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A review by alexisrt
Big Sky by Kate Atkinson
5.0
I've expressed my admiration for how Kate Atkinson constructs her novels before, but she continues to amaze me. I haven't loved her Jackson Brodie novels as much as her stand-alones, except for Case Histories, but Big Sky is top notch. What's exceptionally clever is that there really isn't a central mystery--yes, the book flap mentions someone's death, and it does matter, but the plot isn't completely linear. Instead, it's more like a puzzle that's constructed from the corners, as the stories of all the characters gradually converge. Some of the events are foreseeable, some are surprises, but everything fits together perfectly without feeling forced or contrived.
What makes Big Sky such a joy is that all the characters are carefully drawn, with beautiful detail, and that not one of those details is wasted. In some ways, Brodie is the least interesting person in his own books. Atkinson remembers all of them, and what might seem like an inconsequential throwaway line turns out to be much more significant. She also clearly had a good time writing the book; the character descriptions are leavened with lines that had me hooting--which makes it even more effective when the plot turns.
What makes Big Sky such a joy is that all the characters are carefully drawn, with beautiful detail, and that not one of those details is wasted. In some ways, Brodie is the least interesting person in his own books. Atkinson remembers all of them, and what might seem like an inconsequential throwaway line turns out to be much more significant. She also clearly had a good time writing the book; the character descriptions are leavened with lines that had me hooting--which makes it even more effective when the plot turns.