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141st out of 186 books
—
183 voters
Bellwether
Pop culture, chaos theory, and matters of the heart collide in this unique novella from the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of Doomsday Book. Sandra Foster studies fads and their meanings for the HiTek corporation. Bennett O'Reilly works with monkey-group behavior and chaos theory for the same company. When the two are thrust together due to a misdelivered package and...more
Audiobook
Published
February 1st 2009
by Blackstone Audio, Inc.
(first published 1996)
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My main problem with Connie Willis books is that they usually have great characters and an interesting plot, but are thick with too much narrative padding, typically in the form of "funny bits" about bureaucratic incompetence and miscommunication due to mishaps with modern technology, and exhaustively-researched recitation of facts tangentially related to the story (famous last words and the Titanic disaster in Passage; facts of life during the Blitz in Blackout/All Clear; etc.). I go back and f...more
This is a formulaic love story set in what is supposed to be a research institution. The author has clearly done a lot of reading and found a lot of trivia about fads, and drops short infobites about fads in history into the text throughout. Unfortunately the plot moves slowly, the writing is competent in a breezey way and the researchers don't appear to do any real research. As a researcher myself I was disappointed in the shallow portrayal of science. Apart from the rather unlikely ways in whi...more
Interesting read -- light, but full of tidbits about fads and how scientific discoveries were made that would be interesting even without the underlying story.
This one is definitely a new member of my "top ten books of all time" list. It was so well written on various levels. I loved the historical facts about fads and how it was a true science-fiction. This was one of those books that reinforced a way of thinking about our culture that I could never have articulated with so much humor and accuracy. Plus, the character Flip is...wow.
I'm not sure this really belongs under speculative fiction, but I found it in the SF/F section in Waterstones, so it'll do. Nor is it exactly humour -- it's humorous, but I don't think that's the main feature of the book. It's also not a romance, even though there is romance in it. In fact, I'm not entirely sure what it is, altogether.
I did enjoy it, all the way through, which is a step up for me when it comes to Connie Willis. (I found The Domesday Book painful when it comes to pacing, but good...more
I did enjoy it, all the way through, which is a step up for me when it comes to Connie Willis. (I found The Domesday Book painful when it comes to pacing, but good...more
Feb 17, 2013
Pam Frost Gorder
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction,
fiction
Fans of William Gibson's "Pattern Recognition" will see a lot of similarity here, in that our heroine is working to understand the evolution of trends in human society. And fans of "Office Space" will see a lot of similarity between that movie's Initech company and our heroine's Hi-Tek laboratory. The blend is sometimes laugh-out-loud funny.
Some Hi-Tek employees' names are allegories -- one incompetent assistant is named "Desiderata" and another "Flip" (for the frequent flip of her hair, or, as...more
Some Hi-Tek employees' names are allegories -- one incompetent assistant is named "Desiderata" and another "Flip" (for the frequent flip of her hair, or, as...more
It turns out that this is a romance, but I didn't know it until the end. This is a quirky little parody of scientists working in a corporate setting, beleaguered by a crazily incompetent office assistant that keeps the whole building in turmoil. I really enjoyed the main characters and the asides about each of their projects (chaos theory and the birth/death cycle of fads). The science is presented in a easy to digest way. The characters are human and funny and realistic. Those of us that work i...more
Bellwether is a satire of fads and office culture and a romantic comedy, but it didn’t really seem like a science fiction story. The story is much lighter, shorter and more carefree than many of Willis’ other novels, but her style was still here in full force. There’s no time-traveling Oxford (as in Doomsday Book, To Say Nothing of the Dog, etc.), but her characters still come up against irritating minor characters, minor frustrations, and ridiculous bureaucracy. The focus on fads, and some of t...more
This story examines the origins of trends via a scientist named Sandra in the midst of a mostly incompetent office staff and a hindering human resources department.
Sandra seems to be on the brink of discovering what causes odd behavior to catch fire and become trendy, but every time she gets close to a breakthrough she is foiled by the chaos of the office and one errand girl in particular.
