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Life After Life  By  cover art

Life After Life

By: Kate Atkinson
Narrated by: Fenella Woolgar
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Publisher's summary

What if you could live again and again, until you got it right?

On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born to an English banker and his wife. She dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in a variety of ways, while the young century marches on towards its second cataclysmic world war.

Does Ursula's apparently infinite number of lives give her the power to save the world from its inevitable destiny? And if she can - will she? Darkly comic, startlingly poignant, and utterly original: this is Kate Atkinson at her absolute best.

©2011 Kate Atkinson (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"A densely layered, century-sprawling work that is a formidable bid for the brass ring of the U.K.'s prestigious Man Booker Prize. Life After Life is a drama of failures and providential rebirths...High-concept premise...A deft and convincing portrayal of an English family's evolution across two world wars...Marvelous...Not only does she bring characters to life with enviable ease, she has an almost offhand knack for vivid scene-setting ...Her storytelling prowess is on fullest display in a gorgeous and nerve-racking novella-length chapter set during the Blitz...It's spellbindingly done." (Sam Sacks, The Wall Street Journal)

"Life After Life is a masterpiece about how even the smallest choices can sometimes change the course of history. It's wise, bittersweet, funny, and unlike anything else you've ever read. Kate Atkinson is one of my all-time favorite novelists, and I believe this is her best book yet." (J. Courtney Sullivan, best-selling author of Maine and Commencement)

"Life After Life is dark and funny and suspenseful and sad all at the same time." (Emily Ecton, NPR, Great Reads of 2013)

Featured Article: It Was the Best of Scribes—The Best British Authors


With its esteemed history and bold contemporary scene, Britain lays claim to some of the most exciting literature in audio. With the hundreds of incredible British writers throughout the centuries, a person could devote their whole literary life solely to British authors and still never run out of amazing things to listen to. Whether you're an avid Anglophile or just want to discover the best English novelists for yourself, here’s a list of the best for you to choose from!

What listeners say about Life After Life

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Fascinating!

Filled with memorable characters and fascinating accounts of life during World War II in England and Germany.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A best seller for good reason!

Any additional comments?

I did not find this hard to follow, and I listen while exercising. But you do need to pay attention. It was a very compelling story and unlike any I have read before. I highly recommend it!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved this book!

It took a while to get used to the "return to yesterday" story construction, but it was worth it! I suggest you not listen to it before you fall asleep as you do have to pay attention.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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My book of the year!

I'm curious to see if someone else can come up with a more original, more engaging premise for a book in 2013. Praised by Gillian ("Gone Girl") Flynn as the book she herself wished she had written. Can't wait to listen to it again.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful story, beautifully written and narrated

Don't miss this gem. Kate Atkinson's use of the language is marvelous. The narration is perfection. It isn't a mystery novel, so you know what's coming, so what... it arrives beautifully.

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Life after Life

Outstanding literature. Fascinating and unique story line. I cried and laughed in equal proportion. Recommend for anyone who lived through or anyone interested early 20th century life.
This s book touched my soul.

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Loved it

A unique story with rich, interesting characters beautifully told.
Kate Atkinson is a gifted author. Can’t wait to read more.

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Great original book

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it had originality it’s different from what I normally listen to.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Not for my taste

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I didn't feel like I ever got into this. It was a series life possibilities but I never got to feel like I knew the characters. Way too far fetched in some instances.

What was most disappointing about Kate Atkinson’s story?

Got a bit old and was easy to see what was going to happen as each scenario unfolded. The change of outlook prevented the depth of character development. Some scenarios were very brief and others contained so much detail that the story line (lines) didn't seem to run fluidly.

What about Fenella Woolgar’s performance did you like?

She was an excellent narrator. Did a good job of differentiating the voices. I will see what else she has narrated and if the subject intrigues me, I would certainly enjoy listening to her again.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

Any additional comments?

Just not thrilled with this rendering of an interesting premise. I chose it based on other reviews - but we all don't have the same taste even if we read many of the same books.

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19 people found this helpful

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What a surprise

Far more than any historical novel that I've read. Amazing. Imaginative. Addictive. I'm off to read her other books. Starting right away.

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3 people found this helpful