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Life After Life

By: Kate Atkinson
Narrated by: Fenella Woolgar
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Summary

What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right?

During a snowstorm in England in 1910, a baby is born and dies before she can take her first breath. During a snowstorm in England in 1910, the same baby is born and lives to tell the tale.

What if there were second chances? And third chances? In fact an infinite number of chances to live your life? Would you eventually be able to save the world from its own inevitable destiny? And would you even want to?

Life After Life follows Ursula Todd as she lives through the turbulent events of the last century again and again. With wit and compassion, she finds warmth even in life’s bleakest moments, and shows an extraordinary ability to evoke the past. Here is Kate Atkinson at her most profound and inventive, in a novel that celebrates the best and worst of ourselves.

©2013 Kate Atkinson (P)2013 Random House Audiobooks
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Editor reviews

Life After Life is the latest release audiobook by master of contemporary fiction, Kate Atkinson and narrated by English actress Fenella Woolgar. The story follows that of Ursula who is given infinite chances at life. Most would believe that the value of life would be lost should the chances to live it were endless but it is with this profound gift that Ursula sees how desperate the need is to protect Earth from human destruction. This is a story that is so cleverly constructed in its plot and deep in its meaning you will be enchanted from the opening words. Available now from Audible.

What listeners say about Life After Life

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Terrific and intensely thought-provoking tale

A fascinating and complex consideration of "what ifs" through the early 20th century. Superb narration

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Absolutely brilliant!

So impressed with this author and how she intertwines the lives of Ursula, how she captures the reader, the descriptions, the dialogues. I can't recommend it enough, so enjoyable and wonderfully narrated.

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Long but not boring!

I really enjoyed it and was completely enthralled. The only thing that spoiled it was the fact it kind of just petered out with no satisfactory ending. Will get the next one hoping that might have a better ending.

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Hard work in Audible format

I have read many of Kate Atkinson's novels and generally enjoyed them. I found this one hard work. The multiple and overlapping threads were confusing when one was listening and perhaps having had a break since last listening. It may be easier in printed format. Elegantly written but depressing and, although I persevered, I was relieved to get to the end.

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an unusual story that keeps you spellbound

not my usual read but it was recommended. i struggled with it in written form so decided on audio format. very glad i kept listening it was a lovely tale of life

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Great listen

Fenella Woolgar is a very talented narrator!!
All round great listen of an inventive plot

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One of the best books ever

What made the experience of listening to Life After Life the most enjoyable?

I LOVED this book. Fantastic idea exquisitely written and brilliantly narrated. So interesting ......

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What if? Again and again and again

Just loved the concept, I love alternate history kind of books, this showed how every little decision in this life changed the course for this family, and Ursula's constant battle with knowing what is coming and what she needs to do to avert disaster. There are some timelines that you are glad are ending, and some you don't want to end. I felt like I lived in this world for the book, and still have so many questions about parts where the path wasn't taken. I will return to this one day, just fabulous.

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Totally wonderful

What a totally wonderful book. The narrator was superb, each voice so different and I was transfixed from beginning to end . Am so sad now it is over.

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Stick with it - you won'tbe disappointed.

What did you like most about Life After Life?

Just the whole story - weird on so many levels, but compelling. It left me rather breathless.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Life After Life?

The story of firewatching in London. It reminded me of my mother's stories of firewatching in Liverpool. And I want to know more.

What does Fenella Woolgar bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

I'm not sure about the narration. Often words were swallowed which was annoying.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, there was too much to take all at once

Any additional comments?

I will be looking at more of Kaye Atkinson's books.

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