Lo mejor de Connie Willis I

by Connie Willis

Paper Book, 2008

Status

Checked out

Call number

813.54

Genres

Science Fiction

All Topics

Fiction

Publication

Barcelona Ediciones B 2008

Description

Classic Literature. Fiction. Science Fiction. Short Stories. HTML:Few authors have had careers as successful as that of Connie Willis. Inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and recently awarded the title of Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Willis is still going strong. Her smart, heartfelt fiction runs the gamut from screwball comedy to profound tragedy, combining dazzling plot twists, cutting-edge science, and unforgettable characters. From a near future mourning the extinction of dogs to an alternate history in which invading aliens were defeated by none other than Emily Dickinson; from a madcap convention of bumbling quantum physicists in Hollywood to a London whose Underground has become a storehouse of intangible memories both foul and fair�here are the greatest stories of one of the greatest writers working in any genre today. All ten of the stories gathered here are Hugo or Nebula award winners�some even have the distinction of winning both. With a new Introduction by the author and personal afterwords to each story�plus a special look at three of Willis�s unique public speeches�this is unquestionably the collection of the season, a book that every Connie Willis fan will treasure, and, to those unfamiliar with her work, the perfect introduction to one of the most accomplished and best-loved writers of our time. Praise for The Best of Connie Willis �Filled with warmth and sadness, great drama, witty dialogue, characters you will care about and moments that you will remember for a long time.��SFF World �If anyone can be named �best science fiction writer of the age,� it�s Connie Willis, and these stories are the best of her best. Truly.��Analog �Ranging from the hilarious to the profound, these stories show the full range of [Connie] Willis�s talent for taut, dazzling plots, real science, memorable characters, penetrating dialogue and blistering drama.��Kirkus Reviews �Thank goodness [for] Connie Willis, who says many things that desperately need saying in more than one delightful way.��Milwaukee Journal Sentinel �The Best of Connie Willis? Isn�t that like sorting through diamonds?��Lytherus.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member tsmom1219

I love Connie Willis' short stories. This collection is uniformly excellent, which isn't surprising when you consider that they're all award-winning stories. Even if you aren't a fan of science fiction, I highly recommend these. Willis' writing style is uncommonly clear and compelling. In addition,

her introduction provides insight into the writers who influenced her. This would be a great compilation to use in an English class.

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LibraryThing member TheLostEntwife

My exposure to Connie Willis has been, primarily, through the Blackout/All Clear books which were, in turn, brought to my attention through the Nebula awards. I was fascinated by the time travel aspect, especially when it coincided with another fascination of mine - WWII stories. So, when the

opportunity came to me to read some of Willis's short stories, I immediately grabbed the chance and ran with it. What I found was a mind that felt... well, like a kindred spirit to me, to borrow a favorite phrase of Anne Shirley's that Connie Willis also loved.

The rest of this review can be read at The Lost Entwife on July 15, 2013.

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LibraryThing member rivkat

Free review copy. Reading a bunch of Willis’s well-known stories together, including The Last of the Winnebagos and Even the Queen, the word I most want to use is “kind.” Standard characters are oblivious to other people—sometimes harmfully so, when they’re the antagonists, and one of

them really takes mansplaining to a whole new level in a story about choirs and uncommunicative, disapproving aliens. But ultimately the antagonists are silly rather than evil; fundamental conflicts of values appear as, essentially, mistakes. (This is, I think, why Willis’s fascination with the London Blitz involves a portion of the war where bombs just drop from the sky, faceless; she doesn’t have to deal with the bombers when the enemy is Death.) Wouldn’t it be pretty if it were true? Also included are three speeches for awards ceremonies; Willis’s love for books and the hope they offer did make me tear up.

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LibraryThing member lavaturtle

I've enjoyed a lot of Connie Willis's other work, so I was excited to pick this one up.

Some of my favorite pieces from this collection were ones I'd read before: Inside Job and Fire Watch. I also quite liked "Even the Queen", "At the Rialto", and "Death on the Nile". "All Seated on the Ground" was

cute.

I read a lot of this book during one airplane ride, and occasionally the characters in all the stories blur together -- the irritating friend, the relative who won't listen to the main character, the dog. But overall it's a fun assortment. Also, the afterwards and forwards and introductions, etc. are definitely worth reading.

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LibraryThing member SESchend

Even if you've read most or all of these stories before, this collection's worth reading for Willis' notes and comments on her own works AND the speeches she gave (and didn't give but had prepared) for the Nebulas. All great writing that makes me respect her as one of the best writers out there,

regardless of genre pigeonholes.

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LibraryThing member mrgan

Love is not a 5/5 emotion: it's possible to love a "very good" book.

LibraryThing member underpope

Lovely stories (especially "The Last of the Winnebagos") that everyone, even those not interested in science fiction, should read. My particular favorite was "Death on the Nile".

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