Human Croquet: A Novel

This author is extremely talented--her Jackson Brodie novels are gripping and her other works are noteworthy. This was not my favorite of her work but it is still better than many American hacks of this era. The seller delivered as promised: a readable, timely and sturdily-constructed book.

I wouldn't recommend this book. Although I like the author's language and writing in general, this book did not live up to its promise. The story plods along and then skips suddenly somewhere else, and somewhere else again. I liked Emotionally Weird very much, though, and look forward to her other books.

Although I normally enjoy Kate Atkinson's books, I didn't like this one. It goes back and forth between dreams and reality and it is hard to tell which is which. I didn't even finish reading the book, although, I must admit, I did read the last chapter.

Human Croquet is a great book. The novel is quite twisted but thoroughly enjoyable and reminds me of the author’s brilliant later novel, Life after Life. The book was enjoyable but nothing really great for the first one hundred pages then something magical happened. The time shifts in the narrative started to get more frequent and things got a little crazy. At this point, Human Croquet became something really special. I started to fall in love and fell all the way. I love the way Atkinson use time shifts. They’re written really well and I didn’t find the structure confusing as I have with other novels. The characters are flesh and blood brilliant. I loved Eliza even though there was something dark and twisted about her. I found her story and the truth about what happened to her in the woods incredibly sad. I’d highly recommend this novel.

Atkinson's plot plays with perceptions of time and reality, which as I write this sounds too academically literate for what is an engaging tale with endearingly human and recognizable characters. It took me a while to get into, but once I did, I loved it. Atkinson's characters are always a little quirky and sad, but also very funny in their own way. The parents of Isobel disappear within a day of each other, leaving young Isobel and her brother trying to make sense of human disappearances in a family where no one tells them what really happened. The book unfolds with clearly marked flashbacks and events that foreshadow the author's later Life After Life. It's a fine read.

If reading books that have "a beginning, middle and end"...linear writings as it were, is your joy then Ms Atkinson's books will frustrate so don't read this unless you're willing to enjoy the extraordinary brilliance of this writer's mind, the way she weaves her story from the present, to the past, from the real to the unreal, throwing fantasy into the mix and always, without fail, leaving the reader closing the book upon a hugely satisfying ending. What an extraordinary writer.

I read Kate Atkinson's first book somewhat reluctantly - "Behind The Scenes At The Museum" - and then read it all through in delight and fascination. If anything, Human Croquet is even better. A tighter narrative, a closer grasp upon the characters in her book, and an incredible wit and talent for characterisation have combined to greatly improve upon Atkinson's style. Behind the Scenes was an awesome debut. Human Croquet is a marvellous book. I fell instantly in love with the characters, even the ones you aren't really sure you're supposed to like, but do anyway (Aunt Vinny is an absolute black delight.). It explores realities and dreamlands, plays around with our expectations and thoughts, and eventually everything falls into place. You MUST re-read this book at least three times. It's the only way you will ever realise just what a superlative work of art it is - complex, deep, and very, very clever....
I have just discovered that Kate Atkinson's next book is out in June! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!
Anyway... there is so much I could say about this book - it is a devastatingly devious whodunnit, that you don't even realise is a whodunnit until you realise it IS one; it is a extremely funny, barbed and ironic book; it is a character driven piece as well as a plot-driven piece. It is one of my top 10 books of all time. The only other book I can think of that comes even close to Kate Atkinson's style in this book is Jostein Gaarder's "The Solitaire Mystery"

Kate Atkinson has a quite unusual and creative style of writing. If you like very linear,unambiguous fiction, she is definitely not for you but if you are up for a challenging and extraordinary read, check this, her second novel, out. It's hard to describe "Human Croquet" without sounding unbearably pretentious or giving away too much of the plot. Simply put,"Human Croquet" is the story of Isobel Fairfax, a teenager growing up in northern England in the early 1960s -- but the book goes far beyond the traditional coming-of-age story, with its time-bending, imaginative plot. History is intermingled with the present, dreams with reality, and alternate realities are at war with what's actually happening in Isobel's life. The characters are vivid and real, the writing is funny and witty and fresh, and Isobel's story and voice grip you from the beginning. Thoroughly enjoyable, and well worth the trip.

Since this book is labeled as mainstream, it was quite a surprise to realize that Kate Atkinson plays with reality and time much the same way as the sci-fi legend Philip K. Dick. This can be most clearly seen in the later half of the book, which consists solely of several dreamlike episodes... and in the end the reader can't be certain, what really happened.
But. Then, just when you think Atkinson really made it, she spoils everything by explaining very sensibly and accurately all about the later events in the characters' lives. This destroys the magic and makes me think that mainstream writers shouldn't play with topics as difficult as these. Why did Atkinson feel she had to put her story back to the earth? A big mistake, I say. Without the last pages this would've been a great novel. Now I can't give more than 3 stars.

Behind the Scenes at the Museum
has sat on my shelves for months;
now that I see how wonderful this
author is, I must read it, too.

"How can I trust reality when the phenomenal world appears to be playing tricks on me at every turn?" Eliza tells us.

And, indeed, it does. Her mother
and father disappear. Time
shifts. Her brother changes
into a dog.

Just what is real?

As Eliza says over and over,"Appearances can be deceiving."

A wonderful book I never would
have read had it not been for
BookCrossing. Recommended.

Atkinson is an extremely witty and clever author. Every page (often every paragraph or sentence) contains something to wonder at, to laugh at, to be surprised at. I am a sucker for time travel novels and this had every appearance of being one -- but then it wasn't quite that at all. The ending left me a bit less satisfied than the first nine-tenths, but even so, I read it all hungrily and will read more of this literary author's work. I especially liked, as I usually do, that things don't always turn out happy and that people are mixed -- both good and something far different. Even if you ignore the larger themes about time and how our world operates, you can enjoy the story every page of the way.

Although Shakespeare's play is never referenced, the symbolism of the Forest of Arden in As You Like It (where identity is a game and relationships are as mutable as time) is clear in this witty, wise, confusing, magically realistic novel that reminds one of Mervin Peake's Gormenghast trilogy and of Jane Eyre simultaneously. This is without a doubt one of the best books I've read this year, for the story, the characters, and Atkinson's marvelously fluid writing style. If I sound like I'm trying to write a literary assessment of the book, it's because it extends into so many areas and dimensions, successfully and in an entertaining way.

I found myself overwhelmed by this story and atmosphere in which it was told. Every now and then I had to just stop reading and absorb the newest information. Kate Atkinson's writing is multidimensional and stunning, as she interwove times, people, and plots so that they were overlaid upon each other...yet not. I am amazed that anyone can write like this. Now I will have to re-read the book to understand what was "really" happening. And I cannot see the final pages as an ending with "too much reality" because I'm asking myself 'is that how it really ended?' or how Isobel wanted it to end?

I came upon "Human Croquet" after reading Atkinson's first novel, "Behind the Scenes..." and quite frankly I do have to admit I preferred the first. Having a debut novel established on such solid ground would, I presume hold a challenging task for any given author when undertaking the writing and publication of a follow-up, and Atkinson herself is no exception. There are less characters in "Human Croquet" yet too often the plot and its events are far too complicated and confusing for the reader, as often you get completely confused with what has actually happened or what is merely the result of Isobel (the protagonist's) imagination. We see the object of Isobel's affection, Malcom Lovatt, die three times and in the closure of the novel we are given the events of his life story in just a few lines. The novel is seemingly full of bizarre contradictions and in summary the novel seems to lack the originality and freshness of its predecessor. What we can expect of "Emotionally Weird" certainly leaves a lot to be desired. A substantial effort.

I was sorely disappointed with this book after reading all the rave reviews. This magically written and initially captivating story about a young girl and her eccentric family turns into a jumbled mess of confused ramblings in the last third of the book. The book seemed to stop in midsentence with an affected summary attached on for explanation. I had absolutely no clue what was going on and what's more I do not think the author did either.

The writer who conceived of this book must have a tortuous mind. 'Human Croquet' is a wild, magical ride, and I found that the only way to read it was to jump on and go through to the end. I was a little disappointed in the easy way out (those who have read it will know), but found it the only flaw. If you enjoyed 'Sexing the Cherry' (Jeanette Winterson), you will love this book.

I loved the way the reader gradually finds out more about the characters until the end. Every chapter added a new suprise that made me say, "Oh my GOSH!". The time changes from Past to Present to Future also is enjoyable

I found this book extremely difficult to read because of the constant time shifts. I expected complex plots from Kate Atkinson but usually it all makes sense in the end and one can appreciate the journey. However, in this book, parts of the story remain unclear at the end. None of the characters really seem to matter. Moreover, it is never entertaining enough to warrant the time spent trying to work it all out.

I found this book extremely difficult to read because of the constant time shifts. I expected complex plots from Kate Atkinson but usually it all makes sense in the end and one can appreciate the journey. However, in this book, parts of the story remain unclear at the end. None of the characters really seem to matter. Moreover, it is never entertaining enough to warrant the time spent trying to work it all out.

Wow! This novel is incredible. I started it after dinner, and it was so good I stayed up all night to finish it - I literally couldn't put it down. This novel is witty and charming, and Atkinson gets everything right - Isobel's search for the truth about her mother, her infatuation with Malcolm Lovat...Trust me, you will love this novel. Atkinson's first novel, "Behind the Scenes at the Museum," is also wonderful. Read them both!

I really liked "Case Histories" and was quite excited about starting this one. I am not the type of reader that only likes linear, neat storylines. Far from it. In fact, I like the challenge of a non-traditional novel, but this one didn't work for me. I liked parts of it quite a bit. Atkinson's sense of humor is really funny. Some of the dream sequences were interesting and well-developed. But, as a whole, the book just didn't work for me. I felt like it's unfinished and in real need of some editing, particularly all the run-ons and comma splices. As an English teacher, these really annoyed me, and made me want to bring out my grading pen! But, it's really the shifting narrators that bothered me. I don't think the story came together in any logical way. So, I can't say I recommend this one.

Lyrical and wildly imaginative, but a dreadfully dreary story about dreadfully unpleasant people. It might help if you've got bit of a streak of voyeurism. I loved the first ~30 pages, struggled through the next 70, then flipped to the back and skimmed the last 50 or so to see if things looked better. They didn't.

This book was lovely -- beautiful descriptions, fascinating characters and plot, and an intriguing first chapter that hooked me instantly. It doesn't quite fit into any category that I can think of . . . except that it is (and has been since I first read it) on the list of my favourite books of all time.

Human Croquet introduces a variety of charactors both from the past and present. There is a sense of mystery throughout the book concerning Eliza's disappearance. The ending was totally unexpected and completely stunned me. This novel demands your attention from the start and retains it constantly. I thought it was amazing.