Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson – July 2011

We had a lively discussion about Kate Atkinson’s novel ‘Behind the Scenes at the Museum’.  This book is about several generations of the one family, seen from the point of view of the women.  It transcends a well-worn genre of female generational story-telling. Atkinson’s language and the structure of the novel had us transfixed.  Also she uses subtle symbolism to reflect the repeated patterns of the women’s lives through the generations. 

We were agreed except for one, the man in our company.  So we then agreed it was a women’s novel which spoke to women about female issues. 

Colin chose the next book and to redress the balance he has decided on a masculine theme, so we are going to read ‘The Soldier Returns’ by Melvyn Bragg. 

 We will meet 7.30ish on Tuesday 16^th August at The Drum and Monkey