Connie Willis’ To Say Nothing of the Dog introduces readers to a near future when Oxford historians routinely travel through time for investigative purposes. Their work is underwritten by a wealthy, overbearing American – Lady Schrapnell – whose pet project is the rebuilding of the Coventry Cathedral to reproduce its appearance on the day her revered Victorian-era grandmother saw it for the first time, and thereby changed the course of her life, as well as the whole family’s. But the small-scale interactions of the historians and their environment set up the possibility of large-scale disasters down the proverbial road: like the possibility of the Allies losing World War II.
The book represents a loving homage to Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat, whose subtitle was “To Say Nothing of the Dog.” Ned, the time traveler tasked with finding an artifact from the Coventry Cathedral called “the bishop’s bird stump,” has made so many time jumps that he has a form of the bends, and misunderstands the mission he’s on. And like Jerome’s crew, Ned and new found friends Terence St. Trewes and his absent minded Oxford don Professor Peddick travel the Thames in a skiff, and find more adventure than the relaxation they so desperately need.
I think it’s taken me seemingly forever to review the book because this Hugo-award winning novel defies simple description. Yes, it’s a time travel story. But after reading it, I’d probably categorize it under “humor,” before “science fiction.” Because unlike other novels that might focus on the mechanics of voyages in time and space, this book shoves those aside, focusing instead on the truly hilarious consequences of unintended actions. I adored the way Willis took a beloved classic and retrofitted it – even allowing the characters from the original to make a cameo appearance! Oh, and there’s even a couple of love stories.
In fact, if there’s any downside to the book, it’s that Willis seems to gloss over some information about the “world” she’s created that the reader could really use. For example, what is the new time traveling ability based on? Why do individuals react to it so differently? If I was in a mood to be particularly persnickety I’d call it somewhat troublesome that the book’s ending reveals that one of the science fiction “premises” the story was based on was completely unfounded. But it feels like quibbling, because those things didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book.
If you’re looking for a light and amusing sci-fi title, this is definitely it. I’d also suggest it to those who love contemporary humor titles, especially Douglas Adams (although I’m certainly not promising you’ll love it as much as Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and Christopher Moore (and I’d call this a clear winner over his Fluke). I was planning on counting this for Carl V’s Science Fiction Experience in January, but couldn’t get my act together to get the review up in time. Reading this did inspire me to seek out a few more sci fi titles, so it’s still a win!
In 140 Characters or Less: Time travel hijinks, in search of a cantankerous cat.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Book Review: TO SAY NOTHING OF THE DOG by Connie Willis
Connie Willis’ To Say Nothing of the Dog introduces readers to a near future when Oxford historians routinely travel through time for investigative purposes. Their work is underwritten by a wealthy, overbearing American – Lady Schrapnell – whose pet project is the rebuilding of the Coventry Cathedral to reproduce its appearance on the day her revered Victorian-era grandmother saw it for the first time, and thereby changed the course of her life, as well as the whole family’s. But the small-scale interactions of the historians and their environment set up the possibility of large-scale disasters down the proverbial road: like the possibility of the Allies losing World War II.
The book represents a loving homage to Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat, whose subtitle was “To Say Nothing of the Dog.” Ned, the time traveler tasked with finding an artifact from the Coventry Cathedral called “the bishop’s bird stump,” has made so many time jumps that he has a form of the bends, and misunderstands the mission he’s on. And like Jerome’s crew, Ned and new found friends Terence St. Trewes and his absent minded Oxford don Professor Peddick travel the Thames in a skiff, and find more adventure than the relaxation they so desperately need.
I think it’s taken me seemingly forever to review the book because this Hugo-award winning novel defies simple description. Yes, it’s a time travel story. But after reading it, I’d probably categorize it under “humor,” before “science fiction.” Because unlike other novels that might focus on the mechanics of voyages in time and space, this book shoves those aside, focusing instead on the truly hilarious consequences of unintended actions. I adored the way Willis took a beloved classic and retrofitted it – even allowing the characters from the original to make a cameo appearance! Oh, and there’s even a couple of love stories.
In fact, if there’s any downside to the book, it’s that Willis seems to gloss over some information about the “world” she’s created that the reader could really use. For example, what is the new time traveling ability based on? Why do individuals react to it so differently? If I was in a mood to be particularly persnickety I’d call it somewhat troublesome that the book’s ending reveals that one of the science fiction “premises” the story was based on was completely unfounded. But it feels like quibbling, because those things didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book.
If you’re looking for a light and amusing sci-fi title, this is definitely it. I’d also suggest it to those who love contemporary humor titles, especially Douglas Adams (although I’m certainly not promising you’ll love it as much as Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy) and Christopher Moore (and I’d call this a clear winner over his Fluke). I was planning on counting this for Carl V’s Science Fiction Experience in January, but couldn’t get my act together to get the review up in time. Reading this did inspire me to seek out a few more sci fi titles, so it’s still a win!
In 140 Characters or Less: Time travel hijinks, in search of a cantankerous cat.
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At first glance, I would have said it's not for me, but after your review, I'd like to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely isn't what I think of when I think of "science fiction," Kathy, but in a good way. I totally enjoyed it!
DeleteI've read one book by Willis, The Doomsday Book which I loved. She is on my wishlist (as an author, rather than a particular book) for reading more of in the future. This book sounds good fun. It seems to have a similar setting as The Doomsday Book.
ReplyDeleteMaybe The Doomsday Book explains more of the background of the time travel process? Perhaps I should have read it in advance of TSNOTD. But I highly recommend the book, either way!
DeleteI really loved this book- I guess I didn't think so much about the time travel element because I was too busy laughing like crazy at everything that was happening. I definitely want to read The Doomsday Book.
ReplyDeleteI loved it too, Aarti. And as I said, I didn't actually mind the sci fi inconsistencies, although I was thinking they might annoy a hardcore fan of the genre.
ReplyDeleteAt first I thought I read this, but now I realize I haven't. It sounds like a fun read. Great review and thanks for adding another to my future reading list....sighhhhh
ReplyDeleteIt really is fun -- and a classic in the genre. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI just absolutely love this title. Sci fi isn't something I regularly read, but when you talk about how funny it is, I'm surely tempted. Adding to my library list! Thanks for broadening my horizons a bit.
DeleteThe title does just grab you, doesn't it? If you're going to try a sci-fi title, this would be a good one.
DeleteI've heard a lot about Connie Willis and for some reason haven't picked up any of her work. Must pick up soon. Carl's challenge gave me a wonderful opportunity to push my boundaries in what I thought I enjoyed, so I'm ready to regularly include sci-fi (or humor, in this case) into my reading experience.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I love book blogging is that it gets me to push my boundaries. I think this you'd really like this one!
DeleteI would bet that The Doomsday Book does set up the time travel a bit more and that this one continues it because Blackout and All Clear talk even less about the mechanics of time travel than this one does. I think Willis didn't want to waste time repeating things. :) I love this book and hope to reread it soon because it really was hilarious. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteYou see, this is why I rarely read series out of order (but I hadn't realized this was part of a series when I started). I think I'll go back and read The Doomsday Book soon.
DeleteThis sounds really fun, and I'm trying to inject a little more humour into my TBR so it could be just the ticket.
ReplyDelete