AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Doomsday Book
Title: Doomsday Book
Author: Connie Willis
Audiobook Narrator: Jenny Sterlin
Series: Oxford Time Travel
Kivrin wants nothing more then to visit the middle ages, and given that she's a time traveling historian, she's about to get her wish granted. After months of careful preparations, Kivrin is sent back in time and immediately falls terribly ill. In the present day, a similar plague begins to spread across Oxford, even striking the technician that set up Kivrin's trip to the past. Now Mr. Dunworthy, Kivrin's mentor, finds himself in a panic, as there is no way to find out if Kivrin has arrived safely. Thus begins Doomsday Book, a novel about illness, and how it impacts us across the ages.
Doomsday Book is the second book I've read by science fiction author Connie Willis, the first being To Say Nothing of the Dog. Like To Say Nothing of the Dog, Doomsday Book is completely standalone and can be read without any prior knowledge of this universe of time traveling historians. Unlike To Say Nothing of the Dog, Doomsday Book is not a comedy adventure but a tragedy. Yes it possesses some lighthearted moments early on, but they taper off as the book becomes darker. If I were to compare the two books, I would have to say that I prefer To Say Nothing of the Dog, which was a much more consistent read in my options. Still, despite it's faults, Doomsday Book certainly has it's high points.
Doomsday Book ends up covering two story lines, Kivrin's story in the middle ages, and Mr. Dunworthy's story in the present(ish) day. I personally found Kivrin's story to be absolutely fascinating. Willis's attention to historical detail is what I've come to expect form a well-written historical fiction book, never mind a science fiction novel. I liked the fact that despite all of her precautions, Kivrin still found herself completely unprepared for the past. It was easy for me to believe that there's some information on the middle ages that has been completely lost over time. I also like the fact that the author gives the reader a lot of time to get to know the people that Kivrin meets in the past. As a result, we fall in love with Kivrin's new friends and family just as she does, which makes later events more effective. On the other hand, I was less than fond of Mr. Dunworthy's adventures in Oxford. Yes, it was interesting to observe the number of parallels that emerge between the two story lines, but where I liked the fact that Willis took it slow in the past, I was less fond of it here. I just really wanted to get back to the middle ages and Kivrin. If I had to witness another scene of Mr. Dunworthy trying to coax information out of the sickened technician that sent Kivrin to the past, or his continued misadventures with the American bell ringers, I would have through my tablet across the room.
Thoughts on the Audiobook: To be honest, I wasn't hugely fond of Jenny Sterlin's narration at first, but she really grew on me by the end of the book. I especially think she did a great job creating voices for the two children Kivrin comes to take care of in the past.
Final Thoughts: There are times when Doomsday Book can drag, but it is really worth you patience. Willis has the ability to really make you care about her characters, and this can truly be scene in Kivrin's story in the middle ages, which had me tearing up more than once. This book is recommended to anyone looking for a good time travel book, as well as fans of historical fiction set in the middle ages. Four Stars
Next I will be reviewing The Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams
Author: Connie Willis
Audiobook Narrator: Jenny Sterlin
Series: Oxford Time Travel
Kivrin wants nothing more then to visit the middle ages, and given that she's a time traveling historian, she's about to get her wish granted. After months of careful preparations, Kivrin is sent back in time and immediately falls terribly ill. In the present day, a similar plague begins to spread across Oxford, even striking the technician that set up Kivrin's trip to the past. Now Mr. Dunworthy, Kivrin's mentor, finds himself in a panic, as there is no way to find out if Kivrin has arrived safely. Thus begins Doomsday Book, a novel about illness, and how it impacts us across the ages.
Doomsday Book is the second book I've read by science fiction author Connie Willis, the first being To Say Nothing of the Dog. Like To Say Nothing of the Dog, Doomsday Book is completely standalone and can be read without any prior knowledge of this universe of time traveling historians. Unlike To Say Nothing of the Dog, Doomsday Book is not a comedy adventure but a tragedy. Yes it possesses some lighthearted moments early on, but they taper off as the book becomes darker. If I were to compare the two books, I would have to say that I prefer To Say Nothing of the Dog, which was a much more consistent read in my options. Still, despite it's faults, Doomsday Book certainly has it's high points.
Doomsday Book ends up covering two story lines, Kivrin's story in the middle ages, and Mr. Dunworthy's story in the present(ish) day. I personally found Kivrin's story to be absolutely fascinating. Willis's attention to historical detail is what I've come to expect form a well-written historical fiction book, never mind a science fiction novel. I liked the fact that despite all of her precautions, Kivrin still found herself completely unprepared for the past. It was easy for me to believe that there's some information on the middle ages that has been completely lost over time. I also like the fact that the author gives the reader a lot of time to get to know the people that Kivrin meets in the past. As a result, we fall in love with Kivrin's new friends and family just as she does, which makes later events more effective. On the other hand, I was less than fond of Mr. Dunworthy's adventures in Oxford. Yes, it was interesting to observe the number of parallels that emerge between the two story lines, but where I liked the fact that Willis took it slow in the past, I was less fond of it here. I just really wanted to get back to the middle ages and Kivrin. If I had to witness another scene of Mr. Dunworthy trying to coax information out of the sickened technician that sent Kivrin to the past, or his continued misadventures with the American bell ringers, I would have through my tablet across the room.
Thoughts on the Audiobook: To be honest, I wasn't hugely fond of Jenny Sterlin's narration at first, but she really grew on me by the end of the book. I especially think she did a great job creating voices for the two children Kivrin comes to take care of in the past.
Final Thoughts: There are times when Doomsday Book can drag, but it is really worth you patience. Willis has the ability to really make you care about her characters, and this can truly be scene in Kivrin's story in the middle ages, which had me tearing up more than once. This book is recommended to anyone looking for a good time travel book, as well as fans of historical fiction set in the middle ages. Four Stars
Next I will be reviewing The Dirty Streets of Heaven by Tad Williams