From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…

Shrines of Gaiety

Kate Atkinson

Start date: February 15, 2023

Finish date: March 15, 2023

Discussion: Reading List

Discussion leader: Jane

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Reading List

* The Schedule for July through Dec. 2025
By Lynn · 1 post · 41 views

last updated Jun 20, 2025 08:37AM

Circe - discussion with spoilers
By Jane · 17 posts · 23 views

last updated Sep 06, 2025 04:48PM

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What Members Thought

Feb 19, 2023 Barbara rated it really liked it

Initially, this book left me a little cold because of the number of characters. I couldn't get really involved. But, I am glad that I persevered. By the end, I liked a few of the characters so much that I was willing to leave the others in the background. A friend here pointed out the after effects of WWI that are part of the story throughout. It is easy to overlook them given Atkinson's entertaining prose but they are an important factor. ...more

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Jan 25, 2025 Linda Aull rated it it was amazing

Shelves: maindishfiction

I loved this book, a fictionalized piece of history made compelling through excellent character portraits, humor, and great writing.

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Jan 19, 2025 Loretta rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobooks

Not my favorite Atkinson. Too many characters wandering around without a plot for quite a lot of the book. And that thing where the characters you most want to meet each other just keep missing each other and I HATE that. The ending felt rushed and forced and I don’t understand why we got to learn how some characters ended up and others were literally and explicitly left hanging. What was that??

Gorgeous writing, of course, and the slice of London post-WWI and this particular scene was a compell ...more

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