As I was reading this I experienced a kind of Atkinson fusion of past books, crime and historical fiction but I think the Guardian summed it up perfectly by calling the novel, ‘a witty ensemble tale’.
Habitual readers of Ms. Atkinson will easily identify themes and styles that reoccur from previous stories. It’s a between the wars tale of a seedy Soho nightlife. The writer cites in her Author’s Notes that Kate Meyrick and her daughters were the inspiration for the story of the indomitable Nellie Coker freshly released from prison at the book’s start. A perfect foil to her character is the policeman, Frobisher. Seemingly trapped in a static marriage he devotes his energies to trying to bring down the Coker empire. Nellie and her children run a series of nightclubs facing opposition and desires of takeovers. Another twist in the tale is Gwendoline Telling’s search for two missing girls. Not a native Londoner Gwendoline is feisty and fearless. Concerned by a friend’s news that her young sister is missing in London. Gwendoline decides to travel to London to find Freda and her friend. The two girls have their story to tell too. With all the skill of the consummate story teller that Kate Atkinson is these characters’ paths cross and weave as the novel unfolds. Although the action and the themes that develop in the book are not always pleasant there is something more light hearted in the execution than say ‘Life After Life’, it’s less serious. The times and locations are palpably depicted, convincing and evocative. It’s an entertaining read and if I have any criticism at all, it’s that the ending seemed to come very suddenly and left me a little wanting.
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