by Connie Willis
Every so often, I think of authors who I really enjoy reading, realize I haven't heard about any new releases from said authors, and then go on Wikipedia to see if I've missed anything. On good days, this is the case. Last week when I checked in on Connie Willis, I saw that I had missed a couple of ...
A charming Christmas tale of a first contact which does not go at all as might be expected. Connie Willis weaves aliens, choirs and disapproving relatives seamlessly into her novella, and I loved it.
Cute but maddeningly insubstantial.
The aliens have landed, and only the combined might of a columnist and a 7th grade choir extravaganza can save the day!
I read the electronic version via the Asimov's website: http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0805/allseated.shtmlProbably rates a 3.5, but like Connie Willis, I love Christmas and singing in very large choirs. Combining the two, especially with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, is priceless. And as Aunt Judit...
A perfect Connie Willis story, with the aliens, and the muddle, and the mundane aspects of middle class modern life in the US, and even more, a really satisfying little puzzle and race to solve it. It well deserved the Hugo. Probably they should just go ahead and issue her one with every new copyrig...
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