Kate Atkinson first came to our notice as the winner of the Whitbread Book of the Year Award in 1995. Since then, she has consistently turned out work of the highest calibre.
This latest book ‘When Will There Be Good News?’ is every bit as entertaining and thought provoking as her earlier novels. She combines the natural talent of a great story-teller with quirky humour, which bubbles up in the most unlikely circumstances, causing the reader to smother an unseemly giggle.
The plot is complex and fast moving, the characters incur our sympathy or our wrath – you always recognise the baddies with Kate Atkinson.
The beginning sees an idyllic rural scene – a mother, her three children and the family dog enjoying a walk in the warmth of a late summers day – but soon there is a tragic turn of events.
The action then moves forward a generation as we catch up with the life of one of the children. Jackson Brodie – known to readers who enjoyed ‘Case Histories’ and ‘One Good Turn’ – makes an appearance and is drawn into the fray against his natural inclination. We witness a catalogue of disasters for all the main characters, but their coming together to work through them is heart-warming without being sentimental.
Richard and Judy have selected this book as one of their current recommended reads and it is receiving terrific reviews wherever it is discussed. It would make a very good ‘Book Group’ choice, but is just as enjoyable for those reading independently.
All in all, a literary novel with warmth and humour – highly recommended.
As our Recommended Read of the Month, you will receive £1.00 off this title – and the others in the series throughout the month of May!
