To Say Nothing of the Dog
by Connie Willis
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Book Reviews of To Say Nothing of the Dog
Book Review: Great Story in Search of an Editor
Summary: 4 Stars
To Say Nothing of the Dog is a delightful romp through the space-time continuum that addresses several pressing questions--how might a chaotic system like time protect itself from anomalies; what happens when people from the future remove an item from their past; and why did Victorian Brits have such atrocious taste? The characters here, as in most of Willis' works, are true-to-life and quite well rounded. The story is engaging and has some terrific twists and turns, including romance, suspense and adventure. Unfortunately, it is a case study of why great fiction results from the collaboration of an author and an editor. This book desperately needs an editor to cut some of the redundant and oppressive details and musings that really added nothing to the story. If, however, you can slog through page after page of confusing and often stupefying prose in the middle, you'll find a delightful and satisfying ending.
This book really makes you understand why her works, including the incomparable Doomsday Book, make her one of the best in the field. However, she may be well served to pay more attention to her own short fiction. Fire Watch showcases her extraordinary talent in a medium (short stories and novellas) where she's forced to cut the fluff and focus on her strength--great tales and superb characters. Still, To Say Nothing of the Dog deserves a read. While a little editing would have made it exceptional, as is it is still far above average.
Book Review: Romantic Victorian Comedy with a touch of Sci-fi
Summary: 5 Stars
A penchant for Victorian literature is probably essential for appreciating this time travel novel that takes place largely in Victorian England. If you haven't read Jerome K. Jerome's classic Victorian-era comedy "Three Men in a Boat", you really should consider reading it before undertaking this volume, which (in the beginning at least) is heavily laden withreferences to it. The plot is rather complicated, and indeed most of the mystery (and the fun) in this book is trying to understand exactly what's going on and why, but suffice it to say that a time traveler on a routine mission unwisely brings back a cat from the past, causing a casual meeting to not take place, and eventually endangering the outcome of WWII. This is an insanely funny book, with lots of belly laugh despite its substantial length, and just when you feel like the story is bogging down a bit, here comes another unexpected twist. Willis has some unique answers to the basic conundrums of time travel, but in actuality this isn't much of a science fiction novel. The focus is on the delightful romances that develop between the exquisitely satiric characters, and the culture clash between the very contemporary time travelers and the socially complex Victorian era. If you liked Jane Austen's classic "Emma", this may be your favorite sci-fi/fantasy of all time. Most readers should agree that it's certainly the funniest.
Book Review: First class blend of sci-fi and comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought that this was an excellent book, both imaginative and original, a perfect blend of sci-fi and comedy. Not to be taken too seriously, it none-the-less creates a story complex enough to keep you interested throughout, yet remains both light and pleasurable to read. The story centres on the journey of Ned Henry into the Victorian era with a task that he can't quite remember, and which results in him attempting to blend in and do as little damage to the past while he tries to find out exactly what he's meant to be doing and why. As the story unfurls you realise that it isn't quite as simple as you first expected, and Willis' notion of time as a self-correcting force that attempts to remove damage to the timeline by using the hapless time travellers to alter key events is truly inspired.
Anyone wanting hardcore sci-fi may be dissapointed, but the book is light-hearted and funny and doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. In my opinion there is just the correct blend of science fiction intermingled with a breezy and witty story of love, cats and destiny. My only criticism is the strange need the book seems link itself to Three Men in a Boat. Aside from being set in the same time and JK Jerome lived and supposedly took his river journey, it has nothing to do with it, and is certainly a strong enough story to do without it. Overall, though, it is a first rate book. Read and enjoy.
Book Review: First class blend of sci-fi and comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought that this was an excellent book, both imaginative and original, a perfect blend of sci-fi and comedy. Not to be taken too seriously, it none-the-less creates a story complex enough to keep you interested throughout, yet remains both light and pleasurable to read. The story centres on the journey of Ned Henry into the Victorian era with a task that he can't quite remember, and which results in him attempting to blend in and do as little damage to the past while he tries to find out exactly what he's meant to be doing and why. As the story unfurls you realise that it isn't quite as simple as you first expected, and Willis' notion of time as a self-correcting force that attempts to remove damage to the timeline by using the hapless time travellers to alter key events is truly inspired.
Anyone wanting hardcore sci-fi may be dissapointed, but the book is light-hearted and funny and doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. In my opinion there is just the correct blend of science fiction intermingled with a breezy and witty story of love, cats and destiny. My only criticism is the strange need the book seems link itself to Three Men in a Boat. Aside from being set in the same time and JK Jerome lived and supposedly took his river journey, it has nothing to do with it, and is certainly a strong enough story to do without it. Overall, though, it is a first rate book. Read and enjoy.
Book Review: A joy to read
Summary: 5 Stars
A few years ago, my husband and I began reading out loud to each other in the evenings. There are not many books that can stand the consistent pressure on the language that such readings aloud entail, and I was skeptical when he put Connie Willis's novel--science fiction!--on our list.
We've now read it aloud twice, the second time as a comfort read when I was sick. The only difficulties occurred when we were so convulsed with laughter we couldn't go on. This is a novel we recommend to our writer and avid reader friends, and also to those who read no more than a couple of books a year. We give it as gifts. We adore it.
Here's why: such simple graceful prose that the craft that underlies it is almost invisible; deft plotting; characters one cares about; and sparkling irreverent humor. Part time-travel novel, part Victorian romance, and part mystery (and playing with and defying the conventions of all of these), this novel is a joyous romp. It's the sort of book that makes you remember how much fun children's books were, when you were a child. It has no pretentions to greatness, and is unlikely to show up on anyone's list of the great novels of the 20th century . . . though perhaps it should. Underneath the comic story is a more subtle exploration of the meaning of fate, coincidence, and time that never gets in the way of the fun. I can't recommend it highly enough.