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Mary Anne, I'm a little confused by the "Thank You" also. I haven't quite figured that out. But I'm thinking all her different lives are a puzzle where the various happenings fit together in a certain way. Maybe she eventually knew that she could never really prevent WWII but she could influence other outcomes. When she hesitated in shooting Hitler and was subsequently killed herself, she was re-born and both Teddy and Nancy survived (and Sylvia who wouldn't commit suicide if Teddy lives). Looking at what I wrote it seems too simplistic for such a complex novel. I'm still turning it over and over.
I just finished this last night and am puzzling out the ending, especially the coda with Mrs. Haddock. What's the significance of it, any thoughts anybody?
What I take away is that Atkinson structures the book so that the easy conclusion is that Ursula lives her lives over and over until she kills Hitler, preventing the way World War II plays out. but i think the real purpose of Ursula's lives was to make sure that Teddy and Nancy are together as adults. Every other life plays out so that either Nancy or Teddy is dead. Atkinson mentions - especially towards the end - sacrifices for love, and Ursula's sacrifice (reincarnating) is for Teddy and Nancy; it's just extremely underplayed.
But someday maybe I'll reread again and figure the ending out with more confidence.
Melanie, I am with you. Very unsure of the ending and came here to see if anyone had any insights. :)
He was referring to Ursula's intervention that prevented Nancy from being murdered by the itinerant scruffy man who makes several appearances.
I thought she had this covered but you may be right. I had to return the book to the library so I can't check to see if I remembered correctly. I'm going to buy a copy when I get a chance.
Yeah. It took awhile for me to get into it but then I really liked it.
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Barbara
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May 14, 2013 09:12PM
Mary Anne, I'm a little confused by the "Thank You" also. I haven't quite figured that out. But I'm thinking all her different lives are a puzzle where the various happenings fit together in a certain way. Maybe she eventually knew that she could never really prevent WWII but she could influence other outcomes. When she hesitated in shooting Hitler and was subsequently killed herself, she was re-born and both Teddy and Nancy survived (and Sylvia who wouldn't commit suicide if Teddy lives). Looking at what I wrote it seems too simplistic for such a complex novel. I'm still turning it over and over.
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I just finished this last night and am puzzling out the ending, especially the coda with Mrs. Haddock. What's the significance of it, any thoughts anybody?What I take away is that Atkinson structures the book so that the easy conclusion is that Ursula lives her lives over and over until she kills Hitler, preventing the way World War II plays out. but i think the real purpose of Ursula's lives was to make sure that Teddy and Nancy are together as adults. Every other life plays out so that either Nancy or Teddy is dead. Atkinson mentions - especially towards the end - sacrifices for love, and Ursula's sacrifice (reincarnating) is for Teddy and Nancy; it's just extremely underplayed.
But someday maybe I'll reread again and figure the ending out with more confidence.
Melanie, I am with you. Very unsure of the ending and came here to see if anyone had any insights. :)
He was referring to Ursula's intervention that prevented Nancy from being murdered by the itinerant scruffy man who makes several appearances.
I thought she had this covered but you may be right. I had to return the book to the library so I can't check to see if I remembered correctly. I'm going to buy a copy when I get a chance.
Yeah. It took awhile for me to get into it but then I really liked it.
