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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
It's so great to see Kate Atkinson back on sparkling form after the disappointment of her last two novels ([b:Big Sky|43107933|Big Sky (Jackson Brodie, #5)|Kate Atkinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1552911770l/43107933._SY75_.jpg|66913421] and [b:Transcription|37946414|Transcription|Kate Atkinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521173471l/37946414._SY75_.jpg|64175388]). The Washington post describes this one as "ornately theatrical" which pretty much nails it. Atkinson has merged her well-researched historical novels of the early to mid 20th century with a Jackson Brodie like character in the form of gloomy, unhappily married DI Frobisher. There's a large cast of characters, many of whom get a chance to have the story told from their point of view. But the ones who quickly come to stand out are resourceful ex-librarian Gwendolen and teenage runaway Freda, both from York and finding different ways to survive in the big city.
The story rambles around in time and point of view and I wouldn't say it had a plot exactly, though it does come to an exciting and murderous climax. It's more about atmosphere, character, and delightful vignettes (Freda's previous life as a knitwear model was a particular pleasure). I was not too sure about the post-modernist touch of wrapping up the characters' lives in the "Where are they now?" section at the end. But overall it was a very enjoyable romp through the seedy side of London life in the 1920s. The first KA novel I've really enjoyed (albeit in a very different way) since the masterly and bizarrely underrated [b:A God in Ruins|3722183|A God in Ruins (Todd Family, #2)|Kate Atkinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451442002l/3722183._SY75_.jpg|42652219].
The story rambles around in time and point of view and I wouldn't say it had a plot exactly, though it does come to an exciting and murderous climax. It's more about atmosphere, character, and delightful vignettes (Freda's previous life as a knitwear model was a particular pleasure). I was not too sure about the post-modernist touch of wrapping up the characters' lives in the "Where are they now?" section at the end. But overall it was a very enjoyable romp through the seedy side of London life in the 1920s. The first KA novel I've really enjoyed (albeit in a very different way) since the masterly and bizarrely underrated [b:A God in Ruins|3722183|A God in Ruins (Todd Family, #2)|Kate Atkinson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451442002l/3722183._SY75_.jpg|42652219].
Historical fiction loosely based on the real life club owner Kate Merrick. The ending feels rushed while the early chapters are rather on the over-indulgent side. Atkinson could have plunged into her story proper earlier than she does. Fun to read, however, with an interesting cast.
Her usual collection of interesting characters explore the Soho underbelly of the Roaring Twenties
"Shrines of Gaiety" contains some of Kate Atkinson's hallmark research and sparkling wit with an interesting focus on post-World War I London nightlife. But at times the sprawling cast of characters and constantly shifting point of view begin to detract from the narrative's ... let's say, buoyancy. I would have loved a book told from the perspective of Gwendolyn Kelling or Nellie Coker, or even a story they shared. But adding Freda and Ramsay and Frobisher and Niven and Edith and on and on ... just too much. The Shakespearean impulse to either kill off or neatly wrap up every single character and plot line at the end was also quite odd.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
This is an enjoyable historical fiction novel set after WWI in London. There are a lot of characters, but they mainly revolve around a matriarch club owner, based on a real person, her family, and the people who are out to bring her down.
Atkinson does a good job weaving together the different character storylines in this novel about 1920s London and the nightclub/gang underworld. Sometimes the jumping around bothers me but here I enjoyed it. For me where things fell flat was with some of Nellie's kids and their roles in the business and the police detective wanting to take her down. Just did not buy him as a Detective. Too much head in the clouds. Overall a fun read.