Willis, Connie. “At the Rialto.” Impossible Things. New York: Bantam Books, 1993.
Reason read: June is Short Story month.
Dr. Ruth Baringer, a quantum physicist, runs into obstacles everywhere she turns trying to attend a conference in America’s playground, Hollywood, California. She can’t even check into her room without it becoming a major event. Trying to attend different events at the conference become confused and convoluted. Even trying to connect with her roommate is impossible. Everything is insane. Meanwhile, a colleague wants her to go to the movies instead…after all, they are in Hollywood.
Story trivia: “At the Rialto” won a Nebula Award for best novelette.
Author fact: Willis was given the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award in 2012.
Nancy said: Pearl said Willis also wrote “wonderful” short stories and mention “At the Rialto” as one not to be missed.
BookLust Twist: from Book Lust in the chapter called “Connie Willis: To Good To Miss” (p 246).
~*LunaSea*~ 