I wish I could go back in time to tell myself not to bother with this.

For a similar premise, well executed and with characters you'll care about, try H.G. Parry's [b:The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep|42779072|The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep|H.G. Parry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556719286l/42779072.SX50.jpg|66538284] instead.