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leebill's review against another edition
3.0
Actually, I could not finish it...had just read another one by her and needed to take a break. Good author though
verkisto's review against another edition
4.0
Ms. Willis has done a lot of research into the bombings of London during World War II. This is evident through her inclusion of three (three!) different stories in this collection that have some connection to that theme. “The Winds of Marble Arch” is one; “Night Watch” is another; and “Jack” rounds out that triptych of stories.
Now, am I complaining? Heck no! Ms. Willis is a fine, extraordinary writer, and she has a knack for writing stories that are a lot like those zany romantic comedies from the 1950s. But she really shines and shows her talents when she tackles serious subjects, like war, sexuality, humanity, and religion. And the fact that these three stories all center on the same central theme, yet still manage to be very different stories with very different tones, just goes to show that when you’re reading a Connie Willis book, you’re sure to be impressed.
It is impossible for me to give this collection of her short stories an objective review, because Ms. Willis is one of my favorite authors. It’s very, very difficult to pick a favorite story from the collection, because they’re all so very, very good. I love her screwball romantic comedy stories, and I love that she manages to incorporate hard science into those stories, sometimes even going so far as to incorporate that science into the characters of those stories (you’ll just have to read “At the Rialto” and “Blued Moon” to understand what I mean). I also love her heavier stories, especially “Night Watch,” which I really think should be made into a movie (and considering how aggravated I get with Hollywood’s habit of adapting something that is already a success instead of creating something original, that’s saying something). “All His Darling Daughters” is just about the darkest, most disturbing story I’ve read, but I still find something very significant in the story to tell people, “You have to read this!” She has some gentler stories in there, as well, including her Christmas stories (”Epiphany” and “Inn” are touching stories of faith and perseverance), a tribute to a fellow science-fiction author who inspired her (”Nonstop to Portales”), a back-handed tribute to Emily Dickinson (”The Soul Selects Her Own Society…”), and a satirical, clever story of aliens, romance, and holiday newsletters (”Newsletter”). Really, I can’t think of a single dud story in the collection. Some had more of an impact than others, but none are bad, and each one of them had something important to say.
If you’ve already experienced Doomsday Book, Bellwether, To Say Nothing of the Dog, or Lincoln’s Dreams, then it won’t take any more prodding from me to get you to read this book (be forewarned, though, that you’ll see a lot of reprinted stories here, but they’re all worth re-reading, that’s for certain). If you haven’t discovered the wonder that is Connie Willis, though, I could think of no other better place to start than with The Winds of Marble Arch.
Now, am I complaining? Heck no! Ms. Willis is a fine, extraordinary writer, and she has a knack for writing stories that are a lot like those zany romantic comedies from the 1950s. But she really shines and shows her talents when she tackles serious subjects, like war, sexuality, humanity, and religion. And the fact that these three stories all center on the same central theme, yet still manage to be very different stories with very different tones, just goes to show that when you’re reading a Connie Willis book, you’re sure to be impressed.
It is impossible for me to give this collection of her short stories an objective review, because Ms. Willis is one of my favorite authors. It’s very, very difficult to pick a favorite story from the collection, because they’re all so very, very good. I love her screwball romantic comedy stories, and I love that she manages to incorporate hard science into those stories, sometimes even going so far as to incorporate that science into the characters of those stories (you’ll just have to read “At the Rialto” and “Blued Moon” to understand what I mean). I also love her heavier stories, especially “Night Watch,” which I really think should be made into a movie (and considering how aggravated I get with Hollywood’s habit of adapting something that is already a success instead of creating something original, that’s saying something). “All His Darling Daughters” is just about the darkest, most disturbing story I’ve read, but I still find something very significant in the story to tell people, “You have to read this!” She has some gentler stories in there, as well, including her Christmas stories (”Epiphany” and “Inn” are touching stories of faith and perseverance), a tribute to a fellow science-fiction author who inspired her (”Nonstop to Portales”), a back-handed tribute to Emily Dickinson (”The Soul Selects Her Own Society…”), and a satirical, clever story of aliens, romance, and holiday newsletters (”Newsletter”). Really, I can’t think of a single dud story in the collection. Some had more of an impact than others, but none are bad, and each one of them had something important to say.
If you’ve already experienced Doomsday Book, Bellwether, To Say Nothing of the Dog, or Lincoln’s Dreams, then it won’t take any more prodding from me to get you to read this book (be forewarned, though, that you’ll see a lot of reprinted stories here, but they’re all worth re-reading, that’s for certain). If you haven’t discovered the wonder that is Connie Willis, though, I could think of no other better place to start than with The Winds of Marble Arch.
mmz's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not usually a big fan of short stories, but of course I'll read anything Connie Willis writes. Even the ones that have been published before are fun to read again. I was thrilled to see "Firewatch" included in this collection, and felt the ending as strongly this time as I did the first time I read it. Other stories, like "Blued Moon" and "At the Rialto" carry Willis' trademark corporate stupidity and mangled language, but others, like "A Letter from the Clearys" and "Nonstop to Portales" are so subtly written, it's both a joy (because you can finally see how well Willis works her craft) and a sorrow (because the story's over!). Some endings are a bit overdone (title-story "The Winds of Marble Arch", "The Last of the Winnebagos"). Others endings are a bit muddled ("The Curse of Kings", "Daisy, In the Sun", "Cash Crop"), but some endings ("All My Darling Daughters") are all too clear. The inclusion of such hilarious gems as "Even the Queen" and especially "The Soul Selects Her Own Society..." (pay attention to the footnotes!) more than make up for any flaws. Overall, the collection is a must-read for any Willis fans, and anyone else who just wants to read a broad collection of well-done stories.
smohundro's review against another edition
3.0
Connie Willis is one of my favorite authors, so this was a no-brainer for me to read. Unfortunately, it's a compilation of existing stories, most of which are in other collections already, so I'd read a lot of it already. I do hear that she's working on a new book (or further along than I'd last heard) set in the world of my favorite novels of hers (the time travel stories), so this will have to tide me over until then.
chgoange's review against another edition
This is one BIG book of short stories. I have a feeling I'm going to hit my renewal limit on this one before I'm finished with it.
