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fateleanor's review
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Brought to life the horror experienced by bomber pilots in WW2.
mrs_bonaventure's review
5.0
The companion piece to Life after Life, I enjoyed The insight into Teddy's war. Most of all I was astonished by the worlds contained in each individual mind and soul - the unsaid, unknown, uncounted thoughts and feelings in each person's universe.
I missed Ursula, whose cryptic comments pierced the book wryly at times, as if looking in sideways at this version of her brother's life.
And I relished the ending. As before, very ambiguous.
I missed Ursula, whose cryptic comments pierced the book wryly at times, as if looking in sideways at this version of her brother's life.
And I relished the ending. As before, very ambiguous.
allnee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
admatthews's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved this. Domestic intergenerational saga without being sentimental, time- and perspective-shifting without being loose or gimmicky, range of vividly-drawn characters from atrocious to wonderful. The fall (and redemption) of man based around the RAF bombing campaign of WWII. Particularly struck by the way the time-shifting isn't just between episodes, but even in the narrative within them, always totally in control, but very much the way memory works, so the narrative felt like a natural evocation of that character's view.
rojaed's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ktaylorhurley's review
1.0
What a slog. It literally took me 2.5 months to read this book. Just never cared that much about the characters, or what would happen to them, which is insane considering how much I loved many of these same characters in Life After Life. I'll chalk up some of my frustration with this book to the fact that I was working full time and also going to school during this period, leaving me time to absorb the book only in fits & starts. Maybe I would have liked it more if I could have absorbed it more consistently, and across longer sittings. Either way, I have to say I wish I had picked up just about any book in my pile instead of this one. Kate Atkinson is a great writer, but this is a miss.
aelwood's review
5.0
Ooh, I loved reading this book. It was a great companion to “Life after Life,” and I love Atkinson’s character development throughout. There were times I loved and hated all of the characters, and it all makes sense by the end. I definitely recommend reading the author’s note at the end, to help make sense of it all afterwards.
hannahpom's review
4.0
My favorite thing about Atkinson as an author is that you can tell she is also a voracious reader. She leaves no stone unturned, for which I am grateful. And reminds me regularly that I do not wish to grow old.
sarahholland's review
5.0
I read Life after Life for my book club, and then was surprised to discover there was a sequel / companion book, A God in Ruins. I enjoyed the structure of the book immensely, as I did the description of Teddy's life. The ending, though - the ending was such a surprise, and so obvious at the same time, and so right - I'm still trying to determine what I actually think about it, but my first reaction was to give it 5 stars on Goodreads and then write this. Can't wait to get to book club this week and force a God in Ruins upon everybody.