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)

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.

Vocal fry can ruin a good book.

I love Kate Atkinson, but cannot read her books (or others) due to chronic migraine and eye pain. So I am very dependent upon Audible’s readers. I am just halfway through this one, and want very much to finish it, but OMG this Fenella Woolgar has such unbearable vocal fry. She seems to employ it purposely, to depict unsavory characters, but she makes them so irritating I keep shutting her off. I might have to ask my husband to read me the book instead — we did it for “Reckless Daughter,” the bio of Joni Mitchell, after a sample of her reader sent me scrambling for the off button. (I was somewhat relieved when other reviewers concurred.) But he can’t read everything to me. Oh, how I wish Audible’s management would screen their readers for vocal fry. It’s become an epidemic among narrators, newscasters, and podcasters. Clear your throats, people!

Cold War twins overshadow dissolving empires

Excellent book about truth, appearance, loyalty, love, and beliefs in the shadow of dissolving empires and the emergence of new ones far away. Hippopotamuses dancing while crickets get crushed- the heroine sympathizes with the working stiff as the wealthy align and are enamored of enemies that could preserve their degrading way of life. Is it worth fighting for?

great whodunnit a the bbc

this book was compelling from start to finish. a good story with a terrific cast of characters. I didn't love the ending but that is so often true for me. really nice performance by the reader.

confusing timeline

excellent story was made difficult to follow on audible because the timeline jumped back & forth.

Solid plot, stunning ending

Excellent in every way.

The backdrop of WW2 London seems realistic and is compelling, as is the postwar part. The storyline interested me from the very beginning and and my only increased as the book continued. the narrator is excellent. The ending is quite something. Still vivid in my thoughts.

confused...

Is this a satire? This book is eccentric, sarcastic, infantile? Into chapter 13.. thinking of giving up on it...

Surprise ending

A fairly intriguing development of a WWII secret agent told rather benignly, yet captivatingly. The narrator is excellent.

Wonderful reader, engrossing novel

Despite the flashbacks and complicated relationships of spies, the novel is utterly enthralling and the reader is perfect. Together they take the listener into WWII England and the terror and uncertainty of the moment. Utterly engrossing, informative, and thought provoking. Loved it.