Connie Willis' oddball science fiction novel, published 2023.
Connie Willis's *The Road to Roswell*, published in 2023, is a light-hearted, delightfully clever sci-fi comedy that never takes itself too seriously. In contrast to some of her other work, this is a simple plot, with just enough Willisy twists to keep me interested. A little absurd and whimsical, the characters are real and believable, even though surrounded by the seemingly impossible.
The pragmatic Francie is heading to Roswell, New Mexico for her friend’s UFO-themed wedding — only to be abducted by a polite and extremely inconvenient alien. What begins as a bizarre kidnapping quickly turns into a road trip involving cowboys, conspiracy theorists, and other unexpected, slightly odd travellers. Despite the silliness of the premise, the characters are well-drawn and the dialogue is sharp, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny.
Thre are no jump-scares, no dystopia, no Alien horror, just a charming, comic road-trip novel. Willis uses the alien encounter trope not to explore cosmic dread or high-tech speculation, but to satirise belief, gullibility, and how we choose to find meaning. The plot is simple enough that the reader can put it down, but twisty enough that one doesn't want to. I did not put it down. i opened the Amazon package (thanks, segnbora-T!), settled down with the book and finished it in an evening. It's more romantic comedy than hard sci-fi, more screwball adventure than space opera, no absurd alien tech or deathborg. It’s a great read for anyone who wants something thoughtful but not heavy, humorous without being throwaway. it's whimsical, sometimes funny or thoughtful, but always enjoyable.
If you're not a fan of Connie Willis by the time you've finished this, or want a more involved story, To Say Nothing of The Dog will satisfy both of those, I reckon. I'm looking forward to reading much more of Willis; she's joined the ranks of my favourite SF authors.
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