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56 pages 1 hour read

Kate Atkinson

Life After Life

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson follows Ursula Todd, who is repeatedly reborn in the same place and time, allowing her to experience and alter events in the tumultuous mid-20th century, particularly the World Wars. Through her various lives, Ursula explores the themes of fate, choice, and the meaning of existence against the broader backdrop of historical events. The book discusses instances of sexual violence, domestic violence, death by suicide, termination of a pregnancy, and child loss.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Kate Atkinson's Life After Life has garnered praise for its inventive narrative structure, exploring themes of destiny and resilience through Ursula's multiple lives. Critics lauded Atkinson's prose and character development, though some found the repetitive timeline confusing. Overall, it's celebrated for its originality and emotional depth.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Life After Life?

Fans of historical fiction and intricate narratives will relish Kate Atkinson's Life After Life. If you enjoyed the complex temporal structures in Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife or the profound historical reflections in The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, you'll find this novel compelling and thought-provoking.

Book Details
Pages

560

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • 20th century

Theme
Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

970L

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