A Review: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

Ursula Todd is born to an ordinary family on a snowy evening in 1910. However, Ursula's no ordinary girl, because while she lives in one life, she dies in another. Kate Atkinson allows readers to witness the alternative lives one woman leads while experiencing two great wars in different locations in Europe. Unfolding through an intense series of chain of events, the story is sure to leave readers reeling long after they finish.

In the past I've seen novels hyped to the point where I would have been happy to not ever see the title again. I initially heard about this one through Twitter--it seemed like everyone was reading it or talking about reading it--and I took the bait. I listened to people sing its praises, but deliberately kept myself ignorant of the storyline. So... in the spirit, I'm not going to divulge too much.

Set amidst two calamitous world wars, Life After Life depicts some rather weighty topics, giving the reader an intimate glimpse into this era. Atkinson provides gritty details and the ruthlessness that festers during trying times. I was thoroughly impressed with her depiction of the WWII effort because I found it to be presented in such a different light than most war novels that often romanticize the period.

First, I want to emphasize that the hype didn't kill this one. When I finished reading the digital ARC I received from Little, Brown and Co., I immediately pre-ordered a physical copy so I could reread as soon as possible. I strongly suggest getting a hard copy of this one, if you can. I've grown to love my Kindle, but there are some books that just go down better in physical form. It's the type of novel that will have have you flipping back and forth in order to absorb every detail.

I want to offer more because I absolutely fell in love with this novel, but honestly can't give you what you deserve without a reread. While I will admit that it did take me several chapters to get sucked in, I was unable to start anything long after after completing because I couldn't stop thinking about Ursula and her incredible lives. Atkinson proves that she is a creative genius, offering multiple outcomes so vivid and varying that you'll find yourself lost in each new situation. Completely different than anything I've ever read, I can't recommend Life After Life enough. Read it!

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A Review: The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons

Elise Landau, at 19 years old, has lived a privileged life among her liberal family in Vienna, Austria. Champagne, luxurious bath salts and silk dresses are the norm.  However, as many Jewish families begin to disappear, Elise is shipped to England to work as a house maid in an expansive, stately home by the seaside, while her family stays behind. The reader watches as Elise struggles to digest new expectations, the uncertainty of her parents whereabouts and the declaration of WWII.  When Elise meets Kit, the heir to the Tyneford estate, life becomes more colorful than Elise could ever have imagined.

I picked this novel up when I saw that it was compared to Downton Abbey (I was actually hoping for something less soapy and a bit more historical).  I can say, for certain, that it was very much like Downton Abbey (Wrexham is Carson in my mind), soaptastic and all.  I managed to finish it rather quickly as the story moves at a steady pace and didn't require too much analysis.

Solomons stunned me with her descriptions of the luxury of the city of Vienna, and the verdurous landscape of the English countryside. Tyneford, a city by the sea, is described in such detail that you can smell the salty air and the sand on your skin.

Solomons realistically displayed the changes to Elise's character as the story progressed. Elise, the baby of the family, is spoiled and naive.  She's often whiny and suffers from self esteem issues.  However, once in England, Elise loses her freedom immediately, and it's here that we she finally begins to construct her own identity.  After being forced into service, Elise is independent for the first time in her life. She befriends a vibrant cast of characters and revels in the landscape that surrounds her.

I'll admit that a romance constitutes the last half of the novel. And this was the bit that I didn't really enjoy. I felt that most of the situations created to help the story along were contrived and mostly outrageous. I was disappointed in the lack of detail about Elise's emotional turmoil.  One never knows how individuals respond in difficult times, especially being forced from your family, but I felt that the author focused on her love life and not the serious events that were occurring all around.  The conclusion was a little rushed and left me wanting more insight  on Elise's life after the war.

All and all, it was an entertaining read that I managed to finish rather quickly.  I definitely recommend it to those seeking interesting characters and landscapes without making a huge investment.  And I highly recommend it to those who need a Downton fix while waiting for the next episode.

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