In 1910, Ursula Todd is born during a snowstorm in England, but two parallel scenarios occur - in one, she dies immediately. In the other, she lives to tell the tale. As the possibility of having a second chance at life opens up, the novel unfolds, following Ursula as she lives through the events of the twentieth century again and again.

What if you had the chance to live your life again and again, until you finally got it right?

During a snowstorm in England in 1910, a baby is born and dies before she can take her first breath.

During a snowstorm in England in 1910, the same baby is born and lives to tell the tale.

What if there were second chances? And third chances? In fact an infinite number of chances to live your life? Would you eventually be able to save the world from its own inevitable destiny? And would you even want to?

Life After Life follows Ursula Todd as she lives through the turbulent events of the last century again and again. With wit and compassion, she finds warmth even in life's bleakest moments, and shows an extraordinary ability to evoke the past. Here is Kate Atkinson at her most profound and inventive, in a novel that celebrates the best and worst of ourselves.

I really enjoyed this. I liked following Ursula through all her lives, watching the mistakes & challenges to rectify those mistakes. I would have liked a bit more of the final story where things work out. I imagine what a creepy feeling it would be when Ursula started to recognise some of the events in her life were more than just deja vu.

This one does leave a few mysteries. Is Ursula the only one who keeps reliving her life? The last "Snow" chapter suggests not. I see that there is a sequel due out this year - A God in Ruins - that appears to be Teddy's story. I look forward to it.

A wish sent to Billbooks for the April 2016 Southern Cross BE.

On my wishlist, sent to me as part of the SCBE. I have heard many good reviews about this book so looking forward to sitting down for a long read