Transcription

A Novel

By: Kate Atkinson

Narrated by: Fenella Woolgar

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A dramatic story of WWII espionage, betrayal, and loyalty, by the number one best-selling author of Life After Life.

In 1940, 18-year-old Juliet Armstrong is reluctantly recruited into the world of espionage. Sent to an obscure department of MI5 tasked with monitoring the comings and goings of British Fascist sympathizers, she discovers the work to be by turns both tedious and terrifying. But after the war has ended, she presumes the events of those years have been relegated to the past forever.

Ten years later, now a radio producer at the BBC, Juliet is unexpectedly confronted by figures from her past. A different war is being fought now, on a different battleground, but Juliet finds herself once more under threat. A bill of reckoning is due, and she finally begins to realize that there is no action without consequence.

Transcription is a work of rare depth and texture, a bravura modern novel of extraordinary power, wit and empathy. It is a triumphant work of fiction from one of the best writers of our time.

©2018 Kate Atkinson (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Atkinson never fails to take us beyond an individual's circumstances to the achingly human, often-contradictory impulses within. And, as all of Atkinson's readers know, she is an exquisite writer of prose, using language with startling precision whether she is plumbing an inner life, describing events of appalling violence, or displaying her characters' wonderfully acerbic wit. Evoking such different but equally memorable works as Graham Greene's The Human Factor (1978) and Margaret Drabble's The Middle Ground (1980), this is a wonderful novel about making choices, failing to make them, and living, with some degree of grace, the lives our choices determine for us." (Booklist, starred review)

"There is intrigue. There are surprises. But the unknowns aren't always what we think they are. The deepest pleasure here, though, is the author's language. As ever, Atkinson is sharp, precise, and funny.... Another beautifully crafted book from an author of great intelligence and empathy." (Kirkus, starred review)

"If you loved Atkinson's Life After Life, you're in luck. If you're one of the, say, five people who didn't read it: You're still in luck - Atkinson is a master at the top of her game. A quiet, moving portrait of a guy navigating life's small pleasures and painful failures." (Marie Claire)

"Fenella Woolgar's masterful narration transforms Juliet Armstrong into a friend who is confiding a lifetime of secrets.... Woolgar's interpretations of Juliet's wry asides and commentary, peppered throughout the text, are hilarious, and she convincingly portrays a broad cast of characters, from plucky Cockney-accented errand boys to elderly women conspiratorially sharing their shocking views. Woolgar's melodious voice and dry wit carry listeners through the decades as Juliet's secrets race to catch up with her." (AudioFile)

Meh...well written, but lacks excitement

This is the first book I’ve read by the author, and I suspect that as other reviewers have point out she is a splendid novelist, but I can’t vouch for that based on Transcription. Brilliantly written at times, I was never engrossed in the story itself. As one who prefers a cozy, intellectual mystery (a la Perry Mason) over a shallow sex-filled spy novel, I found the story generally lacking. Excellent read though!

Story and narrator are fantastic

I loved two books, by this author/narrator duo and this latest book did not disappoint. It was beautifully written and so well narrated. I am sad that it is over.

World War ll, MI5, London...What could be better?

I love books written about world war 2 in London. The novel was well-researched and beautifully written. Fenella Woolgar's narration was skillful. Her mastery of voices and accents added so much. I wish I hadn't finished it already.

Transported

Both story and teller captivate your imagination; letting you slip satisfyingly into this timepiece.

I will now seek out more Kate and more Fenella.

Somewhat tedious

It took a long time to get into the flow of this book and I felt like my interest only really started picking up the final third of the book. Nice descriptive passages and good narration, but a far cry from Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Outstanding narration.

Atkinson's twists should have been expected, but it was the narrator who saved me from confusion! I truly believe her ability to retain character voices was necessary for me to survive the permutations of names in this tale of double lives. My favorite part, and don't know how Atkinson does it, is how she captures the conversations we have within our own heads. the humor in the sarcasm from her main characters; I chuckle out loud everytime.

fascinating historical novel

fascinating historical novel. in the end Juliet is a cypher, a surprise. great to hear the wonderful performance. truly great. MI5 is more than an institution of spy's, much more.

story ok. good narator.

i love the narator. the story kinda average. i stay because it's enjoyable to listen to.

Great First Half

Atkinson got off to a great start but seemed to have lost her way toward the middle and the ending was kind of "so what."

Took a LONG time to warm up

I'm sure if I had another book in the wings, I wouldn't have finished this one. I was pretty bored and ready to move on when about half way things began to gel and make me want to continue. This interesting but low intrigue story after it gets started can keep your attention on an unlikely spy during the daring WWII era. Getting to the good stuff sooner (in other words, a better editor) would have made this much easier to enjoy from the beginning. Thank goodness for a good narrator, or all would have been abandoned and I would have missed what turned out to be an interesting take on this time in history.