46 pages • 1 hour read
Kate AtkinsonA God in Ruins
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
A God in Ruins, a historical fiction novel by Kate Atkinson, revolves around Teddy Todd, a Royal Air Force bomber pilot during World War II, who grapples with his haunting war memories throughout his life. The non-linear narrative explores his relationships with his family, including his wife Nancy, daughter Viola, and grandchildren Bertie and Sunny, showcasing the transformative impact of war on individuals and their loved ones between 1925 and 2012. This book addresses themes of war, terminal illness, and familial conflict.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
In A God in Ruins, Kate Atkinson earns praise for her profound narrative, emotionally rich characters, and seamless blending of historical and contemporary timelines. Critics admire the novel's exploration of war's long-term impact. However, some find the structure disorienting and the pacing uneven. Overall, the work is celebrated for its literary depth and character development.
Who Should Read A God in Ruins?
Readers who appreciate deep character studies, historical contexts, and layered narratives will enjoy Kate Atkinson's A God in Ruins. Similar to Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See and Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried, it blends the personal with the epic, delving into the complexities of wartime experiences and their lasting impacts.