Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.

By Books 4 Tomorrow
Contributor profile | More stories

Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

REVIEW: LIFE AFTER LIFE by Kate Atkinson

Monday, November 17, 2014 22:03

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

Title: Life After Life

Author: Kate Atkinson

Publisher: Reagan Arthur Books

Publication Date: March 14, 2013

Genre: Historical Fiction

Reviewed by: Angie Edwards

My rating: 3/5

SUMMARY

On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born, the third child of a wealthy English banker and his wife. Sadly, she dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in any number of ways. Clearly history (and Kate Atkinson) have plans for her: In Ursula rests nothing less than the fate of civilization.

REVIEW

Clearly, from all the five-star ratings this book has received, I’m definitely in the minority here. I was very close to giving up on this novel, but then decided to read all the way to thirty percent on my Kindle before quitting so that I can say I actually gave it a fair chance. Well, lo and behold! At exactly thirty percent, when I was ready to bid farewell to Life After Life, it got its hooks into me and I couldn’t put it down.

From thirty percent to seventy percent the story intrigued me and I got swept along in Ursula’s multiple attempts at life. Nonetheless, after seventy percent finishing the rest of the book became a struggle again, and because it’s a fairly lengthy novel I was relieved when I finally reached the end. Speaking of which…the ending was rather disappointing and I couldn’t make any sense of it. The prologue was immensely promising and somehow I got it in my head that the rest of the story was meant as a build-up of events leading to that which occurred in the prologue. I was sadly mistaken and when the event, as foreshadowed in the prologue, happened in the story, it didn’t have the same impact as what it did at the very start of the book. That pivotal moment which I was looking forward to, ended up being watered down and rushed.

This is a slow-moving plot which I felt dragged along in a lot of places. The parts I enjoyed the most were those that focused on Ursula’s time in Germany at the start, and during, World War II, and her interactions with and thoughts about Hitler. I liked the family set-up of Ursula’s family, and I started feeling at home at Fox Corner. However, right from the start there is a boatload of characters to keep track of, and many times I got confused by who is who.

Life After Life is not a book I’ll recommend to just anyone because I don’t think it will be everybody’s cup of tea (despite thousands of glowing reviews). It is without a doubt a well-written historical fiction with a very interesting idea at its core that got me thinking. I’m glad I finished it and I might even read another of Atkinson’s books in the future.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

ABOUTthe AUTHOR

Kate Atkinson was born in York and now lives in Edinburgh. Her first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum, won the Whitbread Book of the Year Award and she has been a critically acclaimed international bestselling author ever since.

She is the author of a collection of short stories, Not the End of the World, and of the critically acclaimed novels Human Croquet, Emotionally Weird, Case Histories, and One Good Turn.

Website * Facebook * Goodreads

Follow us with:

Source: http://bookstomorrow.blogspot.com/2014/11/review-life-after-life-by-kate-atkinson.html

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!

Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!

HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.

MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)

Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!

Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.

Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).

Comments

Online:
Visits:	1,602,727,381
Stories:	8,147,732