science fiction, historical fiction
Doomsday Book is set in the future when time travel is a
method of learning about history. As Kivrin is sent back to a small town in
England in 1320 against her mentor’s wishes, a virus breaks out, seemingly
from the very room from which she was sent.
As her mentor, Professor Dunworthy, worries compulsively about his
favorite student, he attempts to work out whether Kivrin arrived as planned and
whether she might be suffering from the virus in the past (and spreading it). Meanwhile,
Dunworthy is frenzied dealing with real-time quarantines and medical testing
for himself and those for whom he is responsible. (There are many). He can’t get answers or get anything
accomplished due to the virus-related closures and quarantines. From Kivrin’s
point of view in the 14th century, she’s fighting illness and
worrying about getting home because she cannot locate the jumping back place.
Told from the two different points of view/timeframes, the characters in this novel are all facing serious issues--illness, detachment, and lack of control. Their struggles continue and worsen for the entire duration of the book. And that is the whole plot.
Connie Willis added a whole bunch of annoying side characters to get in the way of both Dunworthy and Kivrin in their respective situations, but they and their excruciating, meaningless details only served as irritants to this reader.
I know this is a beloved, award-winning novel but I didn’t
really appreciate it. Willis’
writing is so wordy with too much going on, lots of repetition, and every
single inner thought of the characters being shared. It was tedious, aggravating,
and exhausting. I skimmed a lot during the
second half. At least I did come to care about Kivrin after about 1/3 of the
novel and wanted to know whether she’d
get back home.
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