That is the question posed in Kate Atkinson's Life After Life & our protagonist, Ursula Todd, does so in this ingenious narrative where the author time & again kills the protagonist & brings her back to the beginning, but each time the narrative takes a different path (as Ursula retains a somewhat subconscious memory of past mistakes), demonstrating how the smallest of decisions affect our lives.
At times, it is like experiencing the different drafts of a novel or the creative process of the author. I imagine this is what writers do - create characters, hit a brick wall, then go back to the beginning & start again.
But this is quality, vivid writing. Though we backtrack to the beginning numerous times, the repetition is not dull. Instead it almost brings about a interactive aspect for the reader, in trying to spot the differences & figure the impact of the change. At times, you'll find yourself willing Ursula to steer clear of previous bad choices.
It is a series of "What ifs" & set against the backdrop of 20th century history, it forces the reader to consider "what if" certain things had happened, the biggest question of which is "what if Hitler had been assassinated before he had come into power in Germany?" The impact of this would have been tremendous, as if the holocaust had not happened, Europe, America & indeed the Middle East would be vastly different today.
Does it sound heavy? Or philosophical? Only to the extent that we allow it too. It is a beautiful exploration of the human spirit against adversity & it's capacity to endure, wrapped up in a Matryoshka doll.
Does it sound heavy? Or philosophical? Only to the extent that we allow it too. It is a beautiful exploration of the human spirit against adversity & it's capacity to endure, wrapped up in a Matryoshka doll.
It is an engrossing tale. And the premise is wonderful - having many takes in life, until you get it right & someone shouts "Cut! It's a wrap."
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