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Original poster

Which Kate Atkinson book?

64 replies

Cricketbelle · 22/12/2023 09:54

I’d like to read one (or more) of her books.
Any favourites or recommendations please?

OP posts:
bridgetjonesmassivepants · 22/12/2023 13:21

I loved Shrines of Gaiety too! Listened to the audio book first which was so enjoyable and then I bought the book and read it again. God in Ruins is also really good and Life After Life. I loved the Museum one as it set in York as are many of her books.
Only ones I don't like are the short stories.

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 22/12/2023 13:14

I loved Shrines of Gaiety! I thought it was fantastic, so don't totally write it off.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 22/12/2023 13:00

Love the Jackson Brodie series bar the final one, and enjoyed Behind the Scenes at the Museum, but I haven't really loved the later stuff.

GretchenPaisleyHiggenbottom · 22/12/2023 12:57

Try any novel written by Kazuo Ishiguro instead

thefallen · 22/12/2023 12:55

Behind The Scenes is one of the best books I've ever read.

MotherOfCatBoy · 22/12/2023 12:53

I haven’t actually read any of her back catalogue but I LOVED Life after Life. It’s an amazing work. There’s a BBC adaptation as well. Then A God in Ruins was very good but LaL was better. I’m almost afraid to read her other stuff in case it just doesn’t measure up!

PamelaParis · 22/12/2023 11:38

I love Kate Atkinson! (although I haven't read Shrines of Gaiety yet...)

My favourites are Behind the Scenes at the Museum, Life After Life, and Transcription.

rickyrickygrimes · 22/12/2023 11:36

All of them!

The Jackson Brodie ones can be read as a series.

for the others. I’d agree to start with Behind the Scenes and work your way forward.

i haven’t read Shrines - what’s so bad about it?

Seroi · 22/12/2023 11:36

A God In Ruins! I preferred it to Life After Life and think it works as a standalone read

newnamethanks · 22/12/2023 11:35

Agreed. Shrines of Gaiety disappointing.

MsInterpret · 22/12/2023 10:08

Life After Life is brilliant and especially if you like time travel-y, what-if stories...

PandaG · 22/12/2023 10:08

Agree with Lovelace. Our whole reading group thought Shrines of Gaiety was not her best. I'd start with Behind the Scenes too

LovelaceBiggWither · 22/12/2023 10:06

Avoid Shrines of Gaiety. I love all her other books but am still wondering WTH about that one.

newnamethanks · 22/12/2023 10:05

Start with her first, Behind the Scenes at the Museum. Or her short stories, Not the End of the World. I love KA but you have to get a feel for her, I think, and understand her style or reader can be left a bit bemused. So start at the beginning. I hope you love her.