Doomsday Book by Connie Willis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Doomsday Book
Book Review: A contemporary classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I know how this is going to sound. But I majored in comparative literature in college. I have been an avid reader all my life -- from the classics to Ann Rule and Jodi Picoult. And I must say that "Doomsday Book" is one of the very few books I reread and savour on a regular basis. I believe it's one of the best books -- in any genre -- of the last 50 years.
Obviously, not every reader here agrees. And I don't imagine my few praises will win over any of those who tried it and found it "boring" or "poorly written." I just want to add my voice to those who could not disagree more strongly. Every time I finish this book, I feel that I have come to know -- *truly* know -- flesh-and-blood people who lived during the horrendous days of the Black Plague. I'm not ashamed to say that the experience of reading this book has changed my life for the better.
Book Review: A fabulously dark and richly textured time travel tale.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the best books I have ever read. It successfully crosses between science fiction and historical fiction, it's grim and dark and wonderful, the characters are superb and the action is relentless. Loved it!!! (And I don't normally read SF!Book Review: A fascinating tour de force
Summary: 5 Stars
One can know the numbers and even various details of the Black Death, but Connie Willis makes her reader feel it in personal, human terms. The book is a world (or two worlds, since it is half in the 21st century and half in the 14th) of its own which catches the reader so that you cannot let go until the last page. Willis breathes wonderful new life into the old SF trope, the time machine. Typical of Willis' stories, characters are constantly ensnared in a mass of little problems that make it almost impossible for them to deal with the big problems-- a crummy phone system, an absent administrator, fogged up glasses, etc. (today's readers will notice the notice the lack of cell phones, now ubiquitous in Britain as elsewhere, but not extant when Willis wrote the book). Willis' 14th century episodes have the virtues of the fine historical novel: meticulous accuracy in terms of what is known, plus vividly imagined characters and situations.Book Review: A fine book. Enjoyed it immensely
Summary: 5 Stars
Nothing fancy to say, just wanted to get my vote in. A friend recommended it to me ( I don't read a lot of science ficton) and I gave it a try. It's the best book I've read in a couple of years. No, there's not a lot of science fiction in it and it takes a while to build up, it seems to me. But the feeling I took away from the book was that this ( the Bubonic plague ) really did happen, that it is truly amazing how much better life is today. We look back at those times as if they didn't really occur, part of the reason being that we can't actually imagine how bad they were. I helps give one an appreciation of the time in which we live.Book Review: A fine tale blending the distant past and the near future
Summary: 4 Stars
Willis weaves the Black Plague, mediaeval sexism, university bureaucracy, pandemics, and time travel into a engaging tale of vibrant characters about whom we quickly come to care and in whose shoes we tread days soon to come as well as days long past. Her portrayals of ancient England are rich with colors and textures that bring the reader into the scene. Wonders and horrors lurk in every corner as the plot builds delicious tension with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. If there is a failing here, it is with the too facile resolution of things. A bit more trouble in setting things right might have seemed more real, but by the last page our heroes have been through enough. An easy recommendation for any fan of speculative fantasy, this book makes me curious for more of Willis' work.