Doomsday Book

By: Connie Willis

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 26 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the most respected and awarded of all contemporary science-fiction writers, Connie Willis repeatedly amazes her many admiring fans with her ability to create vivid characters in unusual situations. With Doomsday Book, she takes listeners on a thrilling trip through time to discover the things that make us most human.

For Oxford student Kivrin, traveling back to the 14th century is more than the culmination of her studies - it's the chance for a wonderful adventure. For Dunworthy, her mentor, it is cause for intense worry about the thousands of things that could go wrong. When an accident leaves Kivrin trapped in one of the deadliest eras in human history, the two find themselves in equally gripping - and oddly connected - struggles to survive.

Deftly juggling stories from the 14th and 21st centuries, Willis provides thrilling action - as well as an insightful examination of the things that connect human beings to each other.

©1992 Connie Willis (P)2000 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1993
• Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1992

"Ms. Willis displays impressive control of her material; virtually every detail introduced in the early chapters is made to pay off as the separate threads of the story are brought together." (The New York Times Book Review)
"A stunning novel that encompasses both suffering and hope....The best work yet from one of science fiction's best writers." (The Denver Post)

It’s the Brit’s turn

I am sure the Brits cringe at our vernacular and accents. The incessant abbreviated/truncated words like “vid” and “corder” were off putting for me, however I got past it and was able to stay with the story. The narrator had difficulty with changing accents and character changes but for the most part made it believable. It held my attention and I enjoyed it.

Be alert to the title

This is a surprising book in many ways.
It is not a typical sci-fi book, though uses time travel as background.
And really narrates all the things that could happen in a day that is doomed, so be prepared for a downer.
I am not particularly fond of this kind of story, but could not put this book down. Connie Willis really deserved the awards for this piece.
And the performance was very good. Not being a native speaking, I was afraid at first of the British accent, but it gave a nice touch to this sensitive narration.
Thank you

I loved it!

I purchased this book by accident. what a happy one it was indeed. Time travel, modern day science and the Black Plague! One would have thought that the mic would produce an odd story but somehow it all worked seamlessly.

Well-Constructed and Engaging Time Travel Read

Connie Willis is a skillful author. The Doomsday Book is well-contructed and Willis allows the reader to keep just enough distance from the narration so that the story can be experienced, yet not lived. For some books, I really prefer being completely swept away and immersed so that I live the story right along with the characters. However, in this case, I am grateful for the deliberate symmetry and literary constructs that allow me to enjoy a tale that in another form might be unbearable. ( I think of "Year of Wonders" here which, in my view, was a more harrowing read).

Willis' vision of Oxford in the near future seems humorously accurate. Of course, we will still have academic squabbles, public transit, bars, Christmas traditions and church. Her sharp eye for detail is gratifying.

Jenny Sterlin's narration is quite good, my only grip being that the audio occasionally fades out for no reason.

All in all, this is a solid, well-written book for fans of SF and mystery who like having something left to think about after their reading is done.

Very immersive story.

Great story and makes you feel like you've gone back in time also. just very slow narration. I had to bump up the speed to 1.3x to make it enjoyable. Overall good!

Well worth the cost!

The story, the narration and the premise was very entertaining. The characters develop well and are easy to follow.

A Must Read!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, definitely! It has a terrific plot and characters. Ms. Willis has hit a homerun with this time travel story.

What other book might you compare Doomsday Book to and why?

The Outlander series.

Which scene was your favorite?

All of the scenes involving Agnes and Collin.

A little bit disappointed

Would you listen to Doomsday Book again? Why?

Maybe I would listen to this audiobook again, because I sometimes like to listen to already known stories, but if, then certainly not in any near future.

What did you like best about this story?

The story itself was good enough but it really could have been told in much few pages. I can even imagine much better short story made from it. Written as it is, it is a little bit tedious and artificially lenghty.

What does Jenny Sterlin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Without the narrator I wouldn't know how the middle english sounds (or is supposed to sound). On the other side her latin is ugly.

Any additional comments?

It was worth the money for purchasing this audiobook, but I also think Hugo and Nebula awards dropped their standards here...

Live through Middle Ages

What made the experience of listening to Doomsday Book the most enjoyable?

I always look for some new ways to experience history. This book was different due to time travel and I enjoyed no nonsense "British" approach of the characters. Accents also was interesting detail.

What did you like best about this story?

Time travel let author put character in the village with multiple age groups and different social standings. I could se life for each of them during plaig.

Any additional comments?

It's a bit long to my taste. I listed it witching 1 week nevertheless.

good story, slow telling

wonderful story concept. very slow in the telling. enjoyed the parallel characters from past to present and the idea that people are rarely in control of the big things in life.