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Doomsday Book  By  cover art

Doomsday Book

By: Connie Willis
Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
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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)

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What listeners say about Doomsday Book

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    3,147
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • 4 Stars
    1,407
  • 3 Stars
    805
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    262

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Apocalyptic!

great concept, and a gripping story, especially juxtaposed with the current COVID19 pandemic. Looking forward to others in the series.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

worthwhile story!

I enjoyed this book and the Narrator. My only complaint was that there were several sections, especially in the beginning that seem to repeat. Don't know if it was the Audible download or a publisher error.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excellent telling of a great, if painful story

The reading was quite good. The story itself was (honestly) painfully realistic, but also inspiring and intensely human. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining

Made me very glad I did not live in the dark ages. People are still the same not matter when they lived.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

intense

First third is boring. I almost quit, but it gets really intense later on, so I am glad I stuck with it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, keeps you hooked to the end

This is a great book that kept me hooked until the very end. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

engaging story with slow start

The first half had lots of repetition but second half engaged and was very good.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very enjoyable

A really solid story. I found there were times I was not drawn in and didn’t pay attention, but overall, quite good. This might have been one I would have chosen to read hard copy.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

tedious

The story has one simple idea stretched out to over 25 hours. The book isn't even particularly well written. I'm really not sure why it is so highly rated.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A slowly building story that won't let go

What made the experience of listening to Doomsday Book the most enjoyable?

Although some what predicable, the story has you almost pleading for characters to survive. You know there is very little chance of survival, but you can't give up hope.

Which scene was your favorite?

The search for Agnes.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Very moving in sections

Any additional comments?

I look forward to listening to the next books in the series.

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