An index for locating stories

Any additional comments?

Other reviewers have provided helpful annotations of the stories. This is simply an index of the location of the individual stories on this audiobook for those who need an easy way to locate a particular story. Note that each story is followed by an afterward written by the author; these times include the afterword for each work.

Introduction: 0 – 17:10
A Letter from the Clearys: 17:17 – 50:30
At the Rialto: 50:34 – 1:50:25
Death on the Nile 1:50:32 – 3:01:36
The Soul Selects Her Own Society: 3:01:38 – 3:27
Fire Watch: 3: 27:44 – 5:13:45
Inside Job: 5:13:50 – 8:05:53
Even the Queen: 8:05:56 – 8:50
[INTERRUPTION. excerpt from “The Winds of Marble Arch” 8:50 – 9:02]
Even the Queen Afterword: 9:02 – 9:06:13
The Winds of Marble Arch: 9:06:14 – 11:18:45
All Seated on the Ground 11:18: 47 –
The Last of the Winnebagos 13:59:15 – 16:05:50
Editor’s Note 16:05: 52 – 16:06:27
2006 Worldcon Guest of Honor Speech: 16:06:30 – 16:29:57
Grand Master Backup Speech(never given): 16:30 – 16:42:47
Grand Master Acceptance Speech:16:42:52 – 16: 50:48

75 people found this helpful

Probably the best short story collection ever

The title space doesn't allow me to write my whole title: Probably the best short story collection I've ever heard. And certainly the one I've enjoyed the most.

I usually dislike short story collections because they seem to be all depressing and incomplete. These short stories feel just like small, complete books. Connie Willis is so talented and so good at crafting interesting, surprising situations and complex, lifelike characters. I can't get enough.

This collection also includes short messages from the author after each story. I loved these, particularly the one that talked about how she became a successful author. Inspirational and fascinating.

One qualm with the audiobook: My tracks were out of order for parts of two stories--the numbers were in order, but the reading jumped from the end of one story to the middle of "The Winds of Marble Arch" and then put in the afterward to the earlier story before jumping back to the start of the "Winds:. I'm still a little confused about "The first (middle) track I heard form Winds, but since everything else made sense, I didn't worry about it.

21 people found this helpful

Truly the best of Connie Willis

Where does The Best of Connie Willis rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've been a huge fan of Connie Willis since I read Doomsday Book over a decade ago. I've read most of her novels, but never got around to running down her shorter works, which evidently was a huge mistake.I repeatedly found myself laughing, then crying, then laughing again. I can not recommend this collection enough.

4 people found this helpful

Connie Willis rocks!

Connie Willis writes SF from a firm foundation in the classics, both in SF and literature more generally. the stories span the whole range of human emotion; but several in this collection are incredibly amusing. Inside Job and Even the Queen stand out as seriously funny. However, Willis is not just amusing. She is profound and humane and clever. This collection is simply outstanding, and well read.

3 people found this helpful

The best short stories by a great SF writer

I think many people like Connie Willis, even if they don't like Science Fiction. She's a very good story teller. Much of her work is almost more historical fiction than science fiction (which may be good for folks who find science fiction too absurd/outlandish). If you are looking to sample the genre, this would be a good place to start. My personal favorites here are Fire Watch, Inside Job, and All Seated on the Ground. I think most fiction fans would find those stories entertaining.

3 people found this helpful

Not at all what I had hoped for

I thought I was going to get some great SF short stories. What I got was a long-winded oration from the author about her history and odd things like her relationship to Shakespeare. It took a long time to wade through this (way, way too long) and then the stories were, in my opinion, just so-so. I will not be running to read something from this author again anytime soon.

3 people found this helpful

A Bit Too Unusual

Would you try another book from Connie Willis and/or the narrators?

This was my first encounter with this author and she is a bit too "quirky" for my taste, although I do like her humor. I would probably not try another of her books.

Was The Best of Connie Willis worth the listening time?

Some of the stories were engaging; others not so much.

3 people found this helpful

Tremendously enjoyable and varied. As expected.

Listen to speeches at the end first. After that you're all in. Enjoy every bit.

1 person found this helpful

excellent

excellent way to get to know this witty, whimsical, imaginative writer. fun characters, interesting situations and always a bit of odd humor

1 person found this helpful

Surprisingly fantastic

This collection kept me amused all week through what would otherwise have been mind numbing boredom as I plodded through a time consuming upholstery project.