CrossTalk

by Connie Willis

Science fiction icon Connie Willis brilliantly mixes a speculative plot, the wit of Nora Ephron, and the comedic flair of P. G. Wodehouse in Crosstalk-- a genre-bending novel that pushes social media, Smartphone technology, and twenty-four-hour availability to hilarious and chilling extremes as one young woman abruptly finds herself with way more connectivity than she ever desired. In the not-too-distant future, a simple outpatient procedure to increase empathy between romantic partners has become all the rage. And Briddey Flannigan is delighted when her boyfriend, Trent, suggests undergoing the operation prior to a marriage proposal-- to enjoy better emotional connection and a perfect relationship with complete communication and understanding. But things don't quite work out as planned, and Briddey finds herself connected to someone else entirely-- in a way far beyond what she signed up for. It is almost more than she can handle-- especially when the stress of managing her all-too-eager-to-communicate-at-all-times family is already burdening her brain. But that's only the beginning. As things go from bad to worse, she begins to see the dark side of too much information, and to realize love-- and communication-- are far more complicated than she ever imagined.

"One of science fiction's premiere humorists turns her eagle eye to the crushing societal implications of telepathy. In a not-too-distant future, a simple outpatient procedure that has been promised to increase empathy between romantic partners has become all the rage. So when Briddey Flannigan's fiancé proposes that he and Briddey undergo the procedure, she is delighted! Only...the results aren't quite as expected. Instead of gaining an increased empathetic link with her fiancé Briddey finds herself hearing the actual thoughts of one of the nerdiest techs in her office. And that's the least of her problems"--

• ISBN10: 0345540670
• ISBN13: 9780345540676
• Publish Date: 4 October 2016 (first published 15 September 2016)
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Imprint: Del Rey Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 512
• Language: English

Reviews

[jamiereadthis]

Okay, so. Huh. This book. I’ve meant to read Connie Willis for ages. I think I’d like Connie Willis in most other cases.

But this book. Drove me mad.

It’s SO manic. It’s so circular and repetitive. And that’s the point, I know, but still: no one has a single surprising or off-topic thought the whole time? Are you kidding? And then the plot only works by withholding information? And then there’s still plot holes big enough to drive a truck through? And explain to me please why it’s a horrible thing that the voices are gone when, up to that point, the whole goal has been getting rid of the voices?

If the point of book was driving me mad, then yay, it worked.

I really do get what Willis was going for, and I would have liked the book had she gotten there. But it felt like a struggle, and she didn’t, so even the fun parts got bogged down in “WTF, huh?”