Kate Atkinson returns to the Todd family
featured in ‘Life After Life’, but this time it is Ursula’s brother Teddy who
takes centre stage. Mercifully, however,
we get just one version of his life, albeit in time jumbled slices.
The centrepiece of Teddy’s life, and the
book, is his time in the RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War. That experience forged his personality in the
contradictions of combat - a good, kind, brave man who risked his life to kill
unnumbered, unknown, and largely blameless foreigners with his deadly ordinance. A time he looks back on with both pride and
guilt.
Around that is spun his relationships with
his wife, daughter and grandchildren. No
spoilers here, it is the unfolding of the stories with teasers and revelations
that provide most of the appeal. But
suffice to say there is love, loss, misunderstandings, tragedy, estrangement,
re-connection, closeness and peace at last.
It is no surprise that it is well-written,
meticulously researched and a pleasure to read.
Atkinson excels in family relationships, ensuring they are seen from
multiple angles, and in her hands the Todd family are well worth getting to
know.
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