Life After Life

by Kate Atkinson
Life After Life cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Historical Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 612
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-20
  • ISBN: 9780552779685
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2014-01-01
  • Formats: 27
  • Reviews: 4

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson is a profound and inventive exploration of second chances and the human experience. The novel follows Ursula Todd as she is born and dies on the same snowy night in 1910, only to be reborn and live through the tumultuous events of the 20th century again and again. With wit and compassion, Atkinson weaves a tapestry of life's bleakest and most hopeful moments, showcasing her extraordinary ability to evoke the past. This novel is not just a story about time travel or alternate realities; it's a deep dive into the choices we make and the consequences they have. Ursula's journey is both personal and universal, as she grapples with love, loss, and the weight of her own existence. Atkinson's writing is both poignant and humorous, making Life After Life a compelling read that celebrates the best and worst of human nature.

Reviews
Literary Review · Pamela Norris · 2025-09-19
absorbing 3.50

The novel is described as absorbing yet sprawling, with a focus on the alternative lives of its protagonist.

Pamela Norris finds the novel to be quite absorbing, praising its exploration of the protagonist's multiple lives. However, she also notes that the book can feel sprawling at times, with many different threads and timelines to follow. Despite this, she appreciates the depth and complexity of the story, which makes it a thought-provoking read. Norris highlights the author's ability to evoke different eras and settings, making the historical context come alive.

Quick quotes

    Thus, there are all sorts of things you can read into Life After Life, which makes it a fairly absorbing, yet sprawling, novel.

    In the end, I'm left with a sense of the richness and complexity of Ursula's many lives.

    Atkinson's prose is evocative and her characters are well-drawn, making the novel a compelling read despite its sprawling nature.

Dear Author · 2013-10-22
delightful 4.00

The book is serious yet lightened by a droll British humor, making it an enjoyable read with a unique perspective on life's complexities.

The reviewer finds the book to be a serious exploration of life's intricacies, but it is balanced beautifully with a sense of humor that makes it accessible and fun. They appreciate the way the story handles heavy themes with a light touch, making it a compelling read. The reviewer also notes that the British humor adds a layer of charm that makes the book stand out. Overall, they find the book to be a delightful and thought-provoking read that stays with the reader long after they've finished it.

Quick quotes

    Life after Life is a serious book, but it's leavened by a particular, droll British sense of humor throughout.

    It was fun to see some of the darker moments balanced with wit.

    The story handles heavy themes with a light touch.

The New York Times · 2013-04-26
challenging 3.50

The novel successfully juggles multiple narratives without becoming confusing, though reading it can be a mildly challenging experience.

The reviewer is impressed by the author's ability to manage a complex narrative structure without losing the reader. They find the book to be a mildly challenging read due to its ambitious scope, but they appreciate the effort and skill that went into crafting such a multifaceted story. The reviewer also notes that the book's exploration of different lives adds depth and richness to the overall narrative. While it may not be an easy read, the reviewer finds it to be a rewarding one that offers a unique perspective on life and its many possibilities.

Quick quotes

    Atkinson's juggling a lot at once — and nimbly succeeds in keeping the novel from becoming confusing.

    Even so, reading the book is a mildly challenging experience.

    The book's exploration of different lives adds depth and richness to the overall narrative.

The Guardian · 2013-03-06
marvelous 4.50

The novel is praised as a marvelous confidence trick that engages the reader in its deception. Its ambitious structure is both impressive and captivating.

The reviewer describes the book as a brilliant and intricate piece of work that manages to pull the reader into its world seamlessly. The concept of reliving life is explored with such creativity that it feels both fresh and engaging. The reviewer appreciates the way the story weaves together multiple lives, creating a rich tapestry that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. However, they also note that the complexity of the narrative could be overwhelming at times, but it never detracts from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Quick quotes

    A great big confidence trick – but one that invites the reader to take part in the deception.

    Kate Atkinson's new novel is a marvel.

    In fact, it's a triumph of storytelling.

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