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Lots of us had been waiting for Connie Willis’ new book for years. And not in a “I wonder if she will write a new book?” type of way – we knew there was a book about time travel to the Blitz being written for YEARS. So when I found out that it had been split into two books, and that the second half wasn’t coming out until October, I had a cruel choice. Read half the book now, or wait until October to read it as one? But when Blackout arrived at home I knew I didn’t really have a choice. I couldn’t wait one more week, let alone months. And it was the right choice- I didn’t find the ending too abrupt, and now I have another Connie Willis to look forward to this year!

I enjoyed Blackout. It had lots of interesting sub-plots and intriguing hints about the larger story that is going on. The research felt like it was generally done well and integrated well into the story. I have found myself thinking about the characters and stories on and off for the last couple of weeks.

However, I don’t think it’s Willis’ best book. I think it could use serious editing to cut down the length, with some bits being quite repetitive. generalblossom pointed out that the world of 2060 feels more improbable now than it did in Doomsday Book, namely that no one seems to own any form of mobile communication device. It is also a bit irritating that precious historical research opportunities (each historian can only go back once to the same time) seem to be treated quite casually, with young researchers with fuzzy research agendas shooting off all over the place without much preparation.

But on balance the good definitely outweighed the negative. I’m looking forward to >All clear later this year - I hope it has a nice cover like Blackout!

Some quick thoughts on books I’ve read recently:

Popco by Scarlett Thomas. Alice is singled out by her large children’s toy company to create a new fad for teenage girls. While trying to understand her new task Alice is also trying to solve the mystery of a locket left to her by her grandfather, a coding genius. Scenes of scary insights into marketing for children are interspersed by Alice’s memory of herself as a young girl and teenager.

There were many great elements to this book but overall I don’t know that it really worked for me. I loved the whole code breaking aspect (I would have been a sucker for the children’s spy kit described in the book), Alice’s teen experiences rang true and there were lots of intriguing side stories. But I think some of the suspense in the book was let down by the various ensuing events. I also wasn’t convinced by Alice’s sudden conversion to understanding the evils of mass marketing/mass meat production etc. But I know other people found the story meaningful, so I might have been a bit hard on old Alice. I think rowana recommended this book to me – thanks Ro!

All seated on the ground by Connie Willis. Aliens have landed on Earth, but they just stand around looking disapproving. This was a fun novella by one of my favourite authors, with Christmas carols playing a large role, so I enjoyed reading it. But I admit I’m glad I hadn’t bought the expensive hardback as a lot of the themes and storytelling methods were reminiscent of other Willis stories and I’m hungry for something new.

Flora Segunda: Being the Magickal Mishaps of a Girl of Spirit, Her Glass- Gazing Sidekick, Two Ominous Butlers (One Blue), a House with Eleven Thousand Rooms, and a Red Dog by Ysabeau S. Wilce. Everyone has written about this book extensively over the last year so I won’t write too much (hee, that’s a good excuse isn’t it?). As the wonderful title suggests, Flora Segunda is set in a fantasy world crowded with colourful names and magical beings. Unfortunately things aren’t going so great for Flora – her mum is absent, her dad depressed and the magical butler that is supposed to look after Flora’s house has diminished and the whole place is collapsing around the family. But in the best tradition of a penny dreadful, the plot soon picks up and Flora is having adventures all over the place. I thought it was great fun. At times the characters seemed two-dimensional, but this might have been in comparison to the flamboyant setting and plot. I look forward to reading the sequel!

(which reminds me that I 1: actually saw the Bel Kaufman novel, UP THE DOWN STAIRCASE, for the first time in many years at the local Barnes & Noble amd 2: I had no idea Kaufman was the granddaughter of Sholom Aleichem. Without Aleichem, my life would be as shaky as a ... as... as a Fiddler on The Roof.) :}

In another reference to great moments in literature:

"Call me... KLUTZ." (Ishmael just left the building for a smoke.)

This was me a few hours ago (with a greateful nod of the head to the artist):

I'm bruised and battered on my shoulder and legs (Thanks, Bruce but otherwise fine. Walking as if I am dragging a sack of bricks attached to my right foot. I have no idea HOW I fell down the stairs but I did indeed know that Someone Save My Life Tonight and spared my leg (legs?) from breaking. The bathroom garbage bowl gouged my chest when I clutched it close to my chest as I did a Flying Nun and lost all sense of footing and balance. I never actually lost touch with the steps but instead of walking down them, I flew like a witch, unashamed of my new, awesome powers. {}