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A review by rachelhelps
A Lot Like Christmas: Stories by Connie Willis
4.0
I l love how Willis splashes science fiction into domestic comedy to create bizarre situations. While the stories are nice and light, sometimes they are too long. The first two stories especially suffer from this--the reader can tell what's happening and it's miserable waiting for it. Willis also likes to make silly references to classic literature, which seems unnecessarily performative.
On the other hand, there is some delightful comedy, like the list of themed Christmas decorations you can order with your professional Christmas installation. I like that Willis's science fiction has us in churches and the apartments of choir directors. After reading lots of epic fantasy this year it was a delightful change of pace.
I haven't finished the book (77% through) but I plan to finish it next Christmas.
update: 12/22/2021: I finished this book! I really liked "Epiphany". From last year, I remember liking the science fiction elements in deck.halls@boughs/holly. At the end, Willis lists her favorite Christmas movies and stories, and I was unsurprised to see that she had edited a collection of American Christmas Stories that came out this year. Maybe that will be my Christmas read next year...
On the other hand, there is some delightful comedy, like the list of themed Christmas decorations you can order with your professional Christmas installation. I like that Willis's science fiction has us in churches and the apartments of choir directors. After reading lots of epic fantasy this year it was a delightful change of pace.
I haven't finished the book (77% through) but I plan to finish it next Christmas.
update: 12/22/2021: I finished this book! I really liked "Epiphany". From last year, I remember liking the science fiction elements in deck.halls@boughs/holly. At the end, Willis lists her favorite Christmas movies and stories, and I was unsurprised to see that she had edited a collection of American Christmas Stories that came out this year. Maybe that will be my Christmas read next year...