From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…

Life After Life (Todd Family, #1)

Kate Atkinson

Start date: September 15, 2013

Finish date: October 15, 2013

Discussion: Reading List

Discussion leader: Sherry

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Reading List

* The Schedule for July through Dec. 2025
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What Members Thought

Apr 14, 2013 Linda rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, book-discussion-read, uu-opal

This book pulled me in and would not let go. The writing was precise and beautiful. The story follows Ursula Todd through numerous replays of her life. Most in my book discussion had trouble following the plot(s), but I did not. It turned out that those of us who liked "The Time Traveler's Wife" liked this and those who didn't, didn't.
This book really spoke to me especially during times of loss for Ursula. I think 4.5 stars would be closer my true rating. ...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Jessica rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: england, world-war-ii, between-the-wars, speculative-fiction

This book has gotten a flood of positive press, and having now reached the end/beginning, I feel like it's very much warranted. Atkinson takes an out-there idea but grounds it in such a richly detailed reality that you can't help but be drawn into Ursula's world and her unending cycle. But what really sells it for me is that it's not just about Ursula - every secondary and tertiary character gets the sort of treatment that even some protagonists in weaker books don't get. So perfectly tuned and ...more

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Jul 07, 2013 Rosana rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2013, bookish-s13-challenge

I liked this book very, very, very much. But I did not love this book. And I am left wondering why. It has so many of the elements I like in a book: great writing, intriguing structure, philosophical questionings… I completely understand the hype around it, as it is a great accomplishment by the author that the characters remain true to themselves in such a myriad of scenarios, and the scenarios themselves are creditable. But it lacked some element that I am having trouble verbalizing.

I took a ...more

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Sep 05, 2013 Paige rated it really liked it

4 1/2 stars. It took me a while to get through this book (thank you, work; thank you, school) and also a while to get around to reviewing it... It was an enjoyable read. I really liked Atkinson's writing style, her vocabulary, and most of all the way she draws characters. Although this book is over 500 pages long, it definitely didn't feel like it to me (it took so long to get through because I had so much other stuff going on, not because of any drag in the book!).

I kind of rolled my eyes at th 4 1/2 stars. It took me a while to get through this book (thank you, work; thank you, school) and also a while to get around to reviewing it... It was an enjoyable read. I really liked Atkinson's writing style, her vocabulary, and most of all the way she draws characters. Although this book is over 500 pages long, it definitely didn't feel like it to me (it took so long to get through because I had so much other stuff going on, not because of any drag in the book!).

I kind of rolled my eyes at the opening of the book, a scene that depicts the of a murder of "the Fuhrer," thinking that the whole "go-back-and-kill-Hitler" thing would predominate. But it didn't, really. And actually (view spoiler)

I also thought Atkinson did a pretty good job handling (view spoiler)

Anyway, overall I quite enjoyed it. It gives you a lot to think about--how the world we live in is just one of many possible worlds. It didn't completely blow me away (which is why I'm withholding the last half-star--jeez, I'm stingy!), though I do think Atkinson is worth reading again. ...more

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Sep 09, 2013 Dree rated it it was amazing

Shelves: continental-europe, 5-star-adult-fiction, england-uk-ireland, women-s-prize-long-short, 2014-reads

Excellent book, clever idea--and fascinating stories. I love stories with lots of characters that are well developed, and in this book Atkinson develops different parts of her characters while exploring the butterfly effect (for lack of a better explanation). How might small happenings or quick decisions affect our lives and the lives of those around us?

Even those characters we don't see much of (Derek, Mr Emslie) still leave a strong impression. And Maurice has to be one of my most hated charac ...more

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Nov 23, 2014 Curious Squid rated it liked it

I had a hard time deciding whether to give this book 2 or three stars. I gave 3 because it was readable and I was curious to know where it was going.

It seemed way to similar to the "Choose Your Own Adventure" series from my childhood, or some sort o writers workshop assignment. (How many endings can you write to this scenario in 45 min?)

Didn't seem like a particularly fresh idea, and I am surprised it is so highly rated. All and all I'd give this book a big solid - Meh. ...more

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