Fire Watch is a collection of twelve short stories by Connie Willis a well known science fiction author from my home state, Colorado. She has won six Nebul awards--more than any other science fiction writer. If you enjoyed her novels Blackout or All Clear you will enjoy the title story Fire Watch which is in the same setting, but Willis has a varied offering in this collection.
The stories cover a large scope of subject matter. They range from Daisy, in the Sun a story about the sun going super nova to A Letter from the Clearys about a family's life in the aftermath of a nuclear war. My favorites were Samaritan and Blued Moon. Samaritan brings up the question of whether animals have souls in a unique and thought provoking way. Blued Moon takes place in Wyoming at a site where a company is sending waste into outer space and the unique consequences that result.
Many are moving and some are a little creepy but they all kept me reading. Most of them are not for someone who worries about what will happen in the future because the stories in this collection are not all "happily ever after" tales.
Sometimes a short story fits into my schedule more seamlessly than a longer book. It is easy to pick up, read a quick story and then put it down again. A short story also seems to required less energy and commitment from the reader, although at least one of the these stories seemed quite intense to me.
I always encourage people to read something by Connie Willis. Her storytelling skills are top notch and her imagination runs everywhere!
Showing posts with label Connie Willis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Connie Willis. Show all posts
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Lincoln's Dreams
Just a week ago I had the privilege of listening to Connie Willis speak about the books she loves. Although I had read her last two, Blackout and All Clear, I felt moved to sample some more of her work. Lincoln's Dream's by Connie Willis is an amazing book! Although we have all come to know Willis as a Science Fiction writer this book doesn't fit that mold and yet I can't suggest a better genre label as it doesn't fit my concept of fantasy either.
Jeff, a young man doing research on the Civil War for his employer. Specifically he is trying to find where Willie Lincoln's body was buried prior to being interred with his father. Through an unusual set of circumstances he meets Annie, the patient of his former college roommate. Annie is being treated for nightmares that appear to be the dreams of Robert E. Lee.
The basic premise is easy to state. The multitude of themes are more complex, simply stated they are love and death. Love appears in many guises: love's power for destruction, the loneliness and melancholy left behind when love ends, and the dedication of love. Death is not drawn with simple lines, the ability to reach beyond the grave through time and space borders on the metaphysical or parapsychology. Foreseeing one's own death is also explored.
The development of characters is excellent. It was as easy to get to know Lincoln and Lee as it was to know Jeff and Annie. I was able to relate to all the characters and suffer along with them.
The serious tone and rich context built the suspense and a haunting sense of foreboding. I would recommend this title to people who enjoy history, suspense, mystery or love stories. This book haunts me and left me wanting more.
Lincoln's Dreams won the 1988 John W. Campbell Memorial Award for the Best Fantasy Novel of the year. It is available in hardback, paperback, Nook, Kindle and at eBooks.
Jeff, a young man doing research on the Civil War for his employer. Specifically he is trying to find where Willie Lincoln's body was buried prior to being interred with his father. Through an unusual set of circumstances he meets Annie, the patient of his former college roommate. Annie is being treated for nightmares that appear to be the dreams of Robert E. Lee.
The basic premise is easy to state. The multitude of themes are more complex, simply stated they are love and death. Love appears in many guises: love's power for destruction, the loneliness and melancholy left behind when love ends, and the dedication of love. Death is not drawn with simple lines, the ability to reach beyond the grave through time and space borders on the metaphysical or parapsychology. Foreseeing one's own death is also explored.
The development of characters is excellent. It was as easy to get to know Lincoln and Lee as it was to know Jeff and Annie. I was able to relate to all the characters and suffer along with them.
The serious tone and rich context built the suspense and a haunting sense of foreboding. I would recommend this title to people who enjoy history, suspense, mystery or love stories. This book haunts me and left me wanting more.
Lincoln's Dreams won the 1988 John W. Campbell Memorial Award for the Best Fantasy Novel of the year. It is available in hardback, paperback, Nook, Kindle and at eBooks.
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