Doomsday Book

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4.1

(438)

Connie Willis

Connie Willis draws upon her understanding of the universalities of human nature to explore the ageless issues of evil, suffering, and the indomitable will of the human spirit.“A tour de force.”—The New York Times Book ReviewFor Kivrin, preparing to travel back in time to study one of the deadliest eras in humanity’s history was as simple as receiving inoculations against the diseases of the fourteenth century and inventing an alibi for a woman traveling alone. For her instructors in the twenty-first century, it meant painstaking calculations and careful monitoring of the rendezvous location where Kivrin would be received. But a crisis strangely linking past and future strands Kivrin in a bygone age as her fellows try desperately to rescue her. In a time of superstition and fear, Kivrin—barely of age herself—finds she has become an unlikely angel of hope during one of history’s darkest hours.

Science Fiction

Time Travel

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Author

Connie Willis

Pages

688

Publisher

Random House Worlds

Published Date

2011-01-05

ISBN

0307784444 9780307784445

Community ReviewsSee all

"Which is more deadly: infectious disease or bureaucratic myopia? Hard to tell after reading this grimly humorous account of a time travel experiment gone wrong. Professor Dunworthy is an Oxford historian in 2054, when time travel has become an accepted part of faculty research. His protegee Kivrin is determined to visit the 1300s, a century that has only recently (and unwisely) been opened for exploration, over Dunworthy's furious protests. When it becomes clear that something has gone awry with Kivrin's launch, Dunworthy's rescue efforts are hampered by university politics, a deadly virus, xenophobia, and plain old stupidity. Meanwhile Kivrin, marooned in 1328 gradually realizes that she has landed in one of the most dangerous of times and places, and fights heroically to protect her new 14th century friends from a growing, implacable menace. Both Kivrin and Dunworthy will discover themselves capable of enduring more trauma than either thought possible. A great historical novel, but sadly it shows its age: Willis' failure to anticipate cell phones and Twitter in an era of time travel result in some ludicrous plot twists, and the minutiae of techno babble drags down the narrative. Still, a gripping story of mean-spirited pettiness trumping scientific breakthrough, and how faith, loyalty and friendship can transcend tragedy."

Lesley Williams

"It started slow for my liking, but had a strong finish."

Jen

"I love Connie Willis and this is my favorite of hers!"

Pika Meadow

"Book #1"

S H

Sarah Herrington

"The plot and characters keep it utterly compelling from start to finish, lightening some of the darker moments with a subtle comedic touch. "

B. McIlnay

"I read this book in middle school and again as an adult. The plot and ideas in the book make you want to push forward to see what the author will conjure up next. Unfortunately, there is a lot of filler that wastes time and is a slog to get through, with important pieces of the plot woven through. "