-
The Best of Connie Willis
- Award-Winning Stories
- Narrated by: Eliza Foss, Jessica Almasy, Mia Barron, Julia Gibson, Alma Cuervo, Gabeen Khan, Luis Moreno, Barbara Rosenblat, Graham Rowat
- Length: 16 hrs and 50 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Anthologies & Short Stories
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Audible Premium Plus
$14.95 a month
Buy for $34.99
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
All Clear
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren, Connie Willis (introduction)
- Length: 23 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three time-traveling historians are visiting World War II England: Michael Davies, intent on observing heroism during the Miracle of Dunkirk; Merope Ward, studying children evacuated from London; and Polly Churchill, posing as a shopgirl in the middle of the Blitz. But when the three become unexpectedly trapped in 1940, they struggle not only to find their way home but to survive as Hitler's bombers attempt to pummel London into submission.
-
-
Rescued by the second half
- By Mike From Mesa on 12-05-11
By: Connie Willis
-
Blackout
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren, Connie Willis
- Length: 18 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In her first novel since 2002, Nebula and Hugo award-winning author Connie Willis returns with a stunning, enormously entertaining novel of time travel, war, and the deeds - great and small - of ordinary people who shape history. In the hands of this acclaimed storyteller, the past and future collideand the result is at once intriguing, elusive, and frightening.
-
-
A gem -- like all of Connie Willis's work
- By Ana on 02-26-11
By: Connie Willis
-
Doomsday Book
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
- Length: 26 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Not What I Hoped For
- By LisaB2595 on 04-21-17
By: Connie Willis
-
Crosstalk
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Mia Barron
- Length: 18 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a not-too-distant future, a simple outpatient procedure that has been promised to increase empathy between romantic partners has become all the rage. So when Briddey Flannigan's fiancé proposes that he and Briddey undergo the procedure, she is delighted! Only, the results aren't quite as expected. Instead of gaining an increased empathetic link with her fiancé, Briddey finds herself hearing the actual thoughts of one of the nerdiest techs in her office. And that's the least of her problems.
-
-
Learn when to say no
- By Mozershmozer on 01-21-17
By: Connie Willis
-
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
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this Hugo-winner from Connie Willis, 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.
-
-
A fun read
- By Sara on 07-23-08
By: Connie Willis
-
Passage
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Dina Pearlman
- Length: 29 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dr. Joanna Lander is a psychologist specializing in near-death experiences. She is about to get help from a new doctor with the power to give her the chance to get as close to death as anyone can.
-
-
Disappointing.........
- By Ann on 03-14-14
By: Connie Willis
-
All Clear
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren, Connie Willis (introduction)
- Length: 23 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three time-traveling historians are visiting World War II England: Michael Davies, intent on observing heroism during the Miracle of Dunkirk; Merope Ward, studying children evacuated from London; and Polly Churchill, posing as a shopgirl in the middle of the Blitz. But when the three become unexpectedly trapped in 1940, they struggle not only to find their way home but to survive as Hitler's bombers attempt to pummel London into submission.
-
-
Rescued by the second half
- By Mike From Mesa on 12-05-11
By: Connie Willis
-
Blackout
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren, Connie Willis
- Length: 18 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In her first novel since 2002, Nebula and Hugo award-winning author Connie Willis returns with a stunning, enormously entertaining novel of time travel, war, and the deeds - great and small - of ordinary people who shape history. In the hands of this acclaimed storyteller, the past and future collideand the result is at once intriguing, elusive, and frightening.
-
-
A gem -- like all of Connie Willis's work
- By Ana on 02-26-11
By: Connie Willis
-
Doomsday Book
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin
- Length: 26 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Not What I Hoped For
- By LisaB2595 on 04-21-17
By: Connie Willis
-
Crosstalk
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Mia Barron
- Length: 18 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a not-too-distant future, a simple outpatient procedure that has been promised to increase empathy between romantic partners has become all the rage. So when Briddey Flannigan's fiancé proposes that he and Briddey undergo the procedure, she is delighted! Only, the results aren't quite as expected. Instead of gaining an increased empathetic link with her fiancé, Briddey finds herself hearing the actual thoughts of one of the nerdiest techs in her office. And that's the least of her problems.
-
-
Learn when to say no
- By Mozershmozer on 01-21-17
By: Connie Willis
-
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
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this Hugo-winner from Connie Willis, 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.
