Connie Willis: Bellwether (2009, Random House Publishing Group)
E-book
English language
Published Jan. 5, 2009 by Random House Publishing Group.
Pop culture, chaos theory and matters of the heart collide in this unique novella from the Hugo and Nebula winning author of Doomsday Book. Sandra Foster studies fads and their meanings for the HiTek corporation. Bennet O'Reilly works with monkey group behavior and chaos theory for the same company. When the two are thrust together due to a misdelivered package and a run of seemingly bad luck, they find a joint project in a flock of sheep. But a series of setbacks and disappointments arise before they are able to find answers to their questions. From the Paperback edition.
An interesting idea of a story that falls a back a little too often on trend details. Some of the characters could have been presented in a bit more subtle way. I did end up enjoying it, and since it isn't a long story can recommend it.
Fun, not too serious. The funniest part is how in 1996 apparently anti-smoking is treated as a quaint fad: why would anyone be bothered by someone smoking near them? Surely only fussy, trend-following sheep. Riiiiiight.
cute, perky, and funny. I had several laugh out loud moments when listening on the train.
One of my favorites to read & occasionally reread. There's so much in it: science; ignorance; Dilbert; frustration, humor, zaniness.
