The Road to Roswell

A Novel

By: Connie Willis

Narrated by: Jesse Vilinsky

Length: 14 hrs

Publisher's summary

A delightful novel about alien invasions, conspiracies, and the incredibly silly things people are willing to believe—some of which may actually be true—from the Nebula and Hugo award-winning author of Blackout and All Clear

“An absolute blast with abundant humor, copious references to old westerns, and . . . a delightful, intergalactic twist on the romantic comedy.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

When level-headed Francie arrives in Roswell, New Mexico, for her college roommate’s UFO-themed wedding—complete with a true-believer bridegroom—she can’t help but roll her eyes at all the wide-eyed talk of aliens, which obviously don’t exist. Imagine her surprise, then, when she is abducted by one.

Odder still, her abductor is far from what the popular media have led her to expect, with a body like a tumbleweed and a mass of lightning-fast tentacles. Nor is Francie the only victim of the alien’s abduction spree. Before long, he has acquired a charming con man named Wade, a sweet little old lady with a casino addiction, a retiree with a huge RV and a love for old Westerns, and a UFO-chasing nutjob who is thoroughly convinced the alien intends to probe them and/or take over the planet.

But the more Francie gets to know the alien, the more convinced she becomes that he’s not an invader. That he’s in trouble and she has to help him. Only she doesn’t know how—or even what the trouble is.

Part alien-abduction adventure, part road trip saga, part romantic comedy, The Road to Roswell is packed full of Men in Black, Elvis impersonators, tourist traps, rattlesnakes, chemtrails, and Close Encounters of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth kind. Can Francie, stuck in a neon green bridesmaid’s dress, save the world—and still make it back for the wedding?

©2023 Connie Willis (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A novelist who can plot like Agatha Christie and whose books possess a bounce and stylishness that Preston Sturges might envy.” (The Washington Post)

“One of America’s finest writers . . . Willis can tell a story so packed with thrills, comedy, drama and a bit of red herring that the result is apt to satisfy the most discriminating, and hungry, reader.” (The Denver Post)

“A wit with a common touch who’s read more great books, and makes better use of them in her work, than two or three lit professors put together.” (Newsday)

No no no

First and foremost, I love Connie Willis’ stories. I’m not a big fan of UFOs or conspiracy theories but I took a chance on this one. I loved it right up until the very end. The narration was excellent and the characters were charming. I knew I could count on Connie to wrap everything up in a way that made sense and felt good. Unfortunately, I was wrong. The last sentence left me wondering “Is that really the end? Surely it can’t be!” But it was. Such a let down.

Marvelous adventure

I’m not usually interested in aliens and conspiracy theories, but Connie Willis makes it fun, exciting, and hilarious. A wonderful take on alien encounters with many nods to other alien movies, books, etc. Beautifully written as always and an absolute joy. I felt like I was part of the adventure right through to the end!

Fun departure from her usual fare

I loved the Doomsday book, Lights Out/ All Clear, but this was fun like To Say Nothing of the Dog. Difference being the setting in our current world and that her usual trope of little things going wrong works, especially in trying to communicate with aliens. Ending a bit abrupt though.

Road trip with an alien

Connie Willis’ The Road to Roswell is a light-hearted, comedic road trip story involving an alien. Francie is the maid of honor at her friend’s wedding taking place in Roswell, NM. The groom is a UFO-nut and while Francie hopes to talk her friend out of marriage, she is kidnapped by a real alien. Along the way, they acquire an eclectic band including a con-man, another UFO-nut, a little old lady who turns out to be a professional gambler, and vacationing gentlemen who loves Westerns. Communication with the alien occurs through closed captioned old western movies. Everything then gets a bit more complicated, but thunderstorms turn out to be the focus of interest.

Willis crafts a fun tale with a quirky band of humans trying to help a wayward alien. There’s a bit of a Men in Black motif thrown in, but for the most part, Francie is someone who is a great friend and will always lend a hand to help someone in need. The alien communication problems are handled well with a western theme to the alien’s responses adding humor along the way.

The narration is excellent with very good character distinction. Pacing is smooth and a bit brisk.

A Fun Romp

Willis’ most fun book since To Say Nothing of the Dog! Starts out like a realistic adventure, but soon turns pretty wild. Lots of fun.

Story is missing something

As I listened I kept expecting more from the plot and characters. It is not a fully developed story.

yes yes yes

Connie Willis at her best. This is as wonderful as "To Say Nothing of the Dog" and "Bellwether"

Endearing Road Trip

You never know what’s going to happen with Connie Willis. This is definitely not in the style of Black Out/All Clear and The Doomsday Book! But so what? It’s great fun and engaging. I grew up in and around the Four Corners region and later every summer we drove back along Rte 66 to visit grandparents in Albuquerque, so it’s fun to take a road trip with these characters. They are unique and also familiar. When I finished listening, I spent a couple of days wondering what I wanted to listen to next and finally decided I wanted to listen to it again. I wasn’t quite ready to move on yet!

Narrator is great. Enthusiast but never getting confused about which voice she should be using.

Can’t go wrong with a Connie Willis story.

…and audio performance does light hearted story justice. In the lighterhearted part of Willis’s work, which is always well crafted joy.

Enjoyable story

Wonderfully humorous with intertwining of alien visitation theories, Western imagery and likable off planet visitors