To Say Nothing of the Dog: Or How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump at Last

It isn't often that I read a book for the first time and it instantly becomes one of my favorites. "To Say Nothing of the Dog" did that, though. I love this novel! Connie Willis flawlessly combines so many elements in this book: It's part mystery novel, part sci-fi, part time-travel drama, part Victorian romance, part comedy. The characters and situations are extremely funny, but at the same time, there is a deep and serious plot going on.Ned Henry goes back to the Victorian era to get some rest -- he is time-lagged from going back and forth from 2057 to 1940 to locate an ugly piece of Victorian art. But, he also has an important mission to complete in 1888. Verity Kindle, a fellow time-traveler, inadvertently brought something back from the past. Ned and Verity must put things right before the course of history is changed and the space-time continuum breaks down. Ms. Willis portrays the worlds of 2057, 1940 and 1888 with equal ease and vivid descriptions. There is mystery (Why was Verity able to bring what she did through the time-travel apparatus? What was it? How does it relate to the Bishop's Bird Stump? What is the Bishop's Bird Stump and why is it important?). There is science fiction (More about the "net" and how it works than in Doomsday Book). And, there is comedy. Ms. Willis' witty characterizations are reminiscent of Oscar Wilde or Jane Austen (Tossie is Cecily from The Importance of Being Earnest. Colonel and Mrs. Mering are Mr. and Mrs. Bennett from Pride and Prejudice.) Ned is hysterical as he struggles through an era he knows nothing about.Fans of Doomsday Book will enjoy the return of Dunworthy and Finch. But, in my opinion, To Say Nothing of the Dog is much better than Doomsday Book.I couldn't put this book down, and I was extremely satisfied with the ending. All the mysteries are solved and the facts are presented -- but a twist at the end leaves a new mystery unsolved. A fantastic book! I hope for more time-travel novels from Connie Willis.

I swear, Connie Willis must collect awards for fun and profit. I've loved everything of hers that I've read, but this was the first, and still one of my favorites. She's managed to write a historical novel/romance/comedy/mystery/scifi story in one impeccable volume. While trying to unravel the various paradoxes of time travel, you're treated to the inanities of Victorian England, which can (and probably will) have you laughing out loud. With the mystery of the drowned cat, and the atrocity that is the Bishop's Bird Stump, among other things, she keeps you tied to the book up until the end - just when you think everything is sorted out, we find that we're all wrong. Ms. Willis pays perfect homage to the great writers of the past as well, so opick up some Christie and Jerome K. Jerome while you're at it. Highly recommended....

While I loved The Doomsday Book for its suspense and dark tone, I loved To Say Nothing of the Dog for its humor and lightness. Both books kept me reading for different reasons. In To Say Nothing of the Dog I kept trying to figure out how the characters were going to fix the mess they had made. Even if you are not a science fiction fan you would enjoy this book.

Don't be turned off if you're not a science fiction reader (although I do enjoy it myself). To Say Nothing Of The Dog is set in the same universe (a university history department of Time Travel in slightly-future England) as Willis' Doomsday Book, but this is happier, funnier, lighter and more cleverly plotted. It's a fun and absorbing read with a good mystery and it's just so _smart_. I don't know why Willis isn't more famous. I think she needs to get off the SF shelf where hard SF geeks don't appreciate her and others avoid her. I agree with the reviewers who said that you will want to share this one with friends. It's so fun that you will want to discuss it with someone the minute you finish it! One more thing - don't be turned off by the reviews that say this book is funny. I can usually tell that I will hate a book when other people tell me it's funny. But this is different. Just give it a try!

The only problem I could find with this book is its unfortunate ability to make me snort loudly in public places. Continually diminishing social life aside, this is by far the funniest, smartest novel I have ever read. Willis expertly juggles chaos theory, time travel, a period novel, a romance novel, a sci-fi piece, and assorted fauna, and yet maintains coherence throughout. Details connect wonderfully, sneaking up on you from behind as pieces fall into place. But, more than just being a romp among the Victorians--which it is--To Say Nothing of the Dog is informed with a steadily growing deep view of the universe. It is a book about the incredible interconnected complexity of the world, where every detail matters, where no one and nothing is really insignificant. It is rare and wondrous to find a comedy with a spiritual dimension, a joyous book of philosophy. Thought is not sacrificed for humor. To avoid this book would be like avoiding life. It overflows with joy and insight. After re-reading it, I feel enriched.