When Will There Be Good News?

A Novel

By: Kate Atkinson

Narrated by: Ellen Archer

Length: 11 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

On a hot summer day, Joanna Mason's family slowly wanders home along a country lane. A moment later, Joanna's life is changed forever.

On a dark night 30 years later, ex-detective Jackson Brodie finds himself on a train that is both crowded and late. Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly hears a shocking sound.

At the end of a long day, 16-year-old Reggie is looking forward to watching a little TV. Then a terrifying noise shatters her peaceful evening. Luckily, Reggie makes it a point to be prepared for an emergency.

These three lives come together in unexpected and deeply thrilling ways in the latest novel from Kate Atkinson, the critically acclaimed author who Harlan Coben calls "an absolute must-read".

©2008 Kate Atkinson (P)2008 Hachette Audio

Wonderfully crafted - round characters twisted plot

Read the book and then listened to it. Never grows old. Found a new appreciation for the author at every turn. The beauty of word choice, passages quoted from nursery rhymes and bits of poetry, fables and psalms - all well chosen. Well done - written & read. Archer is a gem; Atkinson an artisan.

When WiIl There Be Good news

I was disappointed but it was average reading.

Horrible Narrator, Stopped Listening

I lasted 15 minutes but couldn't do more. This narrator positively butchers the British accent but when she attempted the Devon accent I lost it entirely. No way am I going to sit here and listen to that, especially knowing that Stephen Crossley read this book but for whatever reason it's not available on Audible. I therefore turned to my trusty local library, which has the Crossley version and thank goodness because I'd have otherwise skipped this book altogether and just got on with the next in the series - the reading is that bad.
The narrator has the sketches of a British accent but she loses the vowels and most importantly she has no grasp whatsoever of British humor or emphasis, so that phrases which should be funny when spoken by a native sound wooden and awkward when she reads them, and the humor and wit is, sadly, lost. On top of these deficits add in her breathy, urgent style and it's all too much, a total mismatch for the story, which deserves a fantastic narrator and got saddled with this one.

UNBEARABLE Narration

I started this book prepared to love it. My mother had recommended it as her favorite of Atkinson's novels, having read the physical book.
Unfortunately I just couldn't bear to listen to this narrator. Who on earth thought it was a good idea to use an American putting on a fake British accent? Her character voices were just so far beyond the pale it beggars belief. Such a tragedy, as, despite restarting the book at least 4 times, I just couldn't pay attention to the storyline because the narration was so distracting.
Maybe the book was good, but I just couldn't suffer the constant mis-pronunciation.

I'd love to give this book another shot if they re-record it with one of the many, many fabulous British-accented performers out there.

well written, well read...who could ask for more?

....except that MS. Atkinson keeps Jackson Brodie going, and that good readers, who understand writing, keep performing them.

I really enjoy this author.

Several reviewers commented on the narrator's accent. Since I'm not British I don't know from correct accents, so it sounded great to me. I got hooked on Kate Atkinson after I read Life After Life, which I think was a work of genius.

LOVE!

The best book in the series so far. Loved the strong, vividly imagined female characters, especially Reggie. The narration was perfect, with one narrator giving each character their own distinct voice. Was over way too soon!

loved it

I love the author's witty style and her extraordinary command of English and other languages. Her plot twists are unpredictable . Her characters are varied and speak in different voices, a skill which many writers seem to lack. I wish she'd written a dozen more Jackson Brody novels.

Really bad choice of narrator

I found myself engrossed in the story, but Ellen Archer's attempts at all the accents are so awful I couldn't go on. I am an American and *I* could tell how bad they were. She mangled not just the distinctions among the Scottish, Irish, Yorkshire, and other accents, but basic, common features of UK Englishes that anyone with a moderately good ear, let alone a voice acting professional, should be able to master. As others have said, she had a very pleasant voice and nice intonation and I'd happily listen to her do a book where she didn't have to attempt any dialect or accent, but this was a disastrous mismatch of book and narrator.

I checked my local library for this series and found to my delight that they have THIS SAME TITLE read by the wonderful Steven Crossley. I returned this recording and checked that one out. I'm not sure why Audible does not have that recording, but I hope they can get it.

Mystery Series With Complexity & Depth

I recently stumbled upon Kate Atkinson's writing when I read and loved Life After Life. Next I came upon and devoured her mystery series which, so far, has four books. Book one--Case Histories, book two--One Good Turn and then this third book--When Will There Be Good News. I am reviewing the first three books in the series as a group here--viewing them as a unit.

As with all of Atkinson's writing the stories are complicated and she bends time to suit her whim. Once you get the hang of the "two steps forward three steps backwards" approach and understand the author's take on time--the storytelling takes on a life of its own. Characters weave in and out of each novel and their lives grow and change. Facts are revealed from multiple angles and in gradual degrees. To me, this captivates and keeps things really interesting.

I love the Jackson Brody character. I particularly enjoy seeing how his life plays out with the outlandish troop of extras that Atkinson deftly captures. These are not neat and tidy books. Good guys blend with bad guys and at times nothing is as it seems. All the makings necessary for excellent mystery/crime writing are present here. To me, Atkinson does not disappoint.

Highly recommended--but do read the series in order--as one book builds on the next. Oh, and yes, you need to pay attention to small details and give the stories time to play themselves out. I think it's worth it in the end.