When Will There Be Good News?: A Novel
by Kate Atkinson
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Book Reviews of When Will There Be Good News?: A Novel
Book Review: A Brilliant Ride
Summary: 5 Stars
Kate Atkinson has done it again with When Will There Be Good News?, and it's better than ever. Atkinson's latest novel involving soldier-turned cop-turned private detective-turned private citizen-who never fails to find himself in the middle of a debacle- Jackson Brodie is being released next week and it is a smashing good read. Atkinson is a master at assembling a cast of many who are seemingly disconnected and bringing them all together in a climactic and explosive ending.
Besides Brodie, in this story we meet Dr. Hunter, a woman who lived through the greatest horror one could at only six years old, and her family - 'the baby' and her rather clueless husband. Detective Louise Monroe, an unhappily married newlywed, who has a history with Jackson. The Needler family, in which ex-husband David is stalking his ex-wife and children. A murderer, who has recently been released from jail. And last but not least, certainly not least, Miss Reggie Chase, nanny to Dr Hunter's baby, a 16 year old that looks 12, she is bookishly brilliant, but streetwise as well. She has formed a bond with Dr. Hunter and her son that will save them all. Reggie Chase is the best drawn character I've met in literature in ages. She is brave, strong, persistent, clever, and wise and she steals the show here.
How to define When Will There Be Good News? There is murder and there is mystery, but it is not a murder mystery. It is humorous in a very, very black way, yet it is very much a drama. I will not even attempt to outline the plot here - it's quite complicated, and frankly I think you're better off just diving in to this splendidly satisfying book. I couldn't recommend it more highly, yet do advise that it is not for the faint of heart.
Book Review: Another delightful novel from Kate Atkinson
Summary: 5 Stars
Shana's Review:
When Will There Be Good News? is nothing short of a delightful read. Atkinson gives us a sumptuous combination of wonderful well-developed characters, an engaging plot line, and the prose that I am quickly coming to expect of her - clean, subtle, and smart.
The novel is narrated alternately and in the third person by Jackson Brodie, Reggie Chase, and Louise Monroe. I quickly fell in love with all three. Incidentally, I have not read Atkinson's previous two novels featuring Jackson Brodie and did not feel this hindered my enjoyment of the story in any way.
Atkinson's skill as a writer shows in the adept way in which she ties disparate characters and story lines together. In the beginning, I couldn't fathom how this would happen, but when it did, I was amazed at how right it felt.
I would categorize When Will There Be Good News? as literary suspense. There were several questions that were not answered until the end. What is most amazing about Atkinson is that she gives us an intricately woven story but it doesn't feel complicated. Everything seems very ordinary, yet lovely, and brilliant, and even comic. I love that Atkinson's books are sprinkled with words that are unique to 'British English,' but not overly so.
Very rarely do I read a book that makes me want to buy up all an author's previous novels and devour them as soon as possible, but Kate Atkinson is quickly becoming this author to me. First, I was wowed by Behind the Scenes at the Museum, and now When Will There Be Good News? has completely captivated me and taken my adoration of this author up yet another notch.
Book Review: A fun mystery with depth
Summary: 4 Stars
I probably never would have started this novel had I remembered how much I hated Atkinson's "One Good Turn." Fortunately, I didn't remember that, and I did read "When Will There Be Good News." I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. It takes place in England, and each chapter is told from the point of view of a different character, always remaining a third person narrative. The first chapter is amazing - beautifully written and intense, this prologue-like chapter grabbed me from the start. After that, the next 100 pages or so bounced from one character to another, and from the past to the present. The connection between characters was often unclear. The writing was good, and each piece was interesting, but I found myself rereading parts and working much too hard to make the connections between people, and their past and present. Pretty much every character was connected to people who had died tragically. About a third of the way through the novel, the main characters did begin to come together, and the story picked up its pace, becoming a riveting book at times. The coincidences in this novel force the reader to suspend belief. The author works so hard to create believable characters, and succeeds in this book, but the story is so far-fetched. By the time that became apparent, I was having so much fun reading this that I didn't care. The three principal characters are female, which is good, as Atkinson continues to portray women much better than she does men. If you like good writing and exciting mystery, I recommend this novel. One other thing - while some of the characters in this are also in other of Atkinson's novels, this novel stands on its own completely.Book Review: Review
Summary: 4 Stars
When Joanna Mason was six years old she witnesses an act so horrendous that no little girl should ever have to see. Joanna was the sole survivor of her family. Her mother, sister and brother were all murdered. Now thirty years later, the man who took Joanna's family from her has been released from prison.
Reggie is the nanny for Dr. Hunter. Reggie and Dr. Hunter have a really good relationship, so when one day Dr. Hunter disappears, Reggie worries but it seems that Reggie is the only one that is concerned about Dr. Hunter.
Then there is Detective Chief Inspector Louise Monroe, she is on a mission to locate a missing person. Louise Monroe did not expect to see Jackson Brodie, a longtime friend. It seems Jackson Brodie has a mission of his own to accomplish. Before he can complete it, Brodie has a fatal accident.
There was a good connection with the characters, which helped me to stay interested in this book till the end. When Will There Be Good News? is the third book in this series to feature Jackson Brodie. I have to admit that When Will There Be Good News? is the first book Jackson Brodie book I have read. I thought it was a well-written novel. This story can also be read as a stand alone book. Kate Atkinson added some nice twists in the story line at just the right times. This story had a lot of depth in it. The lesson learned was that you may have made many mistakes in your life but when you are handed a second chance in live it is about how you make the most of it that really counts. For anyone who is looking for a change of pace in their everyday typical reading should give Kate Atkinson a try.
Book Review: It's not about being plausible....
Summary: 5 Stars
Most of the time we judge a murder mystery by how plausible it is. A plot that turns on coincidence signals a weak plot and a lazy author.
Kate Atkinson seems to be defying this convention quite deliberately. I get the sense she's figuring out how to get the greatest number of connections and coincidences into each novel. She creates a game for her readers: how to put together the pieces. A detour into a minor character's life will link to an episode that's central to the action later.
But the novel is more than a clever scheme. It's a crossover between literary fiction and English murder mystery. Atkinson's characters get under your skin. Each one has a story. And often the character's current actions can't be understood till you learn his or her story.
It's the kind of book where I found myself reading ahead really fast, then going back and re-reading. What's the connection here? Why did this happen?
Some reviewers see a theme of people who experienced tragedies in their earlier lives. Ironically, Atkinson also seems to suggest the wisdom of taking the law into your own hands. Those who follow the rules and wait for official help don't seem to fare as well.
I would also advise prospective readers to avoid reviews that describe the plot in any detail. Part of my enjoyment came from watching connections unfold slowly, like a flower opening up petal by petal and layer by layer.
And whatever you do, don't peek at the ending. Keep reading. It's worth it.