I've read several Connie Willis books because I thoroughly enjoy her writing. To Say Nothing of the Dog is one of my all-time favorites. I've been looking forward to a new book from her and when I found D.A. at the library I grabbed it. Little did I know I would begin and end this book while in bed, in one night, while my husband was watching Everybody Loves Raymond and King of Queens. In other words, it's a short story - 76 pages.
Set in the unknown future Theodora Baumgarten is a senior at Winfrey High. Only 300 students from the Euro-American Union are selected to enter the IASA Academy. Recruiters visit schools throughout the year, interviewing and testing perspective potential cadets. Ms. Baumgarten is not the least bit interested in the program. She's applying to UCLA. The day arrives when the school principal will announce who from their school qualified. The entire school gathers for the assembly and everyone sits on pins and needles, casting bets to see who will be the chosen one. Much to Coriander's (who was everyone's favorite) dismay, Theodora was picked. Now the shocker -- she never applied for a spot in this exclusive academy. Who did? Why? Theodora is quickly whisked away to the Robert A. Heinlein space station to begin her freshman year. The rest of the story is about Theodora finding out who put in an application in her name and why.
Until Theodora understands why she is in the space academy she is bent on getting out. Her control, her destiny, her future was pulled out from her hands. Someone else is pulling her strings and she doesn't like it. Would you? When she discovers the reason she was chosen, she accepts and embraces her new position. I know I struggle like a bloodhound on the hunt for rabbit, when I feel a loss of control - restless, distracted and focused on where I actually want to be. I am angry, intemperate, and impatient. When light is shed, when the purpose behind a situation is revealed then I relax and seek to learn and enjoy the experience. I supposed I could look at every uncontrollable situation in my life with those glasses - that there is a purpose (usually to emphasize that I am not in control, shouldn't be and to let God take my reins) and to sit down, buckle up and enjoy the bumpy ride. I would recommend this book especially for young adults - those looking toward the vast inevitable. And I recommend a hearty discussion with others after reading.
I'm linking this to a weekly book discussion over at semicolon. Every Saturday she plays host to other bloggers who have book discussions on their blogs. This was my hope with Book-blogging on the 25th (which I discontinued in February). So go over to semicolon and get many more book recommendations.
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5 comments:
I really enjoyed To Say Nothing of the Dog. This short story sounds great. And I'd appreciate being able to read something from beginning to end in a short amount of time! I'll give it a try.
I got this book out last fall, then got sick and never got around to reading it. After reading your review, I'll have to try again!
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll look for it too...
It sounds as f it might make a nice graduation present for a bookwormish high school senior. I'll have to check it out and see.
Read D.A. last week and loved it. Have been struggling with my own D.A. tendencies wondering if they are going to get me in serious trouble one of these days - maybe sooner than later, if instead of trying to fix the broken stuff at work I keep pointing out, someone decides they would all be happier without someone around who does that, and asks me to move on!
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