Impossible Things

November 29, 1993
Willis ( Lincoln's Dreams ) demonstrates her sly wit and quirky perspective in this solid collection of 11 previously published science fiction pieces. Romance becomes entangled with interplanetary negotiations when a Navy linguist and the neglected fiancee of an officious NASA diplomat try to keep a visiting alien happy--even though language problems obscure whether the powers-that-be are arranging a space program or a spice pogrom. In a story that will look like SF only to readers who have steered clear of higher education lately, a consultant promoting ``relevantness'' and modern pedagogical theory nips at the heels of professors teaching paleontology at a state university. During the Battle of Britain, a Civil Defense worker gains a disturbing insight into himself and the war from a mysterious volunteer who has an uncanny ability to locate bombing victims buried under rubble. Willis's fondness for Shakespeare translates into two stories: one considers how much text would be left intact if all right-wing, left-wing and special-interest groups could delete the bits of which they do not approve; the other tackles the old conundrum, If Shakespeare wasn't Shakespeare, who was?

December 1, 1993
Eleven short stories by one of sf's most exciting new voices explores topics that range from Shakespeare to feminism to quantum physics. Most of these stories have only seen magazine publication.

Copyright 1993 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 1995
YA-This must-have collection includes several of Willis's prize-winning (Hugo and Nebula) stories. Any library buffeted by the winds of censorship needs to include "Ado," a hilarious send-up in which the attempt to please everyone is carried to its logical extreme. "Spice Pogrom" makes it clear exactly how difficult real communication is, and "Schwarzchild Radius" is a fascinating whole-language addition to the physics curriculum. "Even the Queen," however, is the indispensable selection. The author's introductions to each piece are a lovely bonus.