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Original poster

Kate Atkinson recommendations

38 replies

MargotMoon · 01/10/2017 10:35

Over the years I keep seeing people recommend Kate Atkinson very enthusiastically. I've always had it in my head that I read 'Behind the Scenes at a Museum' and thought it was just OK but I've just now read the blurb and am fairly certain (crap memory though) that haven't.

So now I'm thinking I should give her a go and wondering where to start - with that one? Or something else? And can anyone summarise what style of writer she is?

OP posts:
msatlantis · 01/10/2017 22:40

I loved the Jackson Brodie novels. Gripping.

MsAwesomeDragon · 01/10/2017 22:38

I've just downloaded behind the scenes on audiobook from my library. I hope it's as good as you all day it is.

Original poster
MargotMoon · 01/10/2017 22:37

Wow, loads of recommendations for Life After Life and Behind the Scenes then! Will try the library first, hopefully they'll have one or both.

OP posts:
MsAwesomeDragon · 01/10/2017 20:03

I'm adding to the recommendations for life after life. My mil found it really hard going and gave me her copy when she gave up on it after only a few chapters. I loved it. I've read God in ruins but it didn't grab me in the same way, I finished it and it was good but not as good as life after life.

I haven't read any more of hers but I think I may have to look for her in the library.

Gottalovesummer · 01/10/2017 19:58

Loved behind the scenes and human croquet. Have reread both several times

Life after life is one of my favourite books ever. It stayed with me for ages after I finished it.

She's just an amazing storyteller.

strawberrypenguin · 01/10/2017 19:55

Another vote for Life after Life being amazing!

Queenofthedrivensnow · 01/10/2017 19:52

Behind the scenes is very upsetting in places. My best friend and I have said 'arms of jesus' as a euphemism for death for years as a direct reference to that book.

I loved the Jackson Brodie novels.

Life after life is a bit hard going emotionally too. I'm also struggling with god in ruins

sheepflower · 01/10/2017 17:20

She an amazing writer. I really liked Behind the scenes at the museum. I love her writing style. Also I liked A God in ruins but not the ending so much. I haven't read any of her others yet but will soon.

SatsukiKusakabe · 01/10/2017 17:15

God in Ruins is in a lot of ways a more accessible read, but it isn't as good as LAL imo.

SatsukiKusakabe · 01/10/2017 17:14

I liked Life After Life and God in Ruins to a lesser extent, but Behind the Scenes at the Museum is really special (in terms of the structure and inspiration) and came out first so start with that. She writes excellent prose, witty and sharp.

Wormulonian · 01/10/2017 12:41

My favourite is Behind the Scenes. The Jackson Brodie novels are entirely different in style - more lightweight and could almost be by a different writer but have more humour.

Walkacrossthesand · 01/10/2017 11:10

Life after life bowled me over too, but like kurius I didn't enjoy the sequel (God in ruins) as much.

Kuriusoranj · 01/10/2017 10:54

Life After Life is awesomely good, in my opinion. It's absolutely one of my favourite books - by turns funny and genuinely wracked-with-sobs heartbreaking. I'm trying repeatedly to get into the sequel, but it's not speaking to me in the same way yet, although an awful lot of people seem to think it's better.

The Jackson Brodie stories are good too - try Case Histories and if you like that, you'll like them. And if you haven't read Behind the Scenes at the Museum, you really should give that a go.

She's a superb writer, for the most part - I'd describe her stuff as grounded in reality but with a little bit of a skew. She reminds me of Margaret Attwood in some ways, although thematically wildly different.

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