The Map of the Sky

A Novel

By: Felix J. Palma

Narrated by: James Langton

Length: 22 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling author of The Map of Time returns with a mesmerizing novel casting H.G. Wells in a leading role, as the extraterrestrial invasion featured in The War of the Worlds is turned into a bizarre reality.

A love story serves as backdrop for The Map of the Sky when New York socialite Emma Harlow agrees to marry millionaire Montgomery Gilmore, but only if he accepts her audacious challenge: to reproduce the extraterrestrial invasion featured in Wells's War of the Worlds. What follows are three brilliantly interconnected plots to create a breathtaking tale of time travel and mystery, replete with cameos by a young Edgar Allan Poe, and Captain Shackleton and Charles Winslow from The Map of Time.

Praised for "lyrical storytelling and a rich attention to detail" (Library Journal, starred review), Palma again achieves the high standard set by The Map of Time.

©2011 Felix J Palma (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"The unreal becomes real, fantasy becomes history, and the reader is thoroughly entertained by an unending parade of bafflements and surprises. This book is a complete delight." (K.W Jeter, author of Infernal Devices)

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.*

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.

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.

Starts slow-gets interesting-then slows down again

The story could have used tighter editing. It drags a lot.
I like James Langton as a narrator.

Scary story

Where does The Map of the Sky rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

While not my favorite story, I know The Map of the Sky is among the most memorable. The Map of Time was a light-hearted frolic compared to this dark story. Felix J. Palma weaves a horrifying "What if" tale, and James Langton's narration is spot on.

What about James Langton’s performance did you like?

Jame's Langton's voice never distracts from the character whose words he is reciting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The Map of the Sky left me feeling as though I need another "The Map of'" book.

Realizing I am hooked

I was interested in the idea of the plot from the get go but it took a while before I realized I was hooked. I don't plan to purchase any more of Felix J. Palma's audibles but did enjoy this one.

Interesting Twist

The story moved very slowly at first and so it took me awhile to get into it. I almost gave up, but it does pick-up and develops into a good story. It is an interesting take on the work of H G Wells. If you are a fan of Wells stick with the story. It is worth it in the end.

A good read, but not spellbinding.

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

I read ALL my audio and Kindle books over again - simply to catch nuances I may have missed the first time through

Have you listened to any of James Langton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have read this author. I put him on my 3rd tier of preferred authors.

Any additional comments?

Almost any book is worth reading. This includes "The map of the sky" which I would rate as worthy but not by any means exciting and stimulating.