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A review by kellylizbeth
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
5.0
Life After Life is an absolutely exquisite book. Main character Ursula Todd is born for the first time in the English countryside in 1910; and then, over the course of the next half-century, dies and is reborn in a continuous cycle of lives, each varying slightly or drastically from the last based on Ursula’s decisions and actions. With Ursula retaining only a vague sense of déjà-vu from each life, she manages to alter her own story and those of the people around her, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse.
A departure from Atkinson’s detective novels, the plot of Life After Life lends a fantasy/sci-fi element to what is primarily a richly detailed work of historical fiction. Especially when it comes to the scenes set in London during the Blitz: Atkinson does not shy away from the horror of wartime, which is all the more pronounced because the story’s structure (no linear narrative here, folks!) skips between Ursula’s pleasant childhood years at her family’s idyllic country home and the tragedy and destruction of a city under siege.
Without resorting to overt spoilers, I will say that the prevailing (and worthwhile) message I took from this book is that the key to a fulfilling and happy life is deep, loving relationships. And whomever it is that you love – spouse, significant other, siblings, parents and/or friends – keep them close, and if it takes sacrifices, make them. Because love is worth it.
Read it: now. This one’s going to be big (I hope).
A departure from Atkinson’s detective novels, the plot of Life After Life lends a fantasy/sci-fi element to what is primarily a richly detailed work of historical fiction. Especially when it comes to the scenes set in London during the Blitz: Atkinson does not shy away from the horror of wartime, which is all the more pronounced because the story’s structure (no linear narrative here, folks!) skips between Ursula’s pleasant childhood years at her family’s idyllic country home and the tragedy and destruction of a city under siege.
Without resorting to overt spoilers, I will say that the prevailing (and worthwhile) message I took from this book is that the key to a fulfilling and happy life is deep, loving relationships. And whomever it is that you love – spouse, significant other, siblings, parents and/or friends – keep them close, and if it takes sacrifices, make them. Because love is worth it.
Read it: now. This one’s going to be big (I hope).