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A God in Ruins cover art

A God in Ruins

By: Kate Atkinson
Narrated by: Alex Jennings
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Editor reviews

A mesmerizing and deeply moving companion book to the 2014 number one best-selling Life After Life, Kate Atkinson brings an enchanting tale with her latest release A God in Ruins, narrated by the captivating Alex Jennings. This extraordinary literary fiction audiobook, full and unabridged, will have you entirely immersed in the beautifully constructed story. Teddy has the chance to re-live his life over and over again. What he chooses to do with this gift is simply incredible. This book will move you, stun you and ultimately change you. Available now from Audible.

Summary

Kate Atkinson’s dazzling Life After Life, one of the top-selling adult books of 2014, explored the possibility of infinite chances, as Ursula Todd lived through the turbulent events of the last century again and again.

In A God in Ruins, Atkinson turns her focus on Ursula’s beloved younger brother, Teddy - would-be poet, RAF bomber pilot, husband, and father - as he navigates the perils and progress of the 20th century. For all Teddy endures in battle, his greatest challenge will be to face living in a future he never expected to have.

A God in Ruins is a masterful companion to Life After Life and will prove once again that Kate Atkinson is one of the finest novelists of our age.

©2015 Random House (P)2015 Random House

What listeners say about A God in Ruins

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Even Better than Life After Life

Kate Atkinson just gets better and better!

I've enjoyed all her books but in 'Life After Life' and 'A God in Ruins' she has reached a different level. Teddy's extraordinary wartime experiences in Bomber Command contrast so effectively with the everyday detail of his relationships with his wife, his awful daughter Viola, his grandchildren, his mother and also, of course, Ursula.

I was blown away by the ending and now, weeks after listening to it read so well by Alex Jennings, it is still in my mind. I don't often read or listen to books more than once but this book will be an exception! Do read 'Life after Life' first though.

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Just wonderful

Kate Atkinson, once again flexing her rather extraordinary literary muscle resulting in one of the best books I’ve read. My summary can’t do it justice - just to say that I would recommend this to everybody.

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Absolutely Fantastic

I don't think I can do a review justice, it's a truly beautiful book, fabulous narrator, touching stories (I recognised people I know in it, and also myself) and all the while it was like cool water, brittle but flowing, stark, yet bursting with detail and passion. What a talented writer Kate Atkinson is.

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just amazing

I thought I would buy this as I had enjoyed the 'first' book so much. It turned out to be just as sweet, sad and so very engaging. Excellent. And the very, very best narration. Top class.

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Highly Recommend

If you could sum up A God in Ruins in three words, what would they be?

I loved it!

What did you like best about this story?

The story drew me in more and more as it progressed, and it never became predictable. I thought it was completely original, thought provoking, funny and very clever.

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

I loved his voice, just the right pace and just as I imagine Teddy would have sounded.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were lots, but I was moved by the unravelling of the whole plot at the end, completely unexpected!

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Loved it

After reading “Life after Life’” I had to read it. As with the first she didn’t disappoint, such an interesting concept to be able to go back and change an outcome.
The narrator was was another reason it was so enjoyable.

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Entrancing and such truly beautiful story

Having read the first book Life after Life and been blown away by such a beautiful story which has been written in the most elegant way I felt I needed to get A God in Ruins. I have been transfixed, transported and just totally immersed in the story, the narrator and the writing. I have been so moved by the beauty of it all. I know the book needed to end but am genuinely lost what I do now .

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Incredible novel

I can’t recommend this highly enough. It’s moving, funny, horrifying, beautiful, sad - everything you’d expect from Kate Atkinson. And the narration is fantastic with each character clearly drawn.

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A book to make you think

This book is layered it is a story that you can listen to over and over .
Beautifully narrated and soothing . The subject matter shows the human condition with all its imperfections.
The story is moving and conveys the joys and sorrows of life .
I feel blessed to have discovered this story .



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A Worthy Sequel

After 'Life After Life' - one of my all time favourite audio-books it was a must to purchase. I was not disappointed. Relationships are more explored and involved and this was enjoyable, though there are inevitable unhappinesses for the characters. Alex Jennings is an excellent voice performer here and will not disappoint.

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