Carmichael Library Sci-Fi (Virtual) Book Club discussion

Finished the book? Discuss it here.

For me, this was a re-try of Connie Willis. I read another title of hers years ago (I think it was Doomsday Book) and I just wasn't into it. Maybe she is just not for me as this was another so-so for me. I felt like we were just going, going, going through this alien wilderness and not much was actually happening. By the time I started to feel more invested in the story (finding out who built the wall and the idea that Bult was courting Carson), it was almost over.

“ A pleasant diversion, but there's little for the reader to take away when she's done.” From publishers weekly review. I agree. I did like how she treated the indigenous people, but it seemed they were just wandering around, not going anywhere. Seems to me that this should be the first chapter in a longer novel, with maybe some editing to tighten up the story. Really liked the pop-ups showing how cinema distorts reality and the idea that even leaving footprints alters an area, although minimally. Have you tried Connie Willis’s WWII book Blackout and All Clear? I really enjoyed those, although I am fan of Connie Willis. First book of hers that I read was To Say Nothing of the Dog. I like her time travel books, although some have not stood the test of time very well. There is one where they have time travel but no cell phones.

At first I thought I would hate this book. A lot of unfunny banter with the indigenous person constantly fining them. I thought this is going to get old fast. Then it got a little better toward the end.

I have so many books I want to read, I'll probably not read anything of hers for a long while.