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Kaethe's Reviews > The Road to Roswell
The Road to Roswell
by
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Kaethe's review
bookshelves: humor, fiction, movies, adventure, aliens, caper, cheerful-mood, contemporary, fandom, filmmaking, first-contact, friendship, lost-in-space, mother-nature-strikes, rom-com, scifi, skepticism, strong-smart-female-protagonist, usa, western
Apr 03, 2023
bookshelves: humor, fiction, movies, adventure, aliens, caper, cheerful-mood, contemporary, fandom, filmmaking, first-contact, friendship, lost-in-space, mother-nature-strikes, rom-com, scifi, skepticism, strong-smart-female-protagonist, usa, western
03 April, 2023
I was trying to find out if an author tour is planned, so I could pick up a hardcover copy from a local bookstore nearish hosting an event where I could say "I love your work" and get a copy signed. Did not find. Checked the publisher website and saw "Category: Romance."
WTH? To be clear, I read a lot of romance, so I am not ragging on the idea. I just can't reconcile having only one Category tag for an author with crossover appeal. But also: did anyone in marketing look at that cover? That cover says "for fans of
and
, and
" That cover says humorous scifi, not Romance.
Am I wrong?
***
4th July, 2023
And today I finished reading it, coincidentally over the July fourth weekend during which I also saw Asteroid City. Not the only good time to read it, but pretty good.
The book is better than "pretty good" by a lot. Classic screwball comedy which does require a little love interest, but is more about putting sane people in a maelstrom of amusing absurdity for comic effect. Willis is brilliant at that maelstrom. And at the cinematic references. So many movies are named checked, that one should probably not read it without an interest in movies. A delightful read, and one lending itself to dream casting: there aren't any bad choices no matter when or where the cast is selected.
Personal copy
I was trying to find out if an author tour is planned, so I could pick up a hardcover copy from a local bookstore nearish hosting an event where I could say "I love your work" and get a copy signed. Did not find. Checked the publisher website and saw "Category: Romance."
WTH? To be clear, I read a lot of romance, so I am not ragging on the idea. I just can't reconcile having only one Category tag for an author with crossover appeal. But also: did anyone in marketing look at that cover? That cover says "for fans of
and
, and
" That cover says humorous scifi, not Romance.Am I wrong?
***
4th July, 2023
And today I finished reading it, coincidentally over the July fourth weekend during which I also saw Asteroid City. Not the only good time to read it, but pretty good.
The book is better than "pretty good" by a lot. Classic screwball comedy which does require a little love interest, but is more about putting sane people in a maelstrom of amusing absurdity for comic effect. Willis is brilliant at that maelstrom. And at the cinematic references. So many movies are named checked, that one should probably not read it without an interest in movies. A delightful read, and one lending itself to dream casting: there aren't any bad choices no matter when or where the cast is selected.
Personal copy
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Reading Progress
March 6, 2023
– Shelved as:
to-read
March 6, 2023
– Shelved
July 3, 2023
–
Started Reading
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
humor
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
fiction
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
movies
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
adventure
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
aliens
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
caper
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
cheerful-mood
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
contemporary
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
fandom
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
filmmaking
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
first-contact
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
friendship
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
lost-in-space
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
mother-nature-strikes
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
rom-com
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
scifi
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
skepticism
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
strong-smart-female-protagonist
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
usa
July 4, 2023
– Shelved as:
western
July 4, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-11 of 11 (11 new)
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message 1:
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WhiskeyintheJar
(new)
Apr 04, 2023 08:54AM
Not wrong, I would have thought travel log book.
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WhiskeyintheJar wrote: "Not wrong, I would have thought travel log book."Oh, sure, that seems right.
I loathe that cover. It actually says cringe-trying-to-be-funny science fiction fluff piece. I know Connie Willis rights better than that, so either the publisher/artist are trying to sabotage the book or it really is a cringe-worthy-sci-fi-romance-comedy. ¯\_(�)_/¯
I loathe that cover. It actually says cringe-trying-to-be-funny science fiction fluff piece. I know Connie Willis writes better than that, so either the publisher/artist are trying to sabotage the book or it really is a cringe-worthy-sci-fi-romance-comedy. ¯\_(�)_/¯
Elentarri wrote: "I loathe that cover. It actually says cringe-trying-to-be-funny science fiction fluff piece. I know Connie Willis writes better than that, so either the publisher/artist are trying to sabotage the ..."Right? She's a freaking Grand Master!
I just read the book, and it's definitely not a romance book. There is a very small side plot romance, but it's minor
I agree about the weird categorization! I'm also confused that I tried two different local bookstores before special ordering at a third: nobody was carrying it or had even heard of it! It wasn't in their new release newsletters. Seems odd for such a popular author.
Sarah wrote: "I agree about the weird categorization! I'm also confused that I tried two different local bookstores before special ordering at a third: nobody was carrying it or had even heard of it! It wasn't i..."While I am in one way relieved to know it wasn't just me, I am also deeply disturbed that the book release hasn't gotten more support. Willis deserves more and better. Willis is graceful and kind even when someone has been unforgivably awful. As fond as I am of her books, I can't stop feeling like it's disrespectful to her as a person not to have made a better effort.
How odd: I'm not sure I've ever respected anyone before. Rather the reverse really.
Kaethe wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I agree about the weird categorization! I'm also confused that I tried two different local bookstores before special ordering at a third: nobody was carrying it or had even heard of i..."I agree. She's a terrific person, and I want to know she's being treated well by her publishers.
Look at us being all quietly concerned and not at all like an outraged mob.
Connie Willis is a ridiculously adorable human being and would be delighted to autograph your copy, I’m sure. You just have to find her (hint: chain coffee shop in Greeley CO).
