Jack {novella}

A slim book which packs a hell of a punch! The many allusions to Dracula make it clear early on what the mystery man's secret is, but Willis goes far beyond the standard vampire tale; her characters are vivid and the depictions of the Blitz are harrowing.

Received via NetGalley.

Subterranean Press has reissued Jack as a bound novella. I didn't recognize the title but knew the story as soon as I started reading. Jack was first published in 1991 and earned Connie Willis Hugo and Nebula nominations. It's been anthologized several times since. I can't tell you how often I've read it, always with pleasure.

Jack is a member of an air-raid rescue squad during the London blitz. The story fits with other Willis pieces set in that period including the Blackout/All Clear book pair that won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards for best novel written in 2010. The novelette "Fire Watch" and the novel "To Say Nothing of the Dog" are set in the same period, one that Ms Willis knows exceedingly well.

Unlike these others, Jack is show more not linked to the Oxford time travel unit that we came to love the following year with the publication of Doomsday Book, and have followed around the Middle Ages, the Blitz, and other popular times. Jack is firmly anchored in World War II and, thanks to the author's skill, we can almost hear and smell what's happening.

Jack is a member of an air-raid rescue squad during the London blitz and his story is told through the voice of his fellow watcher, also named Jack. Jack joins Jack's rescue squad and immediately makes a name for himself for his ability to hear survivors buried in the rubble. Many lives are saved because Jack is so good at his work and that's the tale.

If you don't know Jack you will enjoy this older story very much. Whether it is worth $30 for the deluxe hardcover, I will let you decide.

I received a review copy of "Jack" by Connie Willis from Subterranean Press through SFRevu. This review first appeared in the March 2021 issue. show less

A novella originally published as part of Impossible Things and later The Winds of Marble Arch and Other Stories before Subterranean published it on its own Jack continues Connie Willis's fascination with WWII London and fantasy. The story follows the narrator, an ARP warden named Jack, and the other members of his post particularly another man named Jack that just recently joined the post. The second Jack may or may not have some nefarious reasons for joining, though his nature will be pretty transparent to most readers. For the most part the story is a series of little sketches about London during the Blitz and how that sort of pressure can transform people by magnifying their best or worst qualities. A quick read for people who show more really love Willis's work. show less

Based on the author and the setting, I thought I knew what to expect for this one. I was wrong. This was an amusing story, but not what I had expected at all.

A wonderful story about the people thrown together in a air raid rescue squad during the London Blitz. Readers of Dracula will recognize some of the characters' names.