Rating: 
Summary: A tour-de-force blend of comedy, mystery, romance & sci-fi
Review: I laughed out loud regularly as this time-travel tale unfolded. Ned, the "time-lagged" hero, has a series of hilarious misadventures, any one of which could change the course of history (and then again, maybe not). His relationship with Cyril, his traveling companion's dog is the source of constant amusement. Victorian society (always an easy target) gets a merry old working over, with a refreshingly light touch. There is just enough technical jargon to keep the story going (Don't expect a detailed description of how one is transported through the Continuum via the Net, but do expect to laugh at Difficulty Distinguishing Sounds and at the formidable Lady Schrapnell). On another level, this book is structured as a (successful) homage to Jerome K. Jerome's "Three Men in a Boat". It worked so well that I was inspired to read TMIAB, which was also excellent. Where's the Bishop's Bird Stump? WHAT'S the Bishop's Bird Stump? Read this book and find out.
Rating: 
Summary: Romantic time-travel comedy-mystery
Review: I caught references not only to Jerome K. Jerome, but also to Dorothy Sayers (an affectionate nod to one of literature's most romantic -- if academically inspired -- proposals) and half a dozen other wonderful writers, and bet I missed several more. Witty narration, sly social commentary (about Victorian society and others), Willis' favorite chaos theory, and an explanation for the derivation of the jumble sale. Delightful.
Rating: 
Summary: What a waste of my life-time
Review: All that praise at the back and the beginning of the book made me read the first 80 pages. Normally I would have thrown it away after 30 pages. I should have. This book is contrived and simply boring.
Rating:
Summary: It's a great book to read while lolling about on the beach
Review: I picked up "Bellwether" on a lark a couple of months ago and truly enjoyed it. It may help that I'm married to a scientist. I also loved "To Say Nothing of the Dog," which I read in a 24-hour period while hanging around a beach in the Philippines. I enjoy Willis' writing immensely, but I must admit there was something about the juxtaposition of sun and sand to the strait-laced Victorian morals that made the book even more fun. I plan to read everything she writes.
Rating:
Summary: A sci-fi comedy of errors
Review: This book is truly a romp through the course of history, focusing on the delightfully frivolous Victorian Era. Light, witty, yet provacative in it's examination of significance. What are the forces that shape history? Does the space-time continuum balance on an ugly piece of Victorian artwork (to say nothing of the dog)? Is God in the details? Read it. And, for maximum effect, read Jerome K. Jerome's "Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog)" first. Sit back, relax, and let them both carry you along on the currents of the Thames...and the currents of history...
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: I was really surprised how light and funny this book was after reading the exciting, fast paced, and stomach-churning Doomsday Book. I think one of the reasons To Say Nothing of the Dog comes across as light is that it takes place mostly in the Victorian era, a time when people apparently acted ridiculous. The humor of the book covers up the scary implications of changing the course of history. Also, I was so happy that Dunworthy was in it, I enjoyed him so much in Doomsday Book, I hope he shows up in more of her books! I've also read Bellwether (it is great). I plan to read all her books!
Rating:
Summary: A nearly perfect novel
Review: Don't be turned off if you're not a science fiction reader (although I do enjoy it myself). To Say Nothing Of The Dog is set in the same universe (a university history department of Time Travel in slightly-future England) as Willis' Doomsday Book, but this is happier, funnier, lighter and more cleverly plotted. It's a fun and absorbing read with a good mystery and it's just so _smart_. I don't know why Willis isn't more famous. I think she needs to get off the SF shelf where hard SF geeks don't appreciate her and others avoid her. I agree with the reviewers who said that you will want to share this one with friends. It's so fun that you will want to discuss it with someone the minute you finish it! One more thing - don't be turned off by the reviews that say this book is funny. I can usually tell that I will hate a book when other people tell me it's funny. But this is different. Just give it a try!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful romp through the Victorian Era
Review: The only problem I could find with this book is its unfortunate ability to make me snort loudly in public places. Continually diminishing social life aside, this is by far the funniest, smartest novel I have ever read. Willis expertly juggles chaos theory, time travel, a period novel, a romance novel, a sci-fi piece, and assorted fauna, and yet maintains coherence throughout. Details connect wonderfully, sneaking up on you from behind as pieces fall into place. But, more than just being a romp among the Victorians--which it is--To Say Nothing of the Dog is informed with a steadily growing deep view of the universe. It is a book about the incredible interconnected complexity of the world, where every detail matters, where no one and nothing is really insignificant. It is rare and wondrous to find a comedy with a spiritual dimension, a joyous book of philosophy. Thought is not sacrificed for humor. To avoid this book would be like avoiding life. It overflows with joy and insight. After re-reading it, I feel enriched.
Rating: 
Summary: big disappointment
Review: i'm a sucker for time-travel stories, and english humor, and loved Willis' earlier stuff, but this just left me utterly cold. It's not particularly funny, the plot isn't particularly involving (and loses rather than gains steam), and it's offhand assurance that the world revolved around England is a bit dated. I read this on a plane flight, a captive audience if there ever was one, and was squirming in my seat and hoping for some peanuts to relieve the tedium.
Rating:
Summary: Everything I want in a book
Review: Time-travel, computers, authenticity, altering history, what more could one want?
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