To Say Nothing of the Dog

by Connie Willis
To Say Nothing of the Dog cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Fantasy, Young Adult, Adventure
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 8986
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9780575131132
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2013-05-09
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Ned Henry is a time-travelling historian who specializes in the mid-20th century, currently researching the bombed-out Coventry Cathedral. Suffering from a severe case of 'time-lag', Ned is sent on an emergency mission to Victorian England, where his disorientation could have dire consequences for history itself. This comedic and adventurous story blends time travel with historical fiction, offering a unique and entertaining perspective on the past. As Ned struggles to complete his mission, he encounters a variety of colorful characters and situations that test his wits and his understanding of time itself. The novel is a delightful mix of humor, adventure, and historical detail, making it a standout in the genre of time-travel fiction.

Reviews
Reddit - Fantasy · 2026-01-04
disappointing 2.00

The reviewer finds the book low-stakes and stupid, leading to eye-rolling moments. The journey is the focus, but it falls short of expectations.

This book is a comedic romp through time, but the reviewer finds it low-stakes and stupid, leading to eye-rolling moments. The journey is the focus, but it falls short of expectations. The reviewer appreciates the clever writing and the engaging narrative that keeps readers hooked. However, the low-stakes and stupid moments detract from the overall experience.

Quick quotes

    It's all about the journey

    Unfortunately, it just felt so low-stakes and stupid that I was rolling my eyes

    The journey is the focus, but it falls short of expectations

Fantasy Book Review · Fantasy Book Review · 2025-12-22
good 3.50

The book is praised for its amusing language and beautifully written, likable characters, with a note that the humour is dry and elegant. However, it is also noted that the trip is worth taking, albeit with some reservations.

Fantasy Book Review highlights the amusing language and beautifully written, completely likable characters in the book. They appreciate the dry, elegant humour, which makes the story engaging. However, they also note that the book has some reservations, making it a trip worth taking, albeit with some caveats. The reviewer seems to enjoy the overall experience but acknowledges that it is not perfect. They give the book a rating of 3.5 out of 5, indicating a generally positive but not flawless experience.

Quick quotes

    If you're a fan of amusing language, beautifully written, completely likable characters and dry, elegant humour this is certainly a trip worth taking, albeit ...

    The book is praised for its amusing language and beautifully written, likable characters, with a note that the humour is dry and elegant.

    However, it is also noted that the trip is worth taking, albeit with some reservations.

Mike Finns Fiction · Mike Finns · 2020-12-06
great 4.00

The reviewer found the book to be good and laughed several times while reading it. They also noted that it remains a good read upon re-reading. The reviewer seems to enjoy the book's humour and overall quality.

Mike Finns Fiction shares their experience of reading the book, noting that it remains good and made them laugh several times. They appreciate the book's humour and overall quality, indicating that it is a good read. The reviewer's positive experience with the book is evident, and they seem to enjoy it thoroughly. They give the book a rating of 4.0 out of 5, reflecting their positive sentiment.

Quick quotes

    Reading it again, I can say that it remains good and it made me laugh several times.

    The reviewer found the book to be good and laughed several times while reading it.

    They also noted that it remains a good read upon re-reading.

The Book Smugglers · The Book Smugglers · 2011-01-14
excellent 4.50

The book is described as hilarious and smart, and it is high on the reviewer's list of comfort reads. The reviewer loves the book so hugely much and compares it to Pride and Prejudice in terms of its comfort and enjoyment. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident, indicating a very positive experience.

The Book Smugglers express their love for the book, describing it as hilarious and smart. They place it high on their list of comfort reads, comparing it to Pride and Prejudice in terms of its comfort and enjoyment. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident, and they seem to have a very positive experience with it. They give the book a rating of 4.5 out of 5, reflecting their high praise and positive sentiment.

Quick quotes

    I love this book so hugely much. It is high on my list of comfort reads, right along with Pride and Prejudice.

    The book is described as hilarious and smart, and it is high on the reviewer's list of comfort reads.

    The reviewer loves the book so hugely much and compares it to Pride and Prejudice in terms of its comfort and enjoyment.

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