Date Posted:16:19:07 07/21/07 Sat Author: Syl Subject: Behind the Scenes at the Museum
This was sent in by Em! Thanks, Em!
TITLE: Behind the Scenes At the Museum.
AUTHOR: Kate Atkinson
GENRE: Fiction.
Narrated by Ruby Lennox, this is a multi-layered account of her family’s history. She flits between tales of her great-grandmother, grandmother, aunties and uncles, siblings and parents with wonderful fluidity and humour.
As a child who was constantly being told “don’t try to be clever, Ruby”, she manages to weave a beautiful tapestry of human life – her family’s struggles, stories, loves and tragedies. And for a story which encompasses as many deaths as this one, her narrative is remarkably witty and amusing.
She mainly focuses on her sisters Patricia (dour and sensible) and Gillian (greedy and spiteful), and her parents George and Bunty, both of whom seem to struggle to love Ruby. As the youngest daughter, Ruby has some fascinating observations as a child watching life evolve around her.
Kate Atkinson has produced an incisive and involving story which can make you laugh and cry in the space of one sentence. It is jam-packed full of rich, amazing images, beautiful prose and deadpan humour. It’s a perfect summer read.
Traci_Mc, 13:50:02 07/23/07 Mon