-
-
A fun read
- By Sara on 07-23-08
By: Connie Willis
-
Passage
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Dina Pearlman
- Length: 29 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dr. Joanna Lander is a psychologist specializing in near-death experiences. She is about to get help from a new doctor with the power to give her the chance to get as close to death as anyone can.
-
-
Disappointing.........
- By Ann on 03-14-14
By: Connie Willis
-
A Lot Like Christmas
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Eliza Foss, L. J. Ganser, Lori Gardner, and others
- Length: 22 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No one could ask for a better present than a collection of Connie Willis Christmas tales. These are amazing stories, representing all the best of the Connie Willis experience: true Christmas gifts to her many fans. They are full of humor, absurdity, human foibles, tragedy, joy, and hope. They both send up and embrace many of the best Christmas traditions, such as the Christmas newsletter, Secret Santas, office parties, holiday pageants, and Christmas dinners (both elaborate and spare).
-
-
Best Christmas stories ever!!
- By Carrie Mercer on 12-07-17
By: Connie Willis
-
Return from Kragdon-Ah
- An Alex Hawk Time Travel Adventure, Book 3
- By: Shawn Inmon
- Narrated by: Johnathan McClain
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Alex Hawk has spent six years in Kragdon-ah. He has led armies, won battles, and seen strange and fantastic creatures. He has been continually frustrated in his efforts to return to the 21st century and his daughter, Amy. Return from Kragdon-ah not only wraps up this epic trilogy with more surprises, twists, and turns, it will reveal whether or not Alex Hawk will ever make it home.
-
-
Masterful Story
- By glenn on 02-05-21
By: Shawn Inmon
-
Masquerade in Lodi
- A Penric & Desdemona Novella in the World of the Five Gods
- By: Lois McMaster Bujold
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Bastard’s Eve is a night of celebration for most residents in the canal city of Lodi - but not for sorcerer Learned Penric and his Temple demon Desdemona, who find themselves caught up in the affairs of a shiplost madman, a dangerous ascendant demon, and a very unexpected saint of the fifth god.
-
-
I love this series!
- By BodyPositiveZone on 03-02-21
-
A Door into Time
- An Alex Hawk Time Travel Adventure, Book 1
- By: Shawn Inmon
- Narrated by: Johnathan McClain
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The wall just didn’t look right. Alex has been trying to cope. Life after his deployment had been rough. His ex-wife thought he needed to stop disappointing their daughter. She was right. He would try harder. With six hours before his little girl’s fourth birthday party, he saw the anomaly. One wall was too short. Plenty of time to tear out a panel and look behind it. He found a brick wall. His house wasn’t made of brick. Behind that was another just like the first. He still had time. When the second wall came down, Alex stood and stared at the shining doorway.
-
-
Run Through the Jungle
- By Charles Elmore on 08-30-20
By: Shawn Inmon
-
Hard Time
- The Time Police, Book 2
- By: Jodi Taylor
- Narrated by: Zara Ramm
- Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Time Police do not have problems. They have challenges. Idiots who want to change history have always proved 'challenging'. But now temporal tourism is on the rise - highly illegal but highly lucrative. If you're prepared to take the risk. To face down this threat the Time Police will despatch their toughest undercover agents. Which is fine until the unthinkable happens. Replacements are needed fast, and who better than three young officers who don't even look the part?
-
-
Team Wierd is "Fire-Trucking" Fantastic!
- By Barbara on 10-18-20
By: Jodi Taylor
-
Remake
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Christopher Kipiniak
- Length: 4 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Remake, Connie Willis explores the timeless themes of emotion and technology, reality and illusion, and the bittersweet place where they intersect to make art. It's the Hollywood of the future, where moviemaking has been computerized and live-action films are a thing of the past. It's a Hollywood where Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe are starring together in A Star Is Born, and if you don't like the ending, you can change it with the stroke of a key. A Hollywood of warmbodies and sim-sex, of drugs and special effects, where anything is possible.
-
-
I Don't Even Like Musicals...
- By Aser Tolentino on 07-02-12
By: Connie Willis
-
Lost in Kragdon-Ah
- An Alex Hawk Time Travel Adventure, Book 2
- By: Shawn Inmon
- Narrated by: Johnathan McClain
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When he stepped through a mysterious, shimmering door in his basement, Alex found himself flung through time. Now, he is called upon to rescue the young girl who is thought to be the Chosen One - the savior of Kragdon-ah. A dangerous journey, new and deadlier creatures, and hairs-breadth escapes make Lost in Kragdon-Ah a worthy successor to A Door into Time.
-
-
Shawn Inmon does it again!
