Transcription

A Novel

By: Kate Atkinson

Narrated by: Fenella Woolgar

A dramatic story of WWII espionage, betrayal, and loyalty, by the number one best-selling author of Life After Life.

In 1940, 18-year-old Juliet Armstrong is reluctantly recruited into the world of espionage. Sent to an obscure department of MI5 tasked with monitoring the comings and goings of British Fascist sympathizers, she discovers the work to be by turns both tedious and terrifying. But after the war has ended, she presumes the events of those years have been relegated to the past forever.

Ten years later, now a radio producer at the BBC, Juliet is unexpectedly confronted by figures from her past. A different war is being fought now, on a different battleground, but Juliet finds herself once more under threat. A bill of reckoning is due, and she finally begins to realize that there is no action without consequence.

Transcription is a work of rare depth and texture, a bravura modern novel of extraordinary power, wit and empathy. It is a triumphant work of fiction from one of the best writers of our time.

©2018 Kate Atkinson (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Atkinson never fails to take us beyond an individual's circumstances to the achingly human, often-contradictory impulses within. And, as all of Atkinson's readers know, she is an exquisite writer of prose, using language with startling precision whether she is plumbing an inner life, describing events of appalling violence, or displaying her characters' wonderfully acerbic wit. Evoking such different but equally memorable works as Graham Greene's The Human Factor (1978) and Margaret Drabble's The Middle Ground (1980), this is a wonderful novel about making choices, failing to make them, and living, with some degree of grace, the lives our choices determine for us." (Booklist, starred review)

"There is intrigue. There are surprises. But the unknowns aren't always what we think they are. The deepest pleasure here, though, is the author's language. As ever, Atkinson is sharp, precise, and funny.... Another beautifully crafted book from an author of great intelligence and empathy." (Kirkus, starred review)

"If you loved Atkinson's Life After Life, you're in luck. If you're one of the, say, five people who didn't read it: You're still in luck - Atkinson is a master at the top of her game. A quiet, moving portrait of a guy navigating life's small pleasures and painful failures." (Marie Claire)

"Fenella Woolgar's masterful narration transforms Juliet Armstrong into a friend who is confiding a lifetime of secrets.... Woolgar's interpretations of