To Say Nothing of the Dog

Or How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump at Last

By: Connie Willis

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Length: 20 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Connie Willis' Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Doomsday Book uses time travel for a serious look at how people connect with each other. In this Hugo-winning companion to that novel, she offers a completely different kind of time travel adventure: a delightful romantic comedy that pays hilarious homage to Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat.

When too many jumps back to 1940 leave 21st century Oxford history student Ned Henry exhausted, a relaxing trip to Victorian England seems the perfect solution. But complexities like recalcitrant rowboats, missing cats, and love at first sight make Ned's holiday anything but restful - to say nothing of the way hideous pieces of Victorian art can jeopardize the entire course of history.

Delightfully aided by the perfect comedic timing of narrator Steven Crossley, To Say Nothing of the Dog shows once again why Connie Willis is one of the most talented writers working today.

©1998 Connie Willis (P)2000 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1999

"Willis effortlessly juggles comedy of manners, chaos theory and a wide range of literary allusions [with a] near flawlessness of plot, character and prose." (Publishers Weekly)

Excellent!

I did not read the previous book in the series, but didn't feel I missed anything necessary to enjoy this fabulous story. It is historical fiction, mystery and romance all wrapped up in one delightful tale. I personally like complex puzzles, and what I thought was going to be a simple time-travel novel turned out to be a complex web of clues and missteps that, at times, I didn't see how it would ever come together. But it did. Even the things you think are insignificant when they occur turn out to have importance to the plot (but, as is the theme of the book, isn't life like that?). The narration by Steven Crossley is excellent. He made every character come to life for me with their tone and accent perfectly capturing the essence of the character's personality. I can't help but think that his talent would make every book better than what I have in my head with the words on the page alone. Bravo!

Pretty good - enjoyable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would probably recommend this as an addition to the Connie Willis library. While it's not as compelling at Doomsday or Blackout, it's a much lighter approach to time travel. It's a nice easy listen.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending was well fleshed out - all the loose ends were tied up.

Which character – as performed by Steven Crossley – was your favorite?

I really like Ned and Bain.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really, First of all, it's really long. But it was well suited to my daily commute.

Any additional comments?

As mentioned, a lighter, more humerous side to time travel. This might be a good entree into the science fiction side of literature for those who haven't wanted to try it out.

Very Enjoyable!

I loved the slowly developing love story and all the inside jokes that were developed amongst the main characters.

Entertaining but silly

the central topic - locating an ugly statue was trivial. But I did finish it because it was entertaining. The first book was much better.

Awesome book!

I loved it! I can't wait to read the rest of the series. A fun romp through past and future. The narrator was excellent and the story never stopped its twists and turns.

Pratchett-esque

I really enjoyed this book. I listened to the first of the series and enjoyed it, but this one is much more whimsical and silly. I enjoyed the humor and the fun that the author had with victorian england and the side effects of the time travel system they have developed.

Though it obviously does not come close to the level of absurdity that you see with Pratchett, the irreverence shown in this book has a similar feeling and I greatly enjoyed it.

One of my all time favorite books

Outstanding characters, witty, great world building, makes me laugh out loud every time I listen.

Entertaining!

I was quickly caught up in the entertaining story and enjoyed it to the end. The historic detail and the sci-fi element of time travel added depth to this light comedy. Very enjoyable.

Hard to get into but gripping

Exceptionally well narrated. The story is difficult confusing at first but as facts are revealed it becomes completely enveloping and engaging. I found myself making excuses to listen, walking blocks out of my way, just to get more time in.

Sweet fun

sweet romantic comedy wrapped around a time and space traveling setting with lots of funny storytelling. a bit long but worth it for the wrap up at the end