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To Say Nothing of the Dog summary
Brief summary
To Say Nothing of the Dog is a delightful time-traveling adventure by Connie Willis. Set in the 21st century, it follows historian Ned Henry as he jumps back and forth in time, trying to fix an incongruity in the space-time continuum.
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To Say Nothing of the Dog
Summary of key ideas
Time Travel, Mystery, and Comedy
In To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis, we are introduced to Ned Henry, a time traveler who is exhausted from his numerous trips between the 21st century and the 1940s. His mission is to find a specific object, a hideous Victorian vase called the 'bishop's bird stump', to restore the Coventry Cathedral. However, due to his fatigue, he is unable to remember the exact details of the vase, leading to a series of comedic mishaps.
Amidst this chaos, Ned is sent to the Victorian era by his boss, Lady Schrapnell, to correct an error in the timeline caused by another time traveler, Verity Kindle. In the past, he meets Terence St. Trewes, a quirky and eccentric Oxford scholar, and together they embark on a journey to find the missing vase. Their adventure is filled with hilarious misunderstandings and misadventures, including a boat trip on the Thames with a dog named Cyril.
Unraveling the Mystery
As Ned and Terence navigate through the Victorian era, they encounter a series of odd events and characters, including a mysterious woman named Tossie, her overbearing fiancé, and a cat named Princess Arjumand. Amidst these eccentricities, they slowly unravel the mystery of the missing vase and its connection to the timeline error. They also discover the importance of the 'Butterfly Effect' in time travel, where even the smallest actions can have significant consequences.
Meanwhile, back in the 21st century, Verity and another time traveler, Mr. Dunworthy, are trying to solve the same mystery. They are dealing with their own set of challenges, including Lady Schrapnell's relentless demands and the chaos caused by the time travel project. As the story progresses, the two timelines begin to intertwine, leading to a series of unexpected and humorous outcomes.
Love, History, and the Unpredictable
As the plot thickens, Ned and Terence's adventure takes a romantic turn when they become entangled in the lives of Tossie and her fiancé. Their efforts to help the couple find happiness inadvertently lead to further complications, adding to the delightful chaos of the story. Meanwhile, in the 21st century, Verity and Mr. Dunworthy are racing against time to prevent a catastrophic event caused by the timeline error.
In the end, the characters from both timelines come together to resolve the mystery and restore the timeline. The story concludes with a heartwarming and unexpected twist, highlighting the unpredictable nature of time travel and the importance of love, friendship, and understanding. To Say Nothing of the Dog is a delightful blend of science fiction, historical fiction, and comedy, offering a unique and entertaining take on time travel and its consequences.
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What is To Say Nothing of the Dog about?
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis is a delightful blend of science fiction and comedy set in the 21st century. Filled with time travel, historical references, and a touch of romance, this book follows the adventures of a group of historians as they attempt to correct an incongruity in the timeline. Witty and engaging, it explores themes of causality and the interconnectedness of events.
To Say Nothing of the Dog Review
To Say Nothing of the Dog (1997) whisks readers away on a time-traveling adventure filled with humor, mystery, and romance. Here's why this book is a delightful escape:
- Its quirky characters and intricate plot twists create a captivating narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
- Through a blend of comedic situations and historical references, the book offers a fresh take on time travel that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
- The engaging blend of science fiction, romance, and literary allusions ensures that boredom is never an option while reading this delightful novel.
Who should read To Say Nothing of the Dog?
- Readers who enjoy a blend of science fiction and romantic comedy
- Those who appreciate quirky and eccentric characters
- People who are fascinated by time travel and its implications
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To Say Nothing of the Dog FAQs
What is the main message of To Say Nothing of the Dog?
In To Say Nothing of the Dog, finding a lost object becomes a whimsical journey through time and mystery.
How long does it take to read To Say Nothing of the Dog?
It takes a few hours to read To Say Nothing of the Dog. The Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.
Is To Say Nothing of the Dog a good book? Is it worth reading?
We recommend To Say Nothing of the Dog for its delightful blend of humor, history, and intriguing plot twists.
Who is the author of To Say Nothing of the Dog?
The author of To Say Nothing of the Dog is Connie Willis.
What to read after To Say Nothing of the Dog?
If you're wondering what to read next after To Say Nothing of the Dog, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Judith L. Raiskin
- Just After Sunset by Stephen King
- Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
- Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye
- Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nunzio DeFilippis
- Side Jobs by Jim Butcher