Damn! Someone else wants it!
Damn! Someone else wants it!
bentimmo's review against another edition
3.0
There were some brilliant stories in this collection, but there were also some distinctly average ones. Overall, an enjoyable read.
epictetsocrate's review
3.0
Adevărul e că scriitorii nu se pricep să scrie despre propriile lor cărţi. Sunt fie extrem de încrezuţi, spunând lucruri de genul: „Inteligenţa sclipitoare care mă caracterizează iese cel mai bine în evidenţă în uimitoarea mea povestire intitulată «Ipotenuza în nădragi sexy» “, fie dau dovadă de un insuportabil sentimentalism prefăcut: „Pisica mea Ootsywootums mi-a dat întotdeauna cele mai bune idei, nu-i aşa, miausum?”
Sau ne spun lucruri pe care NU vrem să le ştim despre modul şi circumstanţele în care le-a venit ideea unei povestiri: „Într-o noapte de ianuarie, la o oră târzie, când mă chinuiau spasmele unei toxiinfecţii alimentare, m-am pomenit pe gresia rece de pe podeaua din baie, gândindu-mă…”
Toate acestea m-au dus la concluzia că scriitorilor ar trebui să li se permită să vorbească numai şi numai despre cărţile altora, nicidecum despre ale lor. Nu sunt nişte judecători corecţi ale propriilor scrieri. Mark Twain credea că Tom Sawyer e cel mai bun dintre romanele sale. Greşit. (Cu toate că scena în care Huck şi Tom merg la propria lor înmormântare e foarte reuşită.)
Iar locurile unde s-au înfiripat ideile celor mai multe povestiri nu sunt tocmai interesante. Eu am scris poveşti care mi-au venit în minte după un drum până la oficiul poştal sau după citirea greşită a unui afişier, sau după momentele petrecute în spatele unei maşini cu rulotă pe care n-o puteam depăşi şi care mergea cu opt kilometri pe oră. Sau după ce am ascultat, sau mai degrabă n-am ascultat, o predică plictisitoare. Şi asta nu mi s-a întâmplat numai mie. Povestirea lui P.G. Wodehouse „The Great Sermon Handicap” a fost evident inspirată de o predică deosebit de lungă şi de anostă, şi cine poate şti câte dintre capodoperele literaturii n-au fost create în acelaşi mod? Litera stacojie? În căutarea timpului pierdut? Lolita?
O dată mi-a venit o idee în timp ce mă uitam la General Hospital. S-a întâmplat în zilele de glorie ale lui Luke şi ale Laurei, când toată lumea îl credea mort pe Luke şi funeraliile lui aveau loc într-o discotecă (nu puneţi întrebări), şi el s-a furişat acolo să ia ceva şi a ascultat elogiile care i se aduceau, iar eu m-am gândit: „Ei, asta au furat-o din Tom Sawyer, şi apoi: „Păi, dacă ei au furat ideea, pot s-o fur şi eu.”
Sau ne spun lucruri pe care NU vrem să le ştim despre modul şi circumstanţele în care le-a venit ideea unei povestiri: „Într-o noapte de ianuarie, la o oră târzie, când mă chinuiau spasmele unei toxiinfecţii alimentare, m-am pomenit pe gresia rece de pe podeaua din baie, gândindu-mă…”
Toate acestea m-au dus la concluzia că scriitorilor ar trebui să li se permită să vorbească numai şi numai despre cărţile altora, nicidecum despre ale lor. Nu sunt nişte judecători corecţi ale propriilor scrieri. Mark Twain credea că Tom Sawyer e cel mai bun dintre romanele sale. Greşit. (Cu toate că scena în care Huck şi Tom merg la propria lor înmormântare e foarte reuşită.)
Iar locurile unde s-au înfiripat ideile celor mai multe povestiri nu sunt tocmai interesante. Eu am scris poveşti care mi-au venit în minte după un drum până la oficiul poştal sau după citirea greşită a unui afişier, sau după momentele petrecute în spatele unei maşini cu rulotă pe care n-o puteam depăşi şi care mergea cu opt kilometri pe oră. Sau după ce am ascultat, sau mai degrabă n-am ascultat, o predică plictisitoare. Şi asta nu mi s-a întâmplat numai mie. Povestirea lui P.G. Wodehouse „The Great Sermon Handicap” a fost evident inspirată de o predică deosebit de lungă şi de anostă, şi cine poate şti câte dintre capodoperele literaturii n-au fost create în acelaşi mod? Litera stacojie? În căutarea timpului pierdut? Lolita?
O dată mi-a venit o idee în timp ce mă uitam la General Hospital. S-a întâmplat în zilele de glorie ale lui Luke şi ale Laurei, când toată lumea îl credea mort pe Luke şi funeraliile lui aveau loc într-o discotecă (nu puneţi întrebări), şi el s-a furişat acolo să ia ceva şi a ascultat elogiile care i se aduceau, iar eu m-am gândit: „Ei, asta au furat-o din Tom Sawyer, şi apoi: „Păi, dacă ei au furat ideea, pot s-o fur şi eu.”
wealhtheow's review against another edition
4.0
I love Connie Willis, but her rapid-fire dialog and interweaving plots start to feel a little tiring after the fifth or sixth short story in a row. This is definitely not a book to read all in one week.