"Life After Life" by Kate Atkinson

I read this one because several colleagues remarked that this was "one of their favorite books this year."  It also has outstanding reviews, with many comparing it to "Code Name Verity."  Like many experiences these past few weeks, however, the book was sadly a disappointment.  It's not ~that~ bad, just not “fab,” as I had expected.  The issue may be more about my tastes than the novel itself, but it was not a joy to read.  It is literary with a capital "L.”  Just in case you don’t get the deep meanings and symbolism, nearly every page has a literary or philosophical quote to reinforce the narrative.  You'll find everyone from Shakespeare to Nietzsche here.  The premise is fascinating -- if you could go back in time and repeat your personal history over and over, would you be able to "get it right?"  The problem, in my mind, is the execution.  Among other things, this is a very, very "British" tale.  What does that mean?  It's dry, emotionally muted and Dickensian in description.  It doesn't race, it meanders.  Every random thought is explored, every character’s full history delved into, regardless of the role they play in the tale.  Despite the tremendous stakes (the book begins with an intriguing page in which our heroine, Ursula, points a gun at a young Hitler) little seems to actually happen.  After the brief intro we have some 500 pages with Ursula living and re-living her young life focusing on her quaint country home with foxes, rabbits, tea, roast beef and a great number of puddings.  She dies a few times, is reborn a few times, there are more tales of foxes and rabbits and tea and then she finally starts growing up.  Eventually, there is a good deal of sex ... rape, extramarital affairs, unwanted pregnancies, all related as bloodlessly as everything else, given no more weight or tone than the digging through of rubble and bodies after the London Blitz.  Ursula doesn't feel great passion other than having overwhelming déjà vu, she has little motivation until the end and when the whole thing wraps up it is more with a fizzle than a bang.  I would have put the book down ... I tried, but kept hoping that all the "threads" would come together with some sort of great meaning.  I was left scratching my head, instead, wondering why so many inconsequential plotlines were included -- many of which for no seeming purpose whatsoever.  I thought back to the people who had loved this book so much.  A few things are likely:  a) they are most likely faster readers than me, b) they may enjoy books that meander, rather than careen c) they probably have not read nearly as much Science Fiction as I have.  That last point is important, because it means I have something to compare it to.  Time travel is heavily used in the genre.  Issues of ethics and our role in the greater picture are constantly explored.  In other words, I've seen it done better.  This ain't "Code Name Verity" and for me, anyway, it was a dud.  Patient readers, enjoy.  I'm off to find something a tad more lively.