A Book Truly Worth The Whitbread Prize
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I first read this book in 1996 after a lovely friend bought it for me, and I remember thinking what a good book it was. A couple of months ago this book was given to me as `this months book' at my local library reading group - by the bottom of page 1 I was absolutely hooked. I'd only remembered odd bits from over 10 years ago but after reading it a second time I think it will stick with me for a lifetime. It's very well written both in style and grammar and is packed full of all emotions possible. The storyline is written in a `double style', with Ruby (being the main character) being in present time and going back to her grand-parents in war-time. The two timelines meet up, in that the `older generation' are also included in Ruby's younger years. There's so much sadness, humour, regret and secrecy that there's something for everyone in this wonderful story.
I got so much more out of it second time round and would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, it really is a fabulous read.
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Highly recommended.
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Not many novels begin while the narrator is still in the womb, but "Behind the Scenes at the Museum" is that rare book. It tells the story of Ruby Lennox, right from the very moment of her conception, and the story, too, of her family: her disillusioned mother, Bunty; her two, very different, sisters; and, futher back, her grandparents and great-grandparents.
Atkinson perfectly balances the different narratives - we not only follow Ruby and her sisters through childhood and adolescence, but see Bunty's youthful ideals become tarnished, and empathise with Nell, Bunty's mother, and her family. The tragedies and comedies of the older stories are movingly and simply told; the portraits of women during the First World War, in particular, are well-researched and very revealing.
Throughout the novel, in fact, Atkinson acheives a superlative blend of tragedy and comedy; the poignant moments balanced against the light-heartedness of some of Ruby's stories. Anecdotes like the "World cup wedding" and the "holiday from hell", especially, are brilliantly and wittily told, and Ruby's extended family is populated by perfectly-crafted bizarre characters.
It is at the end of the book, however, where Atkinson's talent really shows. All the pieces of Ruby's life and identity finally slot together: we finally see what really happened to Nell's mother Alice; the end of everybody's stories; and, most, importantly, the central mystery of Ruby's life, revealed so cleverly that you wonder why you hadn't worked it out before. A modern classic.
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An amazing first novel
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I read this book about 10 years ago on a friend's recommendation and can remember thinking it was an amazing debut novel at the time. I decided to read it again recently, and had completely forgotten the story and so it was like reading it for the first time. I still think it's a great read and so well written that I still find it hard to believe it was Kate Atkinson's first novel. It's very funny and insightful. The story of Ruby Lennox's life, although sometimes tragic, is told in a very humourous way and it's the type of book that makes you want to carry on reading to the end to find out what happens to everyone as the characters are so well developed and really seem like real people. I would definitely recommend this novel and I think I'll be reading some more of Kate Atkinson's books.
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A lovely book
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I have read one Kate Atkinson novel previously and did not find it that grabbing, but this book was recomended to me by many close friends and I loved it!! The story it's self is not a very fast paced one, but the characters are so beautifuly brought to life, that you have to keep reading to find out what happens to them all (there are many characters).
Although the ending was not particularly heart breaking, I found my self having a little sob, as I felt like I'd been with the characters through their heart break, especially Ruby.
I recomend it highly
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Like a good old family gossip
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I love this book: the characters are so warm and alive and it's a wonderful evocation of the period (at least I feel like it is, based on my mum's tales of a 50s/60s Yorkshire childhood!). It's like sitting down with several generations of your family with everyone telling stories about their lives, dragging a few skeletons out of their closets along the way. The quirky style and wry humour just add to its charm.
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