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A review by ibeforem
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
What if we had a chance to do it again and again," Teddy said, "until we finally did get it right? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
On a snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born, and Ursula Todd dies. And then Ursula Todd is born again, but this time, she is saved from the cord around her neck. And because the first half of the 20th century was rather unsafe, this cycle is repeated, many times, as Atkinson explores the ways that tiny changes can affect an entire existence.
The first 3rd or so of the novel was a little rough to read. Not only are you reading about Ursula's childhood over and over, but it can be a lot to read about a child's death in multiple horrible ways. But as Ursula gets older and her instincts/deja vu lead her into different choices, the story gets more expansive and more interesting. Perhaps most compelling is Ursula's time working in London during the Blitz, where sometimes she is victim and sometimes hero.
There's not really an overarching plot to the story, other than perhaps "is there a way to stop this horrible war from happening," but it is an interesting journey nonetheless. I didn't find the timelines too hard to follow, as long as I paid attention to the year cues at the beginning of each chapter. It's been a long time since I read a Kate Atkinson book, and this was a fine re-introduction to what she is capable of.
She was Ursula Beresford Todd and she was a witness.
On a snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born, and Ursula Todd dies. And then Ursula Todd is born again, but this time, she is saved from the cord around her neck. And because the first half of the 20th century was rather unsafe, this cycle is repeated, many times, as Atkinson explores the ways that tiny changes can affect an entire existence.
The first 3rd or so of the novel was a little rough to read. Not only are you reading about Ursula's childhood over and over, but it can be a lot to read about a child's death in multiple horrible ways. But as Ursula gets older and her instincts/deja vu lead her into different choices, the story gets more expansive and more interesting. Perhaps most compelling is Ursula's time working in London during the Blitz, where sometimes she is victim and sometimes hero.
There's not really an overarching plot to the story, other than perhaps "is there a way to stop this horrible war from happening," but it is an interesting journey nonetheless. I didn't find the timelines too hard to follow, as long as I paid attention to the year cues at the beginning of each chapter. It's been a long time since I read a Kate Atkinson book, and this was a fine re-introduction to what she is capable of.
She was Ursula Beresford Todd and she was a witness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and War