Doomsday Book

By: Connie Willis

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 26 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the most respected and awarded of all contemporary science-fiction writers, Connie Willis repeatedly amazes her many admiring fans with her ability to create vivid characters in unusual situations. With Doomsday Book, she takes listeners on a thrilling trip through time to discover the things that make us most human.

For Oxford student Kivrin, traveling back to the 14th century is more than the culmination of her studies - it's the chance for a wonderful adventure. For Dunworthy, her mentor, it is cause for intense worry about the thousands of things that could go wrong. When an accident leaves Kivrin trapped in one of the deadliest eras in human history, the two find themselves in equally gripping - and oddly connected - struggles to survive.

Deftly juggling stories from the 14th and 21st centuries, Willis provides thrilling action - as well as an insightful examination of the things that connect human beings to each other.

©1992 Connie Willis (P)2000 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1993
• Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1992

"Ms. Willis displays impressive control of her material; virtually every detail introduced in the early chapters is made to pay off as the separate threads of the story are brought together." (The New York Times Book Review)
"A stunning novel that encompasses both suffering and hope....The best work yet from one of science fiction's best writers." (The Denver Post)

Great story with a somewhat flawed execution

I really struggled with how to rate this title, because the basic elements of the story are truly spectacular. I'm not giving anything away by saying that the book tells two parallel stories, one set in the Middle Ages and one set in modern times. Both stories connect very well, and every subplot is there for a reason, so it's clear that Connie Willis thought this book through carefully before she wrote it.

That said, I have two problems with the book. First, it could have been about one third shorter. Certain conversations happen again and again, and little plot development results from them. And Willis offers a little too much detail about the daily activities of people working in a modern hospital and a Medieval household.

Second, about half of the characters are intensely annoying. I suppose that lends an element of realism to the story, but so many of the characters are so annoying that I felt myself getting frustrated with the story.

A somewhat related word about the narrator: Jenny Sterlin was very good at conveying just how annoying those annoying characters were. She also does men's voices quite well. But she struggles with speaking in an American accent.

In sum, I've liked other of Connie Willis' books, and I didn't dislike this one enough to stop reading her work.

A Classic

Despite the absurdity of a world where people can time travel but don't seem to have mobile phones or adequate computer access, this is a well-plotted tale, with believable characters and plenty of suspense. The glimpse of medieval society undergoing the first terrible wave of plague was gripping, terrifying and touching. I've read this more than once, and may do so again.

One of my favorite books

I read or listen to this book once a year or so ever since I first read in several years ago. I love these characters. I love this story. The vocal talent is incredible. Truly helps you step into the experiences of the characters.

Some reviews have complained about repetition, but this is how people actually think, when you consider internal monologues. Everyone has a reasonable agenda and they are focused on it, and act in very normal ways. When people are intransigent or focused on a single goal, they do tend to say the same things over and over. I found the repetition helpful, because it helped me to remember their motivation and also helped with solving the mystery. Excellent work!

Published 20 Years Ago and Still Relevant

Follows the adventures of a graduate student as she travels back in time to visit a quant English village during 1320. Of course there is a glitch and she ends up in the middle of one of history’s greatest tragedies. Basically, a story about having a bad day that keeps getting worse.

Slow

Interesting premise and was looking forward to learning a bit about English Middle Ages. Over 2 hours in and nothing much has happened yet. So I decided to cut my losses. Over detailed portrayal of every scene and an academia that might have existed in the 1950's but probably not even then. Also not keen on people in their 50's being voiced as little old folks. I

A tough but ultimately rewarding read

The "Doomsday Book" is thoughtful, superior time-travel fiction. One reason for its excellence is the writing, which is considerably better than the prose in most science fiction time-travel books. The author's interests are not mainly centered on science fiction, but on character, horrendous and awful misfortune, disease, and the impact of disease and misfortune on character.

The author deserves an A+ for the structure of the narration and plot and very high marks for creating varied, sometimes provoking and sometimes admirable, characters. There is low-key humor of a very English kind in the midst of truly awful events, some of which take place in the traveler-sending era--the middle of the 21st century--while most occur in the receiving era--the early or middle 14th century. The alternation between these two eras, and their link through a couple of key characters, is startling for the light that each era sheds on the other.

Religion and religious belief (or the lack thereof) are key elements of the plot, the characters' understanding of the events in which they participate, and the readers' response to the novel. IMHO the book is too long and would have benefited from some ruthless editing. Many of the scenes take longer to read than I think they would have taken to experience. This has an advantage: The suffering resulting from disease and awful events is more intensely felt by readers than would have been the case if the narrative were fleet and left more to readers' imaginations. The downside is that the slow unfolding of the plot is sometimes boring as well as painful. Many of us already know what it is to suffer from viral disease, such as influenza. Readers are hardly likely to know what it is like to suffer some variant of medieval plague. If you read this novel, prepare to be introduced to this experience in the most vivid way.

The basic plot, once revealed to readers, has an appealing, inspiring form: Two souls separated before the narrative begins seek--sometimes consciously and usually unconsciously--a reunion. One enormous strength of the book is that it is not clear whether this desire will be satisfied. If you have the patience and fortitude, this time-travel book is worth reading. Not sure whether I can read another book in the series, however.

great story

I absolutely loved the story I just wish I had thought of speeding up the reading to x 1.15 earlier. It just made so much difference and made the listing so much more enjoyable as the readers voice is far too slow and makes the characters sound quite dense.

Memorable, striking, but slow in parts

I enjoyed the writing, and found the basic story enchanting, but a bit slow in parts. Would read it again and recommend it to others.

Nothing much happens

I was expecting more. The reader goes very slowly through a very slow and uneventful plot line. It is disappointing that not much of anything happens over 28 hours of book. Not terrible, but dull.

Amazing!

Would you consider the audio edition of Doomsday Book to be better than the print version?

The audio version is so much better than the book. Jenny Sterlin (the narrator) gives each character a distinct and recognizable personality and breathes life into the story! Sterlin makes the listener fall in love with the likes of Kivrin and Agnes, and elicits true emotions throughout the story. If this book were made into a film, Jenny Sterlin would most certainly have to narrate! Very well done!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Doomsday Book?

There were two: When Kivrin realizes she is in 1348, and when Agnes, Rosemund and Father Roche die.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Kivrin finds out the identity of Sir Bloett and thinks, "I hope he has a stroke!"

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Doomsday Book: "You are here in place of the ones I love."

Any additional comments?