Summary & Analysis of Kate Atkinson's a God in Ruins

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A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson Summary & Analysis Preview:

"A God in Ruins" by Kate Atkinson is a novel set primarily in England that is about the horrors of war, the joys and challenges of family, and the fear and sadness of terminal illness.

In 1925, young Teddy goes for a walk with his Aunt Izzie. He tries to share his love and knowledge of things in nature with her, but she does not seem interested. Teddy is upset by the fact that Izzie claims to have eaten a skylark. Izzie asks him questions about his likes and dislikes. She later uses his answers to write a series of books loosely based on him even though the main character is nothing like Teddy. Teddy hates the books and the fact that they are dedicated to him.

When World War II begins, Teddy signs up. He is relieved to be escaping work at the bank with his father...

PLEASE NOTE: This is a "summary and analysis" of the book and NOT the original book.
Inside this Instaread Summary & Analysis of A God in Ruins

- Summary of book
- Introduction to the Important People in the book
- Analysis of the Themes and Author's Style

Genres: Fiction, Book Club

34 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2015

About the author

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Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finish was strange, not inconsistent with Life After Life, the companion novel, but seemed out of character with the rest of the novel.

[Dr. Suemar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book except for the "trick" ending.

[Drennen Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have not read "Life after Life" some of the characters in this book would have had a lessor impact. I finished "Life after Life" in two sittings, this book was not as interesting to me and took much longer to finish. Some of the characters were extremely obnoxious, the lead character-Ted the war hero-was a saint to endure them. After an entire book without any time line changes it ended with a time line change, a very odd thing to do. And again, if one had not previously read the companion book one would have not known what was going on.

As an American who had previously read much about the American 8th Army Air Force and daylight bombing, learning about the British night bombers in novel form was absolutely fascinating, and the list of sources at the end of the book to learn more was much appreciated.

[Alistair Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fabulous tale. I love Atkinson's writing.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would suggest not reading this right after her other book about the same family, life after life, as I did. There’s a little too much repetition and this book deserves to stand on its own because it delves into different characters and themes.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it but found it quite difficult to follow, worth the effort though

[Erica Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect follow up book !!

[Alana Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. I loved the character of Teddy Todd.

[Carrie Egnosak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why did I spend all that time reading the book for that ending? Ugh!

[Ian Pindar · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved Ian McEwan's 'atonement' thy shall surely love, 'A God in Ruins'. I say, 'yeah, yeah', to both.

[Pete Sickman-garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I've ever read.

[Christine Betts · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Life After Life I guess I was expecting more life changing words but it was a bit grim.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best fiction I've read in a long time. It was a story that covers four generations, but the main character is Teddy -- his childhood, life as RAF pilot, husband, father, grandfather. He was a wonderful character. The book included two things I don't usually like: war stories and events out of chronological order. It was important in this book since the time at war was such a major part of Teddy's life. The order of events also worked and was not confusing. War was depicted as awful but often necessary. Teddy's marriage was good but not a love story. That was refreshing. His daughter was awful as a person and as a mother. Teddy stepped in as a caring grandfather to take up some of that slack. The vocabulary was extensive, and I had pages of quotes.

"Art is anything created by one person and enjoyed by another."

(about his daughter): "Viola led a sloppy kind of life. She had lurched from one disaster to the next.... He had trouble remembering a time when she didn't treat him as a nuisance....He loved Viola as only a parent can love a child, but it was hard work."

[Betty McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate has redeemed herself. " Life After Life" bothered me ; I couldn't finish it. But this one is excellent, like I expect from Kate Atkinson. I might try the other one again. It was the subject matter that felt a bit creepy.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

breathtaking. very cinematic in my mind

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this!

[Karen Schlosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long story told in short snippets jumping back and forth between generations revealing the human weaknesses of each individual in every family.