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Reader's Paradise

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

12 years ago

I have just finished Life After Life and found it to be the strangest book I've ever read. I would be so interested to hear what those of you who have read it thought of it.

It was very readable and terrific in that it had me glued to the pages, but it was also quite puzzling. I understand what the author was doing, but I'm not entirely sure what--or if--there is a single story to be put together from the pieces.

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Comments (5)

veer
12 years ago
Carolyn, I haven't read Life After Life but I have found some of Atkinson's books very very strange. I remember having 'trouble' with Human Croquet and the popping backwards in time/and/or changed endings . . .can't remember which; very off-putting.
On the other hand I have enjoyed her 'Jackson Brodie' books; at least they start at the beginning and finish at the end.
yoyobon_gw
12 years ago
After reading Human Croquet......which I ultimately didn't love......I think that I would not choose another of her books.
I agree that they are too strange.

Reminds me a bit of Margaret Atwood ?
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sheriz6
12 years ago
I read Behind the Scenes at the Museum and liked it very much, but I've never read anything else by her. I know this one has had a lot of positive book review buzz, but I'm not sure I'd pick it up.

Carolyn, you said it was strange and terrific, but did you like it? I know my book group is thinking it might be a good future choice.
carolyn_ky
Original Author
12 years ago
Sheriz6, your book group would certainly have a lot of discussion.

I must have liked it because I hated to put it down, but I do prefer my endings clearcut. This one had a lot of endings, and I am far from sure about the final one. It was hopeful, though, where the others were not.

The blurb on the inside cover says " . . . as she grows, she dies, repeatedly, in a variety of ways . . . Does Ursula's apparently infinite number of lives give her the power to save the world from its inevitable destiny?" It also quotes J. Courtney Sullivan, author of Maine (with which I am not familiar), as saying, "A masterpiece about how even the smallest choices can sometimes change the course of history."

I liked Masterpiece Theater's Jackson Brodie presentations and read the book featuring him that came out after the shows, but I don't think I will read her other books.
sheriz6
12 years ago
Carolyn, thank you for the additional info, it does sound interesting.

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