The Many-Colored Land: Volume 1 of the Saga of Pliocene Exile Audiobook
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(4.00) - 4,360 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
This is a spellbinding tale woven of equal parts epic and myth—with a liberal dash of hard science fiction.
When a one-way time tunnel to Earth’s distant past, specifically six million BC, was discovered by folks on the Galactic Milieu, every misfit for light-years around hurried to pass through it. Each sought his own brand of happiness. But none could have guessed what awaited them. Not even in a million years.
In the early twenty-second century, many humans are being born with psychic powers and are linked in a single galactic mind. Those without these psychic powers—the misfits, undesirables, criminals, and radicals—have a choice: mental reprogramming or exile. Exile, voluntary or otherwise, takes them back six million years, to a time between the extinction of dinosaurs and the rise of Homo sapiens, and to a time of exotic surprises and unknown dangers.
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"There are so many characters and so many histories to bring together before the story could really get going that I found this slow in the beginning. But it was well worth sticking with it. I liked the premise of the book best, a different take for a time travel book. The characters are fun but not particularly deep. It took time to get attached but fair warning, the author is not afraid to kill off characters..."
— Beth (4 out of 5 stars)
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“As fresh and original as any book in the field, The Many-Colored Land, the deservedly acclaimed first novel in a series of series, takes readers on an amazing journey from the distant future to the distant past, using unexpected routes all along the way…May’s triumphs here include a tremendously original premise; fast-paced storytelling that defies predictability; and a sympathetic and well-rendered cast of characters who hold your attention throughout this whole high adventure…If you haven’t passed through Julian May’s time portal yet, well, hop in. There’s always room for one more.”
— SFReviews.net -
“The Many-Colored Land is the first volume of one of the most impressive science fiction series I have read. Characters with a deep, vivid individuality enact an exciting story…A writer who knows how to blend source and imagination to an astonishing degree. The allure of Julian May’s fantasy and science fiction inventions are so powerful I find it impossible to ‘read just one.”
— Reviewers-choice.com
Awards
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Winner of the 1982 Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
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Finalist for the 1982 Hugo Award for Best Novel
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Nominated for the 1981 Nebula Award for Best Novel
The Many-Colored Land Listener Reviews
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Torben Rudgaard, 3/10/2023
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DocTuck, 6/20/2022
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" Interesting sci-fi, where humans go back 6 million years. I plan to read the other two in the trilogy. "
— Marilyn, 2/15/2014 -
" As captivating now as the first time I read it (actually, the second - I started it, couldn't get into it at first, and abandoned it for some months) this ebook version is most welcome, since my original paperback copies are now sadly tattered and dog-eared. With Tor's recent release of 'Intervention', I hope I might be able to 'replace' the hardback copies of the Galactic Mileau series too! "
— AmbushPredator, 2/10/2014 -
" Re-reading one of my all time favourite series. I love the way May intertwined sci-fi and fantasy with a rollicking good plot. "
— Yorkshiresoul, 12/30/2013 -
" Still think about this book. Complex, intelligent sci fi. "
— Steve, 12/26/2013 -
" An excellent book. Very engrossing, and a very well-described world. The setting allows the author to blend the classic tropes of science fiction and fantasy together nicely. "
— Michael, 12/23/2013 -
" This is what the tv show "Terra Nova" should have been. "
— Gary, 12/22/2013 -
" My favorite series ever. Incredible fantasy/sci-fi with a rich world full of deep and engaging characters. I have read this series over and over again. "
— Shawn, 12/5/2013 -
" Wonderful sci-fi series. These books just get better as the world building grows. Many characters and facts to keep track of, but if you are a true sci-fi story fan, this series is a must read. "
— Isabella, 11/21/2013 -
" an excellent diversion from the otherwise humdrum routine of life on a mid western grain farm. that diversity within a group is a powerful thing if all members of said group can work together. "
— Neal, 10/23/2013 -
" This scifi series ment a great deal to me...I have several of the paperbacks. Time travel-watchers. Dressing as if, reinacting.. "
— Joy, 10/22/2013 -
" For me, Julian May was one of those rare finds.. one of the members of the new wave of science-fiction! "
— Shido, 10/15/2013 -
" I've just finished rereading this again. I still enjoy it. Having been interested in folklore and mythology since I was very young, the combination of folktales with Science Fiction pushes all the right buttons for me. "
— Paul, 10/14/2013 -
" An interesting concept, and a compelling read. "
— Beth, 8/30/2013 -
" Amazing book! I'm surprised this one isn't as famous as other fantasy series... "
— Erik, 3/2/2013 -
" The start of an instant classic. One of the best fantasy series ever written. "
— Frank, 8/26/2012 -
" I really enjoyed this. May has managed to include every science-fiction theme there is in one way or another. "
— Michael, 7/21/2011 -
" Still an enjoyable read. Last time I read this was probably close to 15 years ago and I really loved the series. Having read a lot of very good scifi and fantasy since then I was wondering how I would appreciate the series now. Well, a bit less then I recall, but still 4* "
— Johan, 3/2/2011 -
" The Many-Coloured Land really is a must-read series for SF fans. Epic, violent, at times vulgar, and intelligent, the series is comprised of winning characteristics. I highly recommend all four novels in the series. I'm not as fond of the spinoffs, but definitely give these a whirl if you haven't. "
— Lurple, 2/5/2011 -
" An incredibly detailed writer, from food to mountain climbing to plausible SciFi tech and mind powers. "
— Bleyddyn, 12/13/2010 -
" I Read these four books a few years back...reminded me of France for some reason? "
— Allan, 12/12/2010 -
" Still think about this book. Complex, intelligent sci fi. "
— Steve, 11/17/2010 -
" I really enjoyed this. May has managed to include every science-fiction theme there is in one way or another. "
— Michael, 10/29/2010 -
" Still getting to know characters and settings. Pretty fun "
— Kathy, 9/24/2010 -
" One of my favorite books in the 80s. Though technically science fiction, it's more like an epic fantasy in feel. The heroes and villains are all larger than life, with world-shattering psionic powers that harken back to Smith's <em>Lensmen</em> series. "
— David, 5/31/2010
About Julian May
Julian May lives in Washington state and has been writing science fiction and fantasy for more than thirty years.
About Bernadette Dunne
Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.