In Connie Willis’s typical style, characters run around trying to solve problems, just missing each other w...more
Sandra seems to be on the brink of discovering what causes odd behavior to catch fire and become trendy, but every time she gets close to a breakthrough she is foiled by the chaos of the office and one errand girl in particular.
In Connie Willis’s typical style, characters run around trying to solve problems, just missing each other w...more
a fun read that is not popcorn.
it's not popcorn because Willis does an interesting thing: she tells you a lot about chaos theory and statistical analyses while keeping you very, very amused about Cerenkov blue, and Barbies, and sheep.
this novel should be a foundation work for writers studying how to incorporate science into their fiction without being boring about it.
so! the plot. our heroine is a researcher named Sandy. she is studying fads--how they begin, bow they spread, in an effort to un...more
it's not popcorn because Willis does an interesting thing: she tells you a lot about chaos theory and statistical analyses while keeping you very, very amused about Cerenkov blue, and Barbies, and sheep.
this novel should be a foundation work for writers studying how to incorporate science into their fiction without being boring about it.
so! the plot. our heroine is a researcher named Sandy. she is studying fads--how they begin, bow they spread, in an effort to un...more
Parts of this were very funny, but like so much of Willis' work the book went on too long and the situations that were funny in the first chapters weren't so funny the third or fourth time they were repeated, almost unchanged, further on in the book.
Willis shows a fine understanding of the workplace ethos of the late 1980s, and skewers it masterfully. Her rundown of various fads of the 60s-90s is mostly spot on. But, as in Passages, the "science" that forms the core of the story is utterly sill...more
Willis shows a fine understanding of the workplace ethos of the late 1980s, and skewers it masterfully. Her rundown of various fads of the 60s-90s is mostly spot on. But, as in Passages, the "science" that forms the core of the story is utterly sill...more
Oct 04, 2011
Janessa
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
social-commentary,
science
This book was interesting although there was nothing quite fantastical about it even though I found it in the science fiction/fantasy section. Because of finding it in this section for the first part of the book I was waiting for something fantastical to happen but when it never did I just got into the book and enjoyed it for what it was. What it ended up being was a book whose plot centered around two scientists, one who was working on chaos theory and the other who was studying trends and fads...more
I read the first chapter or so of Bellwether in some sci-fi compilation back when it first came out, and finally got around to the actual book. I wish I'd thought to read it back then; not for its own sake, per se, but because it's a good example of her strengths and weaknesses, and would probably have gotten me to read To Say Nothing of the Dog and Doomsday Book earlier. I'd really rate this 3.5, but I'm rounding up because I do like Connie Willis quite a bit.
It's a fun book: Willis is expert...more
It's a fun book: Willis is expert...more
Aug 11, 2011
Karin
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science,
sheep,
chaos-theory,
adult-fiction,
fads,
sociology,
funny,
borrowed-from-the-library
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
My score here mostly reflects my grumpiness at the book not being what I expected. Since I found it the sci-fi section of my local library, since the covers, front and back, laud Willis' Hugo and Nebula wins, I was expecting a sci-fi. (In fact, this book was itself nominated for a Nebula, which I can't say I agree with. It's not exactly a bad book, but it's certainly not science-fiction.) Instead, what I got was part satire, part sociology (on human trends), and, for the largest part, a screwbal...more
This slim volume is packed with amazing writing. Some will argue that it is not Science Fiction, but I think that this is the best kind of science fiction...it sneaks up on you and darn it if you don't learn something and look at the world differently when you're done reading it!
Sandra Foster works for a corporation that employs scientists. Honestly, just reading the description of the staff meetings is enough to recommend the book. They are absurdly ridiculous. Sandra's job is to figure out how...more
Sandra Foster works for a corporation that employs scientists. Honestly, just reading the description of the staff meetings is enough to recommend the book. They are absurdly ridiculous. Sandra's job is to figure out how...more
Bellwether by Connie Willis is the story of a sociologist who specialises in fads and a biologist whose focus is chaos theory and monkey behavior. They work in two completely different realms but a misdelivered package and some terrible luck, mostly due to the strange and terrible office assistant Flip, they end up coming together on a joint project with a flock of sheep. Despite Flip’s continued ‘assistance’ and with the help of the assistant’s assistant, they both eventually find the answers t...more
I wanted this to be more. Carolina says that's my problem: I'm always imagining better versions of where the premise and promise could have gone and am strangely unforgiving when the author takes a more pedestrian route. It's just that I've seen books take fire, perfect, unexpected, glorious incandescent fire. It's hard to forget that sometimes.
