Novels in the Time of Coronavirus: Doomsday Book

In Connie Willis’ Doomsday Book, Kivrin, a historian, travels back in time to experience the 1320s. An unfortunate accident lands her in 1348, just at the Black Death comes to England. Meanwhile, back in her time, a pandemic has hit Oxford and London.

One of the first things I noticed is that the quarantined area is running short on supplies, especially toilet paper! That gives you an idea of when I started reading. This ties into a theme of how everyone relates to the pandemic through their own issues. Mr. Dunworthy worries about Kivrin who he fears has been sent to the wrong time. Ms. Montoya, who’s stuck in quarantine, fears the damage the weather will do to the archaeological dig she can’t get back to. Mrs. Gaddson’s worried about her son’s health. American ringers are dismayed they can’t get to their concerts. I find that interesting because I’m watching my issues play out during this coronavirus.

One of the minor themes is about historical distance. A historian should maintain some sort of objectivity but living with people can toss that out the window. Even though the people around her, based on her time period, have died centuries earlier, Kivrin does all she can to save them.

This ties in with a main theme of the novel: in the words of Mr. Rogers’ mother, “look for the helpers.” So many people are trying to help each other even as they pursue their own concerns. Kivrin, struggling to save those dying of the plague. In the end, the novel is about hope. Kivrin talks about how “frightened and brave and irreplaceable they were” but that’s all of us.

I know I didn’t describe it well, but this is a fantastic book.