From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…

A God in Ruins (Todd Family, #2)

Kate Atkinson

Start date: March 15, 2016

Finish date: April 1, 2016

Discussion: Reading List

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 428 topics — 16,892 comments total

Reading List

* The Schedule for July through Dec. 2025
By Lynn · 1 post · 41 views

last updated Jun 20, 2025 08:37AM

Circe - discussion with spoilers
By Jane · 17 posts · 23 views

last updated Sep 06, 2025 04:48PM

showing 8 of 8 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Apr 20, 2016 Joyce rated it liked it

Shelves: book-club-choice

Kate Atkinson writes that both this novel and Life After Life were her opportunities to examine aspects of World War II with Life After Life about the London Blitz and A God in Ruins about the aerial bombing raids. Well, yes and no. Obviously these two companion novels are about a whole lot more. They are about the Todd family, particularly Ursula in the first book and her brother Teddy in this one. They are also about the great "what ifs" in life. In Life After Life, Ursula goes through many cy ...more

Like · see review

Apr 07, 2018 Clifford rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: novels

This is an impressive accomplishment. The ending is a bit of a puzzle, unless you know about the companion novel, Life After Life, which I do although I haven't yet read it. Still, wow. The intricate story-telling and the fragmentation create a singular experience. Atkinson is suddenly one of my favorite writers. ...more

Like · see review

Dec 24, 2016 Jennie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: europeans, history

I read Life After Life, and I was spellbound. I loved A God in Ruins because I loved Teddy. I couldn't stomach most of the other characters. I love Atkinson's writing; tiny details helping to fill in huge narrative pictures. I think I'm done reading about the Todds for now, at least. ...more

Like · see review