Might be better than "Life After Life". Teddy is one of the great characters of the 20th century. A true version of Yossarian (Catch22- loved it too). Loved reading about him, was properly annoyed with Viola and couldn't wait to get back to Teddy's story. I'm good with ending; The author as creator is her right. "Transcription" is the 1st I read by Atkinson and was great too.

I liked this book. It made me reflect on the meaning of life and death. Also, it had the funniest, truest description I have seen of the way old people and their adult children interact. It is a sequel to Life After Life, but you don't have to read that book to understand this one.

A companion novel to Atkinson's 'Life After Life,' this volume focuses on Ursula's younger brother Teddy, who flew bombers over Germany during WWII. Told via a non-linear narrative, we learn about the many details of his life before, during and after the conflict -- a life surprisingly remarkable in its unremarkable-ness. Like some other readers, I initially felt betrayed by the ending, but following some reflection the 180° lurch has made the tale more meaningful. Recommended.

A "companion" to "Life After Life", telling the story of Ursula's younger brother, Teddy, who becomes a fighter pilot in WW II. Indeed, the parts of the book about his missions are the best part of the book. The story moves backwards and forwards in time, and is often funny, especially the parts with Teddy's awful daughter, Viola. This is a good read about an ordinary man which seems to meld popular and literary fiction.

An engrossing continuation of Life After Life. Alternating between present and past the old and new generation both fascinate but for different reasons. The book raises the eternal question of the meaning of life. It left sadness behind.

A good book, redundant as far as philosophical questions are concerned: God, war, etc., in that no one who wrestles with issues in the book wrestle with where the conscience came from, what does it mean to violate it, not to mention if and/or when they have a soul themselves that'll live on after the body is gone; appreciated Teddy as a character, perspective on the war which informed his actions after the war I thought.

This book takes up one of the story threads that Atkinson explored in her earlier book 'Life after Life', but you don't need to have read 'Life after Life' to enjoy this. She tells this story fairly straight although I wasn't keen on the ending. To see my more detailed review, see https://residentjudge.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/a-god-in-ruins-by-kate-atkinson/

I read Life After Life and really enjoyed it. I think this one is really just as good. I cannot recommend it highly enough. Read both books and you'll have a great time. By the way, I think you should read Life After Life first and then this one.

Apparently I need to give this read a second look...the audio version read by Alex Jennings is very good. However, I wasn't that enthralled, but appreciate the manner KA can put herself in other characters so well. I felt so sorry for Sonny & wanted to scream at his problem makers. I've known women like Viotet, her nasty gran & the 'servant' couple - what a perfect pitch on the Norfolk accent of another generation. Still prefer Jackson Brody character.

Kate Atkinson is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. Her writing demands the reader's attention, as the story is not told in sequential order which does not allow for traditional character development, but she has a unique ability to communicate broad themes (the meaning of life and the tragedy of war) in an intelligent and thought-provoking way. I agree with other reviewers that while reading LIFE AFTER LIFE first is not an absolute necessity, it did enhance A GOD IN RUINS for me.