Thank you CBR book-club for forcing me to read outside of my usual genres. I usually read 1-2 science fiction books a year to appease Mr. Beth Ellen (it’s his favorite genre), but he gets to choose them so it’s always to his taste. I really enjoyed reading further into the genre, especially as I’m a sucker for time travel into the past.
Doomsday book is two stories: it’s the story of Kirvin, an historian, traveling back to the 14th century to learn more about the times, and it’s 2054 with Mr. Dunworthy and those who sent her to the past. Obviously things do not go exactly as planned (the title makes sense). The parallels between the two stories are an interesting interplay between now and then.
What I really enjoyed was Ms. Willis’ world-building. It was very real, well rounded, and incredibly researched for the past. Just like the historians who travel back in time the meticulous detail that she went to to build a believable world without interrupting the past. It also felt completely separate from the “modern”ish current world, which was relatable but a little different.
What surprised me though was that I actually ended up preferring the modern time to the historical. I thought the characters were more interesting and layered, and their epidemic was slightly less depressing. I guessed the plot twist, but it was pretty heavily foreshadowed so I don’t know how much of a surprise it was. It just resulted in the past story being as absolutely depressing as possible. Also this book proved that I am truly a fuddy-duddy now. The entire first chapter was myself yelling at the characters to stop being so irresponsible about traveling to the past without proper precautions. Yeah, I’m Mr. Dunworthy, and I’m totally okay with that.
Overall, it was pretty good. It took a little bit to get going, but once it started rolling it was hard to put down. I also really look forward to discussing with others, especially as I can see it relating some to our book-club book from last year, Station Eleven.
Woo!! Still working on it myself: in the same boat as it isn’t my usual genre, but liking it so far!
I’m exactly half-way through as I type (what? I have a discussion topics post due tomorrow? pfft. That’s a deadline I made up, its cool.), and I find myself having very similar feelings to you.
So excited to discuss. two more weeks!