Ksboydie answers “What about the scene when Ursula is 13, I...”

Anne asked this question about Life After Life:

What about the scene when Ursula is 13, I think, and visiting Izzie in London. Izzie is driving and busy turning the car around for some reason, and meanwhile Ursula sees her mother emerge from a hotel, wearing her mink coat, on the arm of a well-dressed man. I read the kindle version, so I haven't been able to go back yet and find that part. I don't think we ever get an explanation for that scene.

Ksboydie Hi Anne, we were just discussing this at book club last week. I got this chill when I read one of the last chapters and the author seemed to suggest t…moreHi Anne, we were just discussing this at book club last week. I got this chill when I read one of the last chapters and the author seemed to suggest that Sylvie has the same ability as Ursula does to live her life over. Re-read the last description of Ursula's birth - Sylvie is prepared for the fact that Ursula will have the cord tied around her neck with her surgical scissors. The last line of that chapter is 'Practice makes perfect.' For this reason I feel that Sylvie could have been leading one of her alternate lives when Ursula saw her. Just a hypothosis because Atkinson doesn't explore this in any depth.(less)

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Kerin Awe...that explains that. Thank You!
Mar 14, 2017 02:56PM · flag

Carolyn Taylor I agree. Sylvie also knew to send Ursula to see the specialist who believes in reincarnation and suffered depression and I had the sense the whole way ...more
Sep 05, 2019 04:24PM · flag

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