Connie Willis is an American science fiction author celebrated for her distinctive blend of humor and profound insight. Her narratives frequently delve into the intricacies of time travel, exploring the clash between rational pursuits and the often absurd nature of human behavior. Willis excels in crafting accessible prose and endearing characters, setting her stories within meticulously realized worlds where logic confronts unexpected challenges. Her masterful application of the comedy of manners within speculative fiction solidifies her status as a significant voice in contemporary literature.
The narrative explores the impact of aerial bombardment on a love affair, highlighting how the chaos of war transforms the mundane into something noble while simultaneously undermining the couple's relationship. After three years of successfully navigating the threats to their bond, they face a new challenge: surviving a bombing that leaves them trapped in a collapsed building. The story delves into the complexities of love and survival amidst the horrors of war, questioning the nature of their connection when faced with life and death.
Brings together short stories from Joe Haldeman, Connie Willis, Lois McMaster Bujold, Suzy McKee Charnas and other winners of the Hugo Awards, one of the top prizes for science fiction. Original.
The narrative offers a unique perspective on the War of the Worlds through the eyes of various celebrity eyewitnesses worldwide. These accounts provide a blend of personal experiences and dramatic interpretations of the Martian invasion, capturing the chaos and fear that ensued. The book combines elements of science fiction with real-world celebrity culture, creating an engaging retelling of H.G. Wells' classic tale while exploring themes of fame, perception, and the human response to extraterrestrial threats.
Winner of the Nebula Award Traveling back in time, from Oxford circa 2060 into the thick of World War II, was a routine excursion for three British historians eager to study firsthand the heroism and horrors of the Dunkirk evacuation and the London Blitz. But getting marooned in war-torn 1940 England has turned Michael Davies, Merope Ward, and Polly Churchill from temporal tourists into besieged citizens struggling to survive Hitler’s devastating onslaught. And now there’s more to worry about than just getting back home: The impossibility of altering past events has always been a core belief of time-travel theory—but it may be tragically wrong. When discrepancies in the historical record begin cropping up, it suggests that one or all of the future visitors have somehow changed the past—and, ultimately, the outcome of the war. Meanwhile, in 2060 Oxford, the stranded historians’ supervisor, Mr. Dunworthy, frantically confronts the seemingly impossible task of rescuing his students—three missing needles in the haystack of history. The thrilling time-tripping adventure that began with Blackout now hurtles to its stunning resolution in All Clear.
Connie Willis' Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Doomsday Book uses time travel for a serious look at how people connect with each other. In this Hugo-winning companion to that novel, she offers a completely different kind of time travel adventure: a delightful romantic comedy that pays hilarious homage to Jerome K. Jerome's Three Men in a Boat.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.
Winner of six Nebula and two Hugo awards for her fiction, Connie Willis is acclaimed for her gifted imagination and bold invention. Here are eleven of her finest stories, surprising tales in which the impossible becomes real, the real becomes impossible, and strangeness lurks at every turn. The end of the world comes not with a bang but a series of whimpers over many years in "The Last of the Winnebagos." The terror of pain and dying gives birth to a startling truth about the nature of the stars, a principle known as the "Schwarzschild Radius." In "Spice Pogrom," an outrageous colony in outer space becomes the setting for a screwball comedy of bizarre complications, mistaken identities, far-too-friendly aliens--and even true love. The last of the Winnebagos -- Even the queen -- Schwarzschild radius -- Ado -- Spice pogrom -- Winter's tale -- Chance -- In the late Cretaceous -- Time out -- Jack -- At the Rialto
Connie Willis is celebrated for her versatile storytelling, blending screwball comedy with profound tragedy. Her works feature intricate plot twists and innovative science, all while showcasing memorable characters. Recognized as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Willis continues to make a significant impact in the literary world.
Sf thriller exploring our greatest journey and our greatest mystery -- death itself -- from the winner of both the Hugo and the Nebula awards. Psychologist Dr Joanna Lander has spent two years at Mercy General Hospital studying patients who have been declared clinically dead but then revived. Many have had near-death experiences, NDEs, which are remarkably similar the world over. Then brilliant young neurologist Richard Wright discovers a way to induce an NDE using psychoactive drugs. He's convinced that NDEs are a survival mechanism, and that through them more patients might be brought back from the edge of death. Patients like Joanna's young friend Masie, who is almost certain to die before she gets the heart transplant she desperately needs. So when Joanna realizes that Richard's project is under threat due to a shortage of suitable subjects, she volunteers to take the dangerous journey to the limits of knowledge herself. Immediately fascinated by her simulated near-death experiences, Joanna becomes increasingly desperate to discover the meaning behind the strangely familiar images and feelings she encounters. As she begins to unravel the mystery, her sense of dread grows. Becau
Featuring a blend of new and previously published tales, this collection showcases Connie Willis's award-winning storytelling through eight imaginative Christmas stories. Each narrative reinterprets classic themes of generosity and goodwill, emphasizing the enduring strength of love and compassion during the holiday season. With two original stories, readers can expect a delightful exploration of the magic and spirit of Christmas.