Bellwether is very much a book of its time, riffing on the same observations as earlier books like Coupland's Generation X. What Willis does well: all o...more
Bellwether is very much a book of its time, riffing on the same observations as earlier books like Coupland's Generation X. What Willis does well: all o...more
Bellwether, by Connie Willis, narrated by Kate reading, produced by Blackstone Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
Sandra Foster Is a sociologist working for a high-tech corporation. Her project is to find trigger points for what starts a fad. The idea of course is to make those trigger points work for the company. Because she complained bitterly about an assistant who lost her a grant by losing her application, she ended up with Flip. Of course Flip is worse. Flip misdelivers a package to Sandra...more
Sandra Foster Is a sociologist working for a high-tech corporation. Her project is to find trigger points for what starts a fad. The idea of course is to make those trigger points work for the company. Because she complained bitterly about an assistant who lost her a grant by losing her application, she ended up with Flip. Of course Flip is worse. Flip misdelivers a package to Sandra...more
Prior to picking this up, I'd read and greatly enjoyed two of Willis' other books: To Say Nothing of the Dog and The Doomsday Book. However, despite the science fiction packaging, this one is a completely different kettle of fish -- and not in a good way. It's basically a run-of-the-mill romantic comedy blended with an unsuccessful social satire. The heroine is a sociologist working for some kind of research firm (how this firm actually makes money is entirely unclear) who is attempting to isola...more
Bellwether by Connie Willis is a book that is hard to categorize. (I'm always looking for something unusual to read, so for me its uniqueness is a great quality.) The plot Willis has given us primarily concerns the efforts of two scientists struggling to fill out funding forms. Of course the subtleties give us more and make for a book that is hysterical at times, but people who are looking for big, adventure stories are not going to like this one. However, fans of "The Office" or "Dilbert" would...more
It took about 100 pages into this novel about a young female scientist studying society's fads before I caught on that the characters showcase fads/trends themselves (so if you're a literal reader, like me, who is waiting for traditional plot and characters, this might help you in your approach to this book), and then it was amusing to pick out all the places where the author pokes fun at how ridiculous most trends are and our herd mentality at following them.
While the setting the author invents...more
While the setting the author invents...more
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This is a fun, light book that, to me, is a little too much with the romance and a little too light on the plot. The characters are absolutely awesome, though - Flip alone makes the book worth reading - and Willis's deft hand with humor (why, why oh why does she spend so much time writing things that aren't funny when she does funny this well?) makes it well worth not just reading but owning.
Plus, there are recalcitrant sheep. Who doesn't want to read a book with recalcitrant sheep?
Plus, there are recalcitrant sheep. Who doesn't want to read a book with recalcitrant sheep?
I have been meaning to read a Connie Willis book for a long time. First, because she's such a prominent, award winning author and second because she lives in Greeley, which is really close to where I live. I picked this one up from the library because it was available as a playaway device.
I'm really glad I checked it out because I enjoyed this story a lot. It was not at all what I was expecting. It's a cute, science-oriented chick flick, more fun than mind-bending. I also enjoyed being "in" on...more
I'm really glad I checked it out because I enjoyed this story a lot. It was not at all what I was expecting. It's a cute, science-oriented chick flick, more fun than mind-bending. I also enjoyed being "in" on...more
Three stars is an odd conclusion to arrive at when I hated virtually everyone except the two main characters. But I really enjoyed their interactions and their growing relationship. Even the science fun facts were enjoyable, since I've read entire books that essentially functioned as such.
