A God in Ruins - Kate Atkinson

This book follows the life of Teddy Todd: a WWII bomber pilot who had many near-escapes during his service and emerged a hero; part-time aspiring poet; and, throughout his long life, a husband, father and grandfather. Teddy never expected that he would survive the war (he was considered a good luck charm by his comrades as he always managed to survive the closest brushes with death), and finds himself wondering how to face a future he didn’t think he would ever get to see.⠀

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The novel follows the inspiring life of Teddy, as well as the lives of his children and grandchildren, and explores the branches of the family and how their lives have each been affected by poignant events over the years - conflict, disease, death... - and how it has impacted their relationships. Trauma has created cracks within their bonds, some irreparable, and Atkinson illustrates this in great detail. The book is funny, heartwarming and familiar in parts, and yet utterly heartbreaking in others. ⠀

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Atkinson’s third-person narrative jumps between Teddy’s early life and his time in the war, with some extremely harrowing insights into his experiences as a pilot; as well as his later life when he resides in a care home and looks back at years gone by. This is such a gripping, moving and beautiful portrait of family, the power of memory and experience, and the beauty of life. At a hefty 550 pages, it is definitely worth persevering with the first couple of chapters (which are a little slow) before the book really blossoms. A brilliant book!⠀