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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Kate Atkinson sure knows how to plot a story. The second in the Jackson Brodie series, I found One Good Turn far superior to Case Histories, and much more of compelling page-turner. Some authors overuse their structural metaphors, but in this novel, Atkinson uses the Matryoshka dolls to great effect. There are literal Russian dolls, and the story lines, from multiple characters' perspectives, embed gems of other stories, until the heart of the story is revealed. A crime is committed, an accident occurs, sending rippling effects drawing together the lives of those in Edinburgh during a Festival weekend. The crime plot itself is pretty standard, but the storytelling is not. Atkinson has the characters at times make explicit commentary about the plausibility of all the people they have encountered throughout the story being connected. Connections upon connections. But these never feel contrived.
Very slow build, characters weren't engaging.
Once again, Kate Atkinson does the impossible and pulls all the threads together. Jackson becomes an ever more sympathetic protagonist.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
After really enjoying Case Histories, I was disappointed by this book. Here's what I don't understand:
1. Why did Jackson get involved with Julia at all? She was unbearable in Case Histories. I can understand him stupidly falling into a brief affair with her because he loves her boobs, or whatever, but I thought he would wake up and notice she was shallow, selfish, and dishonest, not keep seeing her for months or years.
2. What was Graham Hatter really up to? Apparently he owned "Favors" as well as his construction company -- was he also responsible for trafficking the women from Russia as was hinted? "Fraud is nothing, Gloria. Many worse things than fraud." (p. 391). It seems sloppy not to clarify what he was actually doing, particularly in a book that doesn't skimp on detail.
3. What's up with all the coincidences? Are they supposed to be a theme, because Jackson comments: "you say coincidence, I say connection," (p. 290). Also, we are clearly supposed to think the matryoshka dolls are an important motif, suggesting that the plot is tightly woven, nestled together. But is it? It just seems implausible, first that the henchman of Mr. Hatter accidentally rear ends the hitman hired by Mrs. Hatter. This is then witnessed by Mrs. Hatter herself ! If Edinborough were a very small village, then maybe... but in a large city thronged with visitors for the Fringe Festival?
I felt that Case Histories was the work of a really talented author; I will read more of her in hopes that Case Histories is more representative than this One Good Turn.
1. Why did Jackson get involved with Julia at all? She was unbearable in Case Histories. I can understand him stupidly falling into a brief affair with her because he loves her boobs, or whatever, but I thought he would wake up and notice she was shallow, selfish, and dishonest, not keep seeing her for months or years.
2. What was Graham Hatter really up to? Apparently he owned "Favors" as well as his construction company -- was he also responsible for trafficking the women from Russia as was hinted? "Fraud is nothing, Gloria. Many worse things than fraud." (p. 391). It seems sloppy not to clarify what he was actually doing, particularly in a book that doesn't skimp on detail.
3. What's up with all the coincidences? Are they supposed to be a theme, because Jackson comments: "you say coincidence, I say connection," (p. 290). Also, we are clearly supposed to think the matryoshka dolls are an important motif, suggesting that the plot is tightly woven, nestled together. But is it? It just seems implausible, first that the henchman of Mr. Hatter accidentally rear ends the hitman hired by Mrs. Hatter. This is then witnessed by Mrs. Hatter herself ! If Edinborough were a very small village, then maybe... but in a large city thronged with visitors for the Fringe Festival?
I felt that Case Histories was the work of a really talented author; I will read more of her in hopes that Case Histories is more representative than this One Good Turn.
Enjoyed the book but found the generalisations about Eastern Europeans annoying. Kiev is not in Russia, not all Eastern Europeans are miserable victims of human slave trafficking or gangsters
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am baffled by the accolades that One Good Turn (and its predecessor) receives. Reviews laud its intricately plotted narrative and its complex characters. All of which makes me wonder if I’m reading the same novel. Not only were the characters shallow, but their actions were implausible, and their development nil. I suppose you could make an argument for an intricate plot, but intricacy on its own is a necessary but insufficient condition to make for a good plot. An intricate but risibly unbelievable plot does not qualify as good. To add insult to injury, both the plot and the characters move at a pace marginally faster than the carving of the Grand Canyon. Mercifully, Atkinson’s writing elevated this novel above It’s okay, but not enough to reach I liked it (2.0 ⭐️ though. No partial credit). My ultimate takeaway is that, contrary to popular belief, Fifty Million Frenchmen can be wrong.
Good summer read..... loved the mix of characters. Somewhat implausable, but I'm ok with that as long as the characters are interesting. Kinda like watching a netflix series - entertaining, but not challenging. Would recommend.
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes