MADreads

When Will There Be Good News?

November 10th, 2008 Liz - Central Library

… is the title of the latest Kate Atkinson novel.  And you may be asking yourself the above question as the book progresses.

Why?  Mayhem, murder, kidnapping (maybe), train wreck, life threatening injuries: its all here in sort of a pile-on fashion.  So why didn’t I find it to be grim? Its the tone of the main characters.  They seem to just take it as it comes.  Roll with it.  Survive and thrive. Carry on.  Even when their lives get more difficult.  They’re both admirable and realistic.

Dr. Joanna Hunter is the lone survivor (at age eight) of a major act of violence that killed her siblings and mother.  She’s married now, with a baby of her own.  Her babysitter Reggie is a 16 year old smarty whose mother has recently died and who’s brother is a criminal.  She’s plucky (and loves Dickens) and has found a way to get support via Dr. Hunter (’Call me Jo’), the Pakistani family that runs the corner store, and her former English teacher that’s prepping her for college.  And neither Jo nor Reggie has told the other of their losses.  They keep that to themselves, as it isn’t what either of them wants to be ‘known for.’

Add to that mix the duo of Louise and Jackson, an Inspector and a Private Eye, who’ve appeared in two previous Atkinson novels, and you’ve got a great cast of characters.  When the dark forces listed above come after Jo and Reggie (separately), you feel quite sure Louise and Jackson will ultimately sort it all out.

Did I mention this book (and the others starring Louise and Jackson) are set in Scotland?  I loved the culture references that are so different from our own (Tesco and Topshop stores), Paddington station, the Paki corner store. Another winner from this outstanding author.

Entry Filed under: Literary Fiction, Mystery