But damn Willis seems to have her hackles up about young people. Everyone in this story under the age of 30 is rude, shallow, and a constant slave to trends. I get that it's probably supposed to be comedic, but...more
But damn Willis seems to have her hackles up about young people. Everyone in this story under the age of 30 is rude, shallow, and a constant slave to trends. I get that it's probably supposed to be comedic, but...more
Jan 27, 2011
Our Intrepid Heroine
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who has ever worked for corporate America
Recommended to Our Intrepid Heroine by:
Mom
I really wish Connie Willis wrote more humor because she's rather good at it. This one was much less complicated than my favorite of hers, To Say Nothing of the Dog, but it had just the right degree of silliness to tide me over.
Basic premise: Sandra, a scientist working for a company that doesn't really understand science, is thwarted by incompetent office staff and overzealous coworkers alike while trying to figure out what makes a fad catch on. Through hair bobbing, hoola hoops, flocks of she...more
Basic premise: Sandra, a scientist working for a company that doesn't really understand science, is thwarted by incompetent office staff and overzealous coworkers alike while trying to figure out what makes a fad catch on. Through hair bobbing, hoola hoops, flocks of she...more
This is one of those "comfort books" that I frequently reread. I was little surprised to realize today that Bellwether is over ten years old. Some of the trends and fads described do date it somewhat, but the big ones mentioned are the historical ones, like hair bobbing and the Hula Hoop. Almost everyone now has cell phones now. They were still enough of a novelty at the time of "Bellwether". Strangely very little else has changed. Corporate America is still changing policies and paperwork every...more
The first time I read this, I figured I was either lost or losing my mind, but I was torn between laughter and rueful recognition. Worth reading, re-reading, and re-re-reading.
Note: Gotta love a protagonist who checks classic books out from the library regularly, even when she doesn't have time to read them, so their circulation stats stay high enough to keep them on the shelf. Even more because I like the books she checks out :)
Note: Gotta love a protagonist who checks classic books out from the library regularly, even when she doesn't have time to read them, so their circulation stats stay high enough to keep them on the shelf. Even more because I like the books she checks out :)
Sandra Foster is in the midst of an important research project for HiTek Corporation: find out where fads come from. Unfortunately, Sandra constantly finds herself coming up against obstacles. Her assistant, Flip, seems unconsciously determined to sabotage her research, and HiTek’s endless barrage of team building exercises just take up more of her time. Does the key to determining the source of fads lie with Dr. Bennet O’Reilly, the scientist who’s even action seems to buck the most recent tren...more
Part of a review posted here.
I laughed my way through this entire book. Sandra is a wonderful character and narrator. Her knowledge of trends and her resultant distaste for them coupled with her practical common sense and snarky humor made it easy for me to identify with her and get caught up in the story. She is also a little clueless and mean-spirited at times but it all comes together wonderfully. The scary thing about this book is that Willis didn't have to over exaggerate most of the situat...more
I laughed my way through this entire book. Sandra is a wonderful character and narrator. Her knowledge of trends and her resultant distaste for them coupled with her practical common sense and snarky humor made it easy for me to identify with her and get caught up in the story. She is also a little clueless and mean-spirited at times but it all comes together wonderfully. The scary thing about this book is that Willis didn't have to over exaggerate most of the situat...more
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Constance Elaine Trimmer Willis is an American science fiction writer. She is one of the most honored science fiction writers of the 1980s and 1990s.
She has won, among other awards, ten Hugo Awards and six Nebula Awards. Willis most recently won a Hugo Award for All Seated on the Ground (August 2008). She was the 2011 recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award from the Science Ficti...more
More about Connie Willis...
She has won, among other awards, ten Hugo Awards and six Nebula Awards. Willis most recently won a Hugo Award for All Seated on the Ground (August 2008). She was the 2011 recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award from the Science Ficti...more
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“Why do only the awful things become fads? I thought. Eye-rolling and Barbie and bread pudding. Why never chocolate cheesecake or thinking for yourself?”
—
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“Management cares about only one thing. Paperwork. They will forgive almost anything else - cost overruns, gross incompetence, criminal indictments - as long as the paperwork's filled out properly. And in on time.”
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10 people liked it
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