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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
I've had Atkinson's "Life After Life" on my to-read for years so I was pleased to get this for Christmas, and to experience her writing for the first time. I was not disappointed.
Transcription tells a story that spans 4 decades, beginning when Juliet ("Miss Armstrong") is recruited by M15 to assist the war effort... Atkinson deftly weaves a story of loyalty, betrayal, and intrigue.
Transcription tells a story that spans 4 decades, beginning when Juliet ("Miss Armstrong") is recruited by M15 to assist the war effort... Atkinson deftly weaves a story of loyalty, betrayal, and intrigue.
Transcription has been on my to-read list for quite some time, but in a true act of serendipity, it came to me from a stack of books being given away for free on the sidewalk one afternoon in my neighbourhood (thank you, Old Ottawa South). A few years ago I read a different Kate Atkinson novel, Life After Life, which was so original and fascinating that I frequently think about it to this day. I was very excited to have the opportunity to read another book by her having been so moved by Life After Life. It turns out, Transcription is not at all like Life After Life. While I would classify Life After Life perhaps best as a historical fiction novel driven by fantastical elements, Transcription is strictly historical fiction with no fantasy component.
This book follows Juliet Armstrong, a fictional 18 year old in 1940 who gets recruited by MI5, or, in short, this is a WWII spy novel. Had I not read Life After Life (and snagged this book for free), I don't think I would have been drawn to Transcription, but I'm very glad that I read it. Although the plot was engaging and at times thrilling, what I really loved most about this novel was how richly it depicted the homefront perspective of London in WWII. The details and facts of the novel were so well done and believable that I was truly immersed in the fog of the mystery and the realism of the setting. The foreshadowing of the plot was subtle and excellently done, always leaving the reader guessing of the multitude of ways in which the plot could turn. I think this book is well layered and would probably even benefit from a second read-through to fully appreciate its complexity. Even the title suits the novel in its complexity and multiple meanings revealed once the book has been completed.
The best thing about Transcription is certainly the character of Juliet Armstrong. Though very little exposition is done on the part of the author to outwardly display her characteristics, Juliet is such a detailed and nuanced character that she truly felt real. I found her to be highly relatable and imperfect, but still engrossing. Atkinson has clearly taken a lot of care to bring this fictionalized woman to life with her narration style, quirks, and progress through the novel.
I think the thing that I struggled with the most in this novel was the ending, which I found to be rather rushed and pretty incongruous with the rest of the novel, particularly considering that everything else was foreshadowed so well. I feel like I really struggled with following the last 40 or so pages and everything that happened in them felt a little disjointed and out of character for so many of the characters in the novel. Other than that, I really enjoyed this novel and will be recommending it to many of my friends. I think I would recommend it to others who like spy novels, mystery or thriller novels, and lovers of historical fiction. I feel like it is very similar to the novel Radio Girls, so perhaps those who loved that novel (by Sarah-Jane Stratford) will also love Transcription. I give Transcription four and a half stars, and look forward to reading more by Kate Atkinson in the future.
This book follows Juliet Armstrong, a fictional 18 year old in 1940 who gets recruited by MI5, or, in short, this is a WWII spy novel. Had I not read Life After Life (and snagged this book for free), I don't think I would have been drawn to Transcription, but I'm very glad that I read it. Although the plot was engaging and at times thrilling, what I really loved most about this novel was how richly it depicted the homefront perspective of London in WWII. The details and facts of the novel were so well done and believable that I was truly immersed in the fog of the mystery and the realism of the setting. The foreshadowing of the plot was subtle and excellently done, always leaving the reader guessing of the multitude of ways in which the plot could turn. I think this book is well layered and would probably even benefit from a second read-through to fully appreciate its complexity. Even the title suits the novel in its complexity and multiple meanings revealed once the book has been completed.
The best thing about Transcription is certainly the character of Juliet Armstrong. Though very little exposition is done on the part of the author to outwardly display her characteristics, Juliet is such a detailed and nuanced character that she truly felt real. I found her to be highly relatable and imperfect, but still engrossing. Atkinson has clearly taken a lot of care to bring this fictionalized woman to life with her narration style, quirks, and progress through the novel.
I think the thing that I struggled with the most in this novel was the ending, which I found to be rather rushed and pretty incongruous with the rest of the novel, particularly considering that everything else was foreshadowed so well. I feel like I really struggled with following the last 40 or so pages and everything that happened in them felt a little disjointed and out of character for so many of the characters in the novel. Other than that, I really enjoyed this novel and will be recommending it to many of my friends. I think I would recommend it to others who like spy novels, mystery or thriller novels, and lovers of historical fiction. I feel like it is very similar to the novel Radio Girls, so perhaps those who loved that novel (by Sarah-Jane Stratford) will also love Transcription. I give Transcription four and a half stars, and look forward to reading more by Kate Atkinson in the future.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good not great. Plot was interesting but didn’t deliver. It was tough to keep track of characters when many had code names/aliases that were used interchangeably. However, I’m interested in learning more about WW2 spies. The best part of the book was the list of references at the end.
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hugely enjoyable, if a little silly at the end.
I thought this was just fine. I particularly disliked the revelation near the end though: I just didn’t see any art to it. I guess it didn’t grab me enough that I might notice the possibility of what she was up to.
4.5 stars, rounding up because Kate Atkinson is so damn marvelous and I will devour anything she writes, but especially her WWII fiction. Juliet is a brilliant protagonist and I was kept guessing until the end.
There was so much potential here, but it wasn't executed well.