On a cold winter day in 1910, Ursula is born. Again. And again. And again. Every time Ursula dies, she is born again, and given the chance to live her life anew. But Ursula has no way of knowing this, only a vague recollection of events that have previously happened and a dread of what she did or didn’t do in previous lives. As she lives her life over and over, experiencing the lead-up to World War II and a whole range of different outcomes to her life, we start to wonder: can Ursula change history?
I really enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of so-called “quiet” books and though some of the events in this one are more explosive, this is at its heart a book about chances. The smallest actions of Ursula’s change the entire trajectory of her life. As we go back to that February day in 1910, we start to see the entire picture of what was happening that day, for instance; while some readers might get bored by the fact that we go through that day each and every time Ursula dies, I loved how it let Kate Atkinson build up the entire scene, through all the supporting characters, and finally leave us with something still to think about at the end of the book.
It also has the advantage of being set in a fascinating period of British history, spanning both World Wars over the course of its length. While it’s tethered to the world we know, the reincarnation aspect allows Atkinson to explore what might have happened if – and this is at the heart of the book. What happens when Ursula stands up for herself is completely different to what happens when Ursula is simply unable to do that. One of the most heartbreaking episodes in the book, when Ursula’s life turns out to be devastating, is through something that is not her fault in the slightest but completely destroys her self-worth and confidence. And, of course, she blames herself, and the guilt and blame imposed by that sole event change the course of her life. It’s also one of the most problematic, because she manages to subvert and avoid that very event next time, but as ordinary women without her sense of foreboding, we can’t hope for the same.
I also loved the World War II sections; I think many readers will agree that there’s just something about the London blitz which, horrifying as it was, is almost guaranteed fascinating reading. In Ursula’s situation there are simply so many different outcomes and the book’s structure allows Atkinson to explore each and every one. Regardless if Ursula dies or Ursula lives, anything could happen to anyone she loves. It’s not a wonderful situation, but it made for wonderful reading, and Atkinson pulls off the reincarnation trick over and over.
When I purchased this book, I read it almost immediately; I’d heard a lot of hype and I simply wanted to read it for myself. After doing so, I’m pleased that it lived up to all of that and more. I’d happily recommend – and will be recommending – this book, and I’ll certainly be going straight for the rest of the Kate Atkinson on my TBR pile.
I am really looking forward to reading this. I enjoyed the one Kate Atkinson book I read and this one sounds even better. I admit though that all the hype has put me off reading it sooner than later.
Literary Feline´s last post …Where is Your Bookmark? (01/28/2014)
I really enjoyed this. I am looking forward to reading more from her. I have Case Histories on my TBR.
Kailana´s last post …Week in Review (4)
This was my favorite book from last year. I loved it for all the reasons you mention here. It’s the small things, and then you know, I think I only scratched the surface of pondering and understanding this book. And the settings were fantastic.
Anna (Diary of an Eccentric)´s last post …Mailbox Monday — January 27
Enjoyed your review.
Mystica´s last post …THE INCONVENIENT DUCHESS by CHRISTINE MERRILL
Life after Life is the third good novel I have read since the start of 2014 — the others being Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. Of the three, the Kent book is the one that I found most striking. I enjoyed The Goldfinch and although I was apprehensive about the 800 pages, I found that it was a fast and enjoyable read. I worried Life after Life might not live up to the other two but am enjoying it. Unlike you, I am not too keen on the war section but I love the sections set in the earlier years of the nineteenth century.
Izzy Reads´s last post …Where the Dickens?