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Transcription - Kate Atkinson

31 replies

southeastdweller · 12/08/2018 19:45

Out next month:

www.waterstones.com/book/transcription/kate-atkinson/9780857525888

I'm a big fan of hers and I'm really looking forward to reading this.

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longwayoff · 11/10/2018 19:18

Loved Kate Atkinsons earlier writing but the last 2 book have missed the boat for me. She is formidably clever, extremely witty and writes like an angel but I've not clicked with these later books. Which is infuriating as I have travelled hopefully towards them.

tripfiction · 07/10/2018 10:51

I have enjoyed KA in the past, this one I felt had a lot of positives - good writing for the most part, humour, subterfuge, obfuscation (what a great word) and more, but ultimately I fell it coasted to the end. And - I feel a little uncomfortable saying this - but I felt the book was a little pleased with itself. I gave it 4*

Transcription - Kate Atkinson
Tootyfilou · 02/10/2018 21:44

I loved it! Listened to the audio book, thought the narrator was excellent.
Loved Juliet and Perry ... who I imagined looking like Matthew Goode!

Saucery · 02/10/2018 19:38

It was ok, but nothing special. Her books always seem to have grand structures and ideas and while this was a cut above the Girl On A Train To Appleyard THE MOST THRILLINGEST THRILLER YOU WILL READ ALL YEAR!!! drivel it was just.....average. I liked the BBC history elements but some of the plot and character devices had great flashing signposts above them.
I had a strong reaction to the twist in Life After Life. This one barely caused a ripple. It was very pedestrian. Maybe if it had been fleshed out a bit more it would have been better.
The beginning and end were neither use nor ornament. I reread them to see if any clues had been left that I had missed to explain how that came about, but nope, again all rather rushed and unsatisfactory.

CramptonHodnet · 02/10/2018 15:46

I listened to the audio book of it last week. Whilst I did enjoy the story very much, I did find some of the characters confusing. There seemed to be so many men, some from the BBC and some from her war time MI5 work and, without seeing them all written down, I kind of hoped for the best that it wouldn't matter that I couldn't remember who some of them were and where they fitted into the story. It all seemed to make enough sense in the end :)

Cherrypi · 02/10/2018 14:52

What a disappointment. I got most of the men confused as they all seemed the same. It did pick up near the end after a dull middle but I was expecting more.

Deliphant · 18/09/2018 12:05

From the blurb it looks really good - definitely my sort of thing. Loved Life after Life, but found A God in Ruins a bit disappointing .

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southeastdweller · 16/09/2018 17:10

Just finished it and feeling quite underwhelmed Sad. Juliet never came alive to me and did anyone else struggle to keep track of all the characters?

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ScribblyGum · 12/09/2018 18:51

I DNFd it. Started well and then it just dribbled along until I realised I was just bored and didn’t care. Some really clunky writing too. Not one of her best.

angelicanto · 12/09/2018 17:21

Finished! Yes, I thought the twist was disappointing too- I don't think we heard enough about her life after the war to see the clues iyswim.......unless I missed something.

I'm seein Kate A at an event tomorrow night. I've heard her talk before, about Life after life. She is intimidatingly clever!!

PlayingForKittens · 12/09/2018 12:05

If I loved life after life but did not get on with a God in ruins am I going to like this one?

hackmum · 12/09/2018 11:59

I've read it! Happy to talk about it. Enjoyed it but was disappointed in the twist. (Hope it's not a spoiler to say there's a twist.) I do think there's a danger of Kate Atkinson becoming the new Ian McEwan, ie too clever for her own good.

angelicanto · 11/09/2018 19:25

I'm nearly finished! Got less than 100 pages left, might finish it tonight.

I think I enjoyed the 1940 section more than I'm enjoying the 1950 section?? All very intriguing so far.......

LadyWithLapdog · 11/09/2018 18:51

I've read it. Does anyone want to talk about it yet?

angelicanto · 07/09/2018 18:30

Got mine yesterday!

ScribblyGum · 06/09/2018 17:19

Downloaded the audiobook this morning and am about an hour and a half in. All good so far, narrator is doing a fine job.

Cherrypi · 05/09/2018 16:21

Looking forward to this coming tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a toddler nap.

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southeastdweller · 03/09/2018 19:33

Has anyone bought a copy yet? I noticed Waterstones already have it in. Might get it from Amazon as I doubt anywhere else will have it cheaper than £13.99 for the hardback.

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brokenshoes · 25/08/2018 20:02

I'm really excited about the new Kate Atkinson too.

Just placemarking...

BaconAndAvocado · 23/08/2018 20:51

Ooh yes I definitely want to read the new Sarah Perry.

angelican · 20/08/2018 20:11

So excited about this. I have preordered and am also going to hear her speak at a Waterstones event. I saw her when life after life came out and she was intimidatingly clever.

So many great new books to look forward to this autumn- alongside this I have preordered the new Robert Galbraith, new Rebus, new one by CJ Samson and new one by Sarah Perry who wrote the Essex Serpent.

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southeastdweller · 20/08/2018 20:07

I’m also going to a talk she’s doing and have pre-ordered the hardback. Roll on publication day!

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BaconAndAvocado · 19/08/2018 19:09

I'm going to see KA do a signing and Q and A session at Waterstones in September - a birthday pressie from a good friend.

I'm beyond excited, she's my all time favourite author. I never usually buy a hardcover edition but will save my pennies for this occasion.

I need to think up a clever question for her!

PickleNeedsAFriendInReading · 16/08/2018 19:32

I read the proof version a few months ago and am dying for it to come out so I can discuss what actually happened?!?! with people.

oh, is it one of those with ambiguous ending sort of things? I find those so frustrating, especially if I've enjoyed the book all the way through!!

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