Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Ursula Todd may be the woman who
shoots Hitler. But then again, she may
never take a single breath. This is
Ursula’s story told over and over and over again. As she dies, she is born, and her life starts
again. She makes different choices, the
people around her make different choices, and the path of her life changes,
sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. Ursula lives in a constant state of déjà vu
remembering those crucial junctures in her life and what went wrong so she can
change her future.
This is a fascinating read. I especially loved the many versions of the events happening after Armistice Day. The author does a wonderful job illustrating how a single event, sometimes not even of your own doing, can change the course of all that comes after. And also, how that single event doesn’t seem like an event of any note at all most of the time.
This is a leisurely read that you’ll want to lose yourself in. I started on audio (which was wonderful) but I switched to print so I could unfurl the story a little faster. There are a lot of long books coming out right now (which is why this blog is so sparse this month!) but they are worth the time investment. This one especially. You’ll find yourself thinking back on your own life and those moments that determined who you would be and where you are now.
