- Attendees : Monika, Maren, Amanda, Tracey, Robin, Hélène, Mark, Cynthia
- All agreed Atkinson is a great writer, although some found the literary devices a bit difficult. Some thought there could have been more editing in Life after Life, others thought God in Ruins jumped around unnecessarily. We also debated whether she was in a rush to publish (which often happens) or whether she has enough credibility with her publishers to miss a deadline if necessary.
- We pretty much all agreed that the Hitler episodes in Life after Life were contrived and unnecessary.
- It was noted that both Sunny and Viola actually witnessed a parent dying, yet they both reacted very differently. Also it was ironic that Viola was well-treated as a child and grew up selfish as an adult, yet Sunny was poorly treated and turned out the opposite way. Perhaps the brutality and anti-male/anger-filled feminist movement (well portrayed in the book !) played a strong role in Viola’s subsequent self-absorption.
- The role of mothers was discussed and debated. Some of us with less-ideal relationships with our mothers questioned how one should forgive one’s mother for the mistakes she may have made…and even questioned if it is necessary to do so. Does Sunny ever forgive Viola or does he just move on? Did Bertie? Did she need to ? Others of us recognized the blessing it can be to have a wonderful mother and how it has shaped our lives.
- Everyone loved Izzy !! We thought she was a good example of people consciously re-inventing themselves, as well as being an early feminist. It was interesting that she never wanted to share the fact that she earned a war medal, which made us question why some people hush up about their experiences (Teddy as well), and others share everything.
- Perhaps the biggest discussion centered
around the ending of A God in Ruins. Many groans of disappointment and
pretty clear agreement that Teddy really did die in Life After Life.
The entire book A God in Ruins was a hypothesis
of what his life might have been like, based on his imagination. This
is supported by a scene when Ursula and (is it Nancy?) are walking in
London in 1947 and mention that Teddy would have loved to have seen
something with them. It is way beyond the date
when he would have been released. Or does Teddy have the ability to
live multiple lives?
- Relating to this point, some of us noted that Sylvie may also have had this ability. Example: her saying, “practice makes perfect” as the doctor cuts the umbilical cord during the second birth of Ursula. Also the fact that she is seen by Ursula, aged 13, leaving on the arm of a gentleman from a hotel, however, in the second book, she leaves the hotel alone.
Cynthia
