The Many-Colored Land (The Saga of Pliocene Exile 1) by Julian May

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Description

When a one-way time tunnel to Earth's distant past, specifically six million B.C., 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... read more

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Cast of Characters/Important People

Aiken Drum: Aiken Drum is a latent (and very powerful at that) metapsychic. He is a nonborn - a 'test-tube baby' - and has been nothing but trouble for his mentors. A villain and mischief-maker, he faces the choice of forced rehabilitation, incarceration or death - he convinces the Milieu to let him pass through the Gate and they gladly agree, happy to be rid of him.
Claude Majewski: Claude Majewski is a 133 year old paleontologist whose wife and work colleague refused a second rejuvenation and died, leaving him feel empty and lonely. He is weary of life and sees Exile as a worthwhile fulfilment of his lifetime work - after all, he would be able to see all the animals whose bones he studied for so long 'in the flesh'! Claude takes his late wife's ashes with him so he can bury them in the Pliocene soil - the only appropriate burial for the beloved who shared his passion in paleontology.
Felice Landry: Felice Landry is a latent metapsychic who has turned her sadomasochistic tendencies into a profitable career as a gladiator. People in the Milieu fear her for her violent temper and she is made to feel more and more like an inhuman out cast - Exile is the only choice for her, as her bloodthirst and passion for violence would make her an excellent huntress.
Elizabeth Orme: Elizabeth Orme, once a powerful Metapsychic Grand Master, has lost her amazing healing power after a tragic accident and feels lost and lonely without the comfort and enlightenment that the Unity used to give her. Frustrated with the loss, she sees Exile as a last hope for fulfilment. Learning the art of ballooning at the Gateway House, she intends on travelling and observing Pliocene Earth on her own.
Richard Vorhees: Richard Vorhees is an interstellar ship captain and merchant whose passionate xenophobia cost him his shipping license. He turns his back to the Milieu hoping to find a world where humans - and not aliens - are in power and he is looking forward to a life free of alien influence.
Bryan Grenfell: Bryan Grenfell is an anthropologist whose beloved, Mercy Lamballe, went through the gate while he was on a business journey. While he is aware that she is unable to commit to him, he still feels compelled to follow the mystical young woman who stole his heart and bewitched him. In search of Mercy, he joins the others in Exile.
Stein Oleson: Last in the group is Stein Oleson, a crust-driller who is fed up with the 'fake' scenarios in the Milieu and wishes to live a simple life in the Pliocene, following his Viking roots.