This is the story of the Lennox family, covering four generations of mothers, their trials and tribulations, their successes and failures. Ruby is the youngest of George and Bunty's daughters, living above their family Pet Shop in York, England. Our narrator is Ruby Lennox, who begins her story by describing her conception in 1951 and ends her tale with her mother's death in 1992. We had read Case Histories previously, but BTSATM does not share the crime fiction aspects of that novel. This month our group discussed Kate Atkinson's first and award winning novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum (herein referred to as BTSATM). If you have not yet discovered this author, she is one that I would recommend.It is the third week of the month again, and that means it is time for another Berwyn Library Book Discussion report. Her writing is detailed, descriptive and evocative. There are also sad and poignant moments that Kate Atkinson handles with skill.
Whilst it’s not a ‘laugh out loud’ funny book, some of the black humour and ironic expressions and descriptions definitely had me smiling quietly to myself. The characters are flawed people, yet somehow still likeable and I think this is where Kate Atkinson’s writing shines. We gain an insight into how the actions of people in the past still influence the behaviour and actions of people in the present. Ruby alludes to future events, dropping clues that lead the reader on in order to piece together certain elements of the plot.Īs the narrative winds its way through history and the present, the reader gains an understanding of the relationships between the different family members across the generations, as well as the complexities and motivations in the characters’ lives. Some chapters are ‘Footnotes’ scattered throughout the book and are used to explain different periods or episodes from the family’s history, reaching back through past generations to backfill elements of the story. Ruby describes her family life, both past and present, with wry humour and perceptive wit. The voice of the narrator, Ruby, begins from the moment she is conceived in 1951 and we journey with her through to the early 1990s. Tells the story of a family across several generations, but it is the way in which it is told that I found so appealing and is what makes it different from other family saga narratives. I like the way she builds descriptions of her characters and provides insights into their thoughts and motives. Kate Atkinson’s writing is a relatively new discovery for me and I have been gradually reading my way through her books. In today’s piece, Libby Renton, a Year 6 teacher, Upper Primary Coordinator and Integrated Studies Coordinator at Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Melbourne has penned a review of British novelist, Kate Atkinson’s Behind the Scenes at the Museum.
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