Review of 'The Road to Roswell'
The Road to Roswell by Connie Willis
Travelling to Roswell, New Mexico, home of half of the UFO-freaks in the universe, level-headed Francie is there to attend the wedding of her not-so-level-headed friend Serena when she is unexpectedly kidnapped by a tumble-weed shaped alien that uses it's tentacles to direct Francie to drive out of town in search of…well, she doesn't know as she can't communicate with it. Along the way she is joined by Wade, a charming con man headed to Roswell; sweet little old lady Eula Mae who has a gambling addiction; retiree Joseph who owns a fully tricked out RV - sorry, “Western trail wagon”; and Lyle a fanatic UFO believer. Francie grows attached to the tumble-weed alien who they call “Indy” after Indiana Jones since he uses his tentacles like whips. Eventually they are able to communicate with the alien who discovers how to form English words on his tentacles based on what he learns from listening them and watching the copious quantity of western films Joseph has stored in the RV - sorry, “Western trail wagon”. They seem to be wandering around aimlessly for something but Indy can't tell them exactly what though it is VERY clear he is not all that keen on Monument Valley.
Another witty offering from a master of personable Science Fiction Connie Willis. This one takes on the UFO conspiracy and turns the whole thing on its head taking in Las Vegas (including a wedding chapel), Area 51 and other highlights on the UFO trail of south-western USA. Those not hugely familiar with this area of the country and the somewhat unhinged minority that are fervent believers will find this quite an interesting insight but Willis, surprisingly, does not offer too much ridicule, simply (fairly) pointing out the facts of what is going on there. Unbelievably, the community is pretty much as described from what little I know of it with my involvement in the SF community (and other groups).
I did find the book tended to drag quite a bit and get a bit repetitive (particularly the exasperating attempts to communicate with Indy) until the last 100 or so pages where things started to pick up pace. At just shy of 400 pages, it is quite a long book with fairly long chapters but Willis' prose is, as always, very easy to read and follow.
Good fun - aliens, conspiracy, and Vegas oh my! - but tends to drag a bit. Not one of Willis' best but that is a very high marker indeed…
Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”
Review Date: 2026-01-01
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication Date: 2024
ISBN: 9781399624176