By far and away one of the best books I have ever read!! It's important to pay attention though, because the story spans four generations, and five if you count ruby's kids, and it's easy to get mixed up. But be on the lookout for a touching twist. Atkinson weaves in clues throughout the book, one to read again and again!

posted Dec 18, 2008 at 8:06PM

Ruby Lennox begins narrating her life at the moment of conception, and from there takes us on a whirlwind tour of the twentieth century as seen through the eyes of an English girl determined to learn about her family and its secrets. Ruby investigates the lives of the men and women in her family starting with her great grandmother in pre-WWI England and ending with her and her sisters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book--dispite the dysfunction in her family (and there is plenty)--Ruby survives and thrives. The book does bounce back in forth in time--but I thought this was done in an effective manner(through "footnote chapters"). I would strongly recommend this book--4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

posted Oct 13, 2012 at 7:24PM

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