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Title details for Normal Rules Don't Apply by Kate Atkinson - Available

Normal Rules Don't Apply

Stories

by Kate Atkinson
Paterson Joseph
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
A dazzling collection of eleven interconnected stories from the bestselling, award-winning author of Shrines of Gaiety and Life After Life, with everything that readers love about her novels—the inventiveness, the verbal felicity, the sharp observations on human nature, and the deeply satisfying emotional wallop.
Nothing is quite as it seems in this collection of eleven dazzling stories. We meet a queen who makes a bargain she cannot keep; a secretary who watches over the life she has just left; a man who bets on a horse that may—or may not—have spoken to him. Everything that readers love about the novels of Kate Atkinson is here—the inventiveness, the verbal felicity, the sharp observations on human nature, and the deeply satisfying emotional wallop. 
A startling and funny feast for the imagination, these stories conjure a multiverse of subtly connected worlds while illuminating the webs of chance and connection among us all.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    September 12, 2023

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9780593749050
      • File size: 162112 KB
      • Duration: 05:37:43

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      August 7, 2023
      This stunning collection from Atkinson (Shrines of Gaiety) is a master class in literary worldbuilding. These 11 interconnected stories happen in a world one step removed from this one, where human existence is regulated by the Void, a daily, five-minute apocalyptic event causing mass death. Here, characters proper to fairy tales, myths, and scripture rub shoulders with inhabitants of northern England in scenes from otherwise prosaic lives: recurring character Franklin, for example, who, over the course of the collection, meets a talking horse and a chatty dog, and finally drives off with Aoife, the bewitched child of a queen. In “Gene-Sis,” humankind is subject to the decisions of Kitty, an advertising executive and Sister of God, who must remake the world from scratch while simultaneously writing a campaign for a new, healthy smoothie. “Blithe Spirit” follows Mandy, a downtrodden secretary to a disreputable politician, who observes the investigation into her own murder from the ghostly beyond. Atkinson delights in metafictional possibilities: young Franklin’s idea for a novel—“A text based on non-linear dynamics, a Borgesian exploration of parallel worlds”—though ridiculed by other characters, mimics the collection’s structure. If the concept sounds promisingly fun, the whimsical but sharp prose is built to match, full of speculative glee, but tinged with poignancy. Agent: Kim Witherspoon, InkWell Management. (Sept).

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Paterson Joseph's remarkable performance of Kate Atkinson's newest book transmutes the whimsical, witty, and absurdist stories from adroit to splendid. The acclaimed British actor's light, engaging baritone and exquisite delivery offer pleasure and comfort in equal measure as he guides us through narratives that truly do not follow normal rules. They include talking animals, the end of the world, an attentive ghost, an unlucky fairy-tale princess, conversations between toys, and--an Atkinson leitmotif--characters who reappear in different guises. Some tales resemble episodes more than actual stories. Abrupt, enigmatic endings are the norm. Joseph's warm embrace of a voice and sensitive pacing highlight the clever writing while ushering us safely through the dangerous shoals of Atkinson's rule-free world. A.C.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      Starred review from June 10, 2024

      Atkinson (Shrines of Gaiety) offers a collection of short stories that will have listeners pondering life's profound questions. Each of the 11 tales centers on a phenomenon called the Void, a mass-death event that recurs for five minutes each day. Though the premise may sound heavy, each story--from a young girl's sentient toys dealing with upheaval after a tragedy, to a family that inadvisably ignores a fairy-tale warning--brings unexpected pleasure. Atkinson blends mystery, fantasy, drama, and speculative fiction to deliver a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking collection of witty and quirky tales. Narrator Paterson Joseph is a standout performer. With impeccable pacing, sensitive characterizations, and a truly beautiful voice, he brings his A game to each delightful tale. His ability to seamlessly transition from comedic moments to chilling ones enhances each situation and provides a thoroughly engaging listening experience. VERDICT Atkinson's many fans will love this collection, and newcomers will be enchanted as well. Showcasing Atkinson's ingenuity and Joseph's nuanced narration, this audio is an essential purchase for all libraries.--Christa Van Herreweghe

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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