- By Anonymous User on 11-16-20
By: Shawn Inmon
-
The Very Best of the Best
- 35 Years of The Year's Best Science Fiction
- By: Gardner Dozois - editor
- Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny, Will Damron
- Length: 39 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For decades, The Year's Best Science Fiction has been the most widely read short science fiction anthology of its kind. Now, after 35 annual collections comes the ultimate in science fiction anthologies. In The Very Best of the Best, legendary editor Gardner Dozois selects the finest short stories for this landmark collection, including short fiction from authors such as Charles Stross, Michael Swanwick, Nancy Kress, Greg Egan, Stephen Baxter, Pat Cadigan, and any many more.
-
-
Would be amazing if not for spoiler prefaces
- By Amazon Customer on 08-28-19
-
Inside Job
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris
- Length: 2 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rob, a professional debunker, is watching yet another performance by a supposed psychic. But as she calls forth the spirit entity known as Isus, another voice suddenly interrupts. And this one is so unexpected and so real, even the hardened skeptic finds he can't help but believe.
-
-
Terrific, but too short
- By Linda on 05-15-08
By: Connie Willis
-
Bellwether
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Kate Reading
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sandra Foster studies fads and their meanings for the HiTek corporation. Bennett O'Reilly works with monkey group behavior and chaos theory for the same company. When the two are thrust together due to a misdelivered package and a run of seemingly bad luck, they find a joint project in a flock of sheep. But a series of setbacks and disappointments arise before they are able to find answers to their questions - with the unintended help of the errant, forgetful, and careless office assistant Flip.
-
-
Pattern Recognition" Meets "Office Space
- By Pam on 07-04-12
By: Connie Willis
-
The Ministry for the Future
- A Novel
- By: Kim Stanley Robinson
- Narrated by: Jennifer Fitzgerald, Fajer Al-Kaisi, Ramon de Ocampo, and others
- Length: 20 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Ministry for the Future is a masterpiece of the imagination, using fictional eyewitness accounts to tell the story of how climate change will affect us all. Its setting is not a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, but a future that is almost upon us - and in which we might just overcome the extraordinary challenges we face. It is a novel both immediate and impactful, desperate and hopeful in equal measure, and it is one of the most powerful and original books on climate change ever written.
-
-
Great ideas, uneven narration
- By depthpsychologist on 12-09-20
-
Uncharted Territory
- A Novel
- By: Connie Willis
- Narrated by: Chelsea Stephens
- Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Findriddy and Carson are two explorers sent to Boohte to survey the ridges and scrub-covered hills of the planet. Back home, their adventures are followed by countless breathless fans, but the reality is far less romantic as they deal with dust, nitpicking regulations, and uncooperative aliens. Teamed with a young intern whose specialty is mating customs, and a native guide of indeterminate gender, the group sets out for a previously unexplored sector of the planet.
-
-
Passed the betchel test
- By James Nicholson on 02-05-20
By: Connie Willis
Publisher's Summary
Few authors have had careers as successful as that of Connie Willis. Inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and recently awarded the title of Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Willis is still going strong. Her smart, heartfelt fiction runs the gamut from screwball comedy to profound tragedy, combining dazzling plot twists, cutting-edge science, and unforgettable characters From a near future mourning the extinction of dogs to an alternate history in which invading aliens were defeated by none other than Emily Dickinson; from a madcap convention of bumbling quantum physicists in Hollywood to a London whose Underground has become a storehouse of intangible memories both foul and fair.
Here are the greatest stories of one of the greatest writers working in any genre today. All ten of the stories gathered here are Hugo or Nebula award winners - some even have the distinction of winning both. With a new Introduction by the author and personal afterwords to each story, plus a special look at three of Willis' unique public speeches - this is unquestionably the collection of the season, an audiobook that every Connie Willis fan will treasure, and, to those unfamiliar with her work, the perfect introduction to one of the most accomplished and best-loved writers of our time.
The full list of narrators includes Graham Winton and Suzy Jackson.
More from the same
What listeners say about The Best of Connie Willis
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ruth Green
- 11-29-14
An index for locating stories
Any additional comments?
Other reviewers have provided helpful annotations of the stories. This is simply an index of the location of the individual stories on this audiobook for those who need an easy way to locate a particular story. Note that each story is followed by an afterward written by the author; these times include the afterword for each work.
