Life After Life BBC2 Tuesday 9pm

[KatieKat88]

Anyone else excited for this? I've literally just finished re-reading the book, really hope they do a good job with it!

I've only watched two episodes so far. I've read the books ('Life after Life' and the sequel) but it's been a long time since I read them, so my memory is a little hazy. It's a good adaptation but the deaths seem to happen much quicker - in the books there was a slower build up and I was content to just read along and take in the assorted characters and events. When I was watching the programme, I found myself holding my breath waiting for the inevitable.

I had no idea this was on!

Came to this board for some suggestions for the bank holiday (weather forecast not great), so that answers my question! I absolutely loved the book

Oh lucky you to be able to discover all of Kate Atkinson’s books. She is my favourite. I named my daughter after a character in “Behind the Scenes at the Museum:” (Not spoilt brat Gillian!)

I’m loving this series. I was so worried that they’d spoil it but I really think it works. Sylvia is exactly how I pictured her, and Hugh to a large extent. I re read A God In Ruins last week in readiness to remind myself of the characters without having to reference Life after Life the book.

I've binge watched on Iplayer too and loved it. I'm going to order Life after Life and a God in Ruins - can't believe I've missed out so far on this author!

Like @DailyMaui says, it will be so good for those PPs who haven’t read Kate Atkinson to discover all those delights. Envious!

Yes so jealous of those of you who haven't read Kate Atkinson yet . Life after life is my favourite but behind the scenes of the museum is great too though took me a little longer to get into so if you start with that it's definitely worth keeping going If it doesnt instantly grab you and all her more crime based books (when will there be good news etc ) everything she writes I just love

I recommend beginning, if new to KA, with her short story collection to give you the 'flavour' of her writing. Can't recall title but someone on here will know. Can't express enough admiration for her, she's such a skilled writer.

'Not the End of the World'

Have now watched Life After Life and Anatomy of a Scandal.
At a loss as to what next?

Isn’t Anatomy of a Scandal good?

I’m just re-reading “Behind the Scenes at The Museum” and it is still my favourite. For a first novel, it is astonishing. I love how Kate Atkinson’s novel’s are quite dark - and have so many layers. I also love how they’re not linear but go back and forth through time. If I was to recommend when and what to read - I’d do this order:
Behind The Scenes At The Museum
Life After Life
A God In Ruins
Case Histories
One Good Turn
When Will There Be Good News
Started Early, Took My Dog
Big Sky
Emotionally Weird

And then the others I’m not mad about (which feels like sacrilege really. Sorry Kate.) I cannot wait for her next one though because she is so consistently good.

Well I've watched episode 2 about a week late but I think they're doing a really good job. The Howie/Derek life is horrible to read and I think they've done a good job of capturing that.

I've just finished watching this, really enjoyed it.

Wasn't sure about the ending though, was that her last life or does she keep coming back for eternity?

Just seen first episode and enjoyed it

I'm also a bit envious of those coming to the books for the first time. The joy of GIR is the expansion of the world and characters you already love from LAL. No spoilers but GIR haunted me for months after.

I'm halfway through re-reading GIR and already bracing myself for the end, it really got to me the first time!

I loved reading Life After Life a few years back and really enjoyed watching this. It gripped me emotionally, it was so beautifully acted. I didn't know about A God in Ruins so will seek it out.

Just seen there’s a new Kate Atkinson book coming out in September

I’m so excited to have been introduced to a new author and I’m absolutely loving Life after life. Book and on tv

I think they are leaving it ambiguous? Have you read the book? From memory, there are many more iterations of the war scenario, in particular the bit in the cafe.

I loved this. Thought is was a much better adaptation than that of the Jackson Brodie novels a few years ago. Yes the Howie/Derek life very well done and then her reaction when she meets Derek in a different life - brilliant. As PPs have said, very well acted.

I think it's an excellent adaptation. I am just going at the speed of the TV rather than on iplayer. It did make me laugh when her mum said (about Derek and his latest book about the Plantegents) that she had married the most boring man in the world. She really had!

The second time she meets Derek was soo very satisfying!

For those of you who are jealous of people, such as myself, who are new to her writing, you could always, you know, die and be re-born and get to discover them all over again.

Sorry, couldn't resist...

I'd forgotten that, what happened?

I haven't read any of the books - possibly might now though these days I have difficulty reading anything not "bite size".

I did, however, enjoy the TV series and have already binge watched all episodes at least twice. I found a lot of it immensely thought provoking and quite sad, particularly the scene with her child and the pharmacy.

However, I was glad to see Ursula's reaction to Derek (Mumsnet would have turn him to shreds) in a later life. 🌹

I think in the book there is a hint that the mother goes through many lives as well? I may be misremembering though.