Life After Life. Kate Atkinson.

Tilly2 | 18:12 Mon 22nd Apr 2013 | Arts & Literature

11 Answers

Has anyone read this latest novel by Kate Atkinson? What did you think of it?

Surname Of Actor And Writer Known As The Master

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Tilly2

Question Author

Just 'bumping' this. Is that allowed?

maggiebee

Have only read one of her books "Behind the Scenes at the Museum". Had forgotten I really enjoyed this, so must revisit her novels.

Neveracrossword

I read this last week - and loved it. It's a strange format/plot, but I got used to it. I have seen reviews comparing this to the Time Traveller's Wife, but this is much better.

Tilly2

Question Author

I've just finished reading it today. I thought the construction was brilliant, once I'd got used to the way it was working. I haven't read Time Traveller's Wife. Is that a similar plot construction?

Neveracrossword

No, the TTW has a more normal plot construction - but the storyline is a bit airy-fairy, supernatural (ie one of the main characters travels through time, goes back and forth). It was readable, in my opinion - but loads of other people loved it. Life After Life was better, in my view, because it was grounded in reality and yet explored, very cleverly, the theme of 'but what would have happened if she had...?'

Tilly2

Question Author

Thank you, neveracrossword.

I thought 'Life after Life' was fascinating. in that the smallest change in circumstances led to a totally different outcome. Very cleverly done.

I have read all Kate Atkinson's books and thinks she's a very fine writer.

daisymay

Glad you enjoyed it. I've got Life After Life waiting for me to be collected at the library tomorrow - I'm very much looking forward to reading it. I think KA is brilliant too.

craft1948

I hated TTW, and I'll read nearly anything.

daisymay

Just finished Life After Life - enjoyed it but not quite sure what to make of it; the WWII sections were brilliantly evoked but some of the repetition I found a bit tedious. It certainly held me in thrall, I spent the whole of yesterday reading it (instead of getting on with my life!) and finished it in bed this morning - always a test of a good read if you can't put it down. The idea of reinvention is fascinating but then it means that everyone's life must be altered too with mind bogglingly infinite possibilities (presumably why SF time travellers are forbidden to alter anything in the past).