Introduction: 0 – 17:10
A Letter from the Clearys: 17:17 – 50:30
At the Rialto: 50:34 – 1:50:25
Death on the Nile 1:50:32 – 3:01:36
The Soul Selects Her Own Society: 3:01:38 – 3:27
Fire Watch: 3: 27:44 – 5:13:45
Inside Job: 5:13:50 – 8:05:53
Even the Queen: 8:05:56 – 8:50
[INTERRUPTION. excerpt from “The Winds of Marble Arch” 8:50 – 9:02]
Even the Queen Afterword: 9:02 – 9:06:13
The Winds of Marble Arch: 9:06:14 – 11:18:45
All Seated on the Ground 11:18: 47 –
The Last of the Winnebagos 13:59:15 – 16:05:50
Editor’s Note 16:05: 52 – 16:06:27
2006 Worldcon Guest of Honor Speech: 16:06:30 – 16:29:57
Grand Master Backup Speech(never given): 16:30 – 16:42:47
Grand Master Acceptance Speech:16:42:52 – 16: 50:48
64 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rachel
- 06-27-14
Probably the best short story collection ever
The title space doesn't allow me to write my whole title: Probably the best short story collection I've ever heard. And certainly the one I've enjoyed the most.
I usually dislike short story collections because they seem to be all depressing and incomplete. These short stories feel just like small, complete books. Connie Willis is so talented and so good at crafting interesting, surprising situations and complex, lifelike characters. I can't get enough.
This collection also includes short messages from the author after each story. I loved these, particularly the one that talked about how she became a successful author. Inspirational and fascinating.
One qualm with the audiobook: My tracks were out of order for parts of two stories--the numbers were in order, but the reading jumped from the end of one story to the middle of "The Winds of Marble Arch" and then put in the afterward to the earlier story before jumping back to the start of the "Winds:. I'm still a little confused about "The first (middle) track I heard form Winds, but since everything else made sense, I didn't worry about it.
18 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tristan Matthews
- 01-25-15
Truly the best of Connie Willis
Where does The Best of Connie Willis rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I've been a huge fan of Connie Willis since I read Doomsday Book over a decade ago. I've read most of her novels, but never got around to running down her shorter works, which evidently was a huge mistake.I repeatedly found myself laughing, then crying, then laughing again. I can not recommend this collection enough.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- K. Doerr
- 10-19-15
The best short stories by a great SF writer
I think many people like Connie Willis, even if they don't like Science Fiction. She's a very good story teller. Much of her work is almost more historical fiction than science fiction (which may be good for folks who find science fiction too absurd/outlandish). If you are looking to sample the genre, this would be a good place to start. My personal favorites here are Fire Watch, Inside Job, and All Seated on the Ground. I think most fiction fans would find those stories entertaining.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Carol
- 11-18-14
A Bit Too Unusual
Would you try another book from Connie Willis and/or the narrators?
This was my first encounter with this author and she is a bit too "quirky" for my taste, although I do like her humor. I would probably not try another of her books.
Was The Best of Connie Willis worth the listening time?
Some of the stories were engaging; others not so much.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Robert Nuzzo
- 06-25-19
Tremendously enjoyable and varied. As expected.
Listen to speeches at the end first. After that you're all in. Enjoy every bit.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joe G.
- 02-01-19
Connie Willis rocks!
Connie Willis writes SF from a firm foundation in the classics, both in SF and literature more generally. the stories span the whole range of human emotion; but several in this collection are incredibly amusing. Inside Job and Even the Queen stand out as seriously funny. However, Willis is not just amusing. She is profound and humane and clever. This collection is simply outstanding, and well read.
-
Overall
- Amazon Customer
- 12-18-18
excellent
excellent way to get to know this witty, whimsical, imaginative writer. fun characters, interesting situations and always a bit of odd humor
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sandy R
- 06-04-15
Not at all what I had hoped for
I thought I was going to get some great SF short stories. What I got was a long-winded oration from the author about her history and odd things like her relationship to Shakespeare. It took a long time to wade through this (way, way too long) and then the stories were, in my opinion, just so-so. I will not be running to read something from this author again anytime soon.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kevin Boone
- 10-19-19
Make no mistake -- this is the real thing
The speculative fiction of Connie Willis is a good as it gets. This collection ranges across the whole of the writer's many moods, from the bleak realism of The Windows of Marble Arch, to the frothy silliness of All Seated on the Ground. Many of her best-known stories are here, including Firewatch and The Last of the Winnebagos.
To make a great collection even better, every one of the narrators does a wonderful job, and has a voice well-matched to the character.
This is wonderful. Why isn't there more like this on Audible? Or anywhere?
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- "ballbearing"
- 02-21-17
the brilliant and the good
some brilliant story's with some good story's. A nice variety from a talented author.