Comments on: Review: Doomsday Book, Connie Willis

By: Matthew

Matthew — Sat, 26 May 2012 16:47:06 +0000

I now have a new favorite Author: Connie Willis! This book was SENSATIONAL! Brava to Ms. Willis!

By: henryporter

henryporter — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 02:58:49 +0000

I read this book shortly after it came out in paperback. Loved it. Even for the early 90’s the science fiction aspect of it seemed dated – a nice effect in my opinion, it made it believable. While missing the cell technology of today it does allude to GPS technology which was largely unheard of in the early 1990’s. The time travel aspect (scifi part) is so crude one can believe that time travel might be only 30 years away from becoming reality, I really like that. You’re immersed in two periods, today and the 14th century and in both era’s disease is beyond the control of men, wreaking havoc on a population. Connie Willis does a wonderful job of creating the relationships between Prof. Dunworthy, Kivrin and Father Roche, you like these people and many others. The writer of the review above, an historian, commented that she would not like to have visited during the black death. As a health care professional with an interest in history, I can’t help but think I would like to try, of course armed with 21st century immunizations. Also, I don’t think anyone from the 21st century could fully prepare themselves for the smells and hygiene of the 14th century, still… The story is superb, the characters touch you, the stresses are real and the time travel is quite incidental. I’ll take a chance here and state I’ve been waiting for someone to make a movie out of this novel for some time.

By: Brian Casey

Brian Casey — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:42:48 +0000

I’m a big fan of both sci-fi and historicals, and the combination of these two genres in one well-written book was a big draw for me.

I loved the book, but found it very distracting that in the future – a future so advanced that time travel is possible – there are no cell phones, effectively no internet, and not even voice mail. A significant part of the plot line from the future involves having someone sit by the phone for hours just to answer it and write down messages, and having the phone system so overloaded that calls cannot be completed.

Overall, a great book who’s view of the future is not aging well at all.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:58:20 +0000

I loved, loved, loved this book! It is one of my favorites, so I’m glad you liked it too! If you liked this book, I can also say that Passage, and To Say Nothing About the Dog are also really great reads by Connie Willis. To Say Nothing also has time travel elements in it, and is very funny as well. I find her books addicting, and I think she is a great writer. I am so glad you’ve discovered her!

By: Beth F

Beth F — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:07:10 +0000

I loved To Say Nothing of the Dog and have been wanting to read this one for ages! Your positive review has just increased my own desire to read Doomsday.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:10:49 +0000

I’ve had this book, unread, for ages. Somehow I keep forgetting about it. I think I need to make it a priority sometime soon.

By: Nymeth

Nymeth — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:00:51 +0000

I definitely want to read it! I love both speculative fiction and historical fiction, so there’s no way it won’t be a winner for me.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:11:39 +0000

You are starting to sound like a Brit – have you developed an accent yet? The book sounds like a perfect fit for you!

By: Marg

Marg — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:15:40 +0000

I am sure I am not the only reader who has a list of authors that I am going to get to one day. Connie Willis is one of those authors for me!