Too often a writer of literary fiction tries to impress the reader with their command of the English language and wields it like a sword over the less erudite. Atkinson is able to write some of the most beautiful prose in a truly accessible manner. I have never read any of her work before but I am anxious to read the companion piece, Life after Life.
I have read many novels and non-fiction about WWII. No work has touched me and made me experience the war so viscerally. I can't say enough good things about the writing, the characters and the style. Each chapter contains the past, present, and future. this style though unusual becomes evident as to why it was employed in the final chapter.
I moderate a book club in a library with over 50 participants the 2 hours allotted for the club was just not adequate for the amount of input. READ THIS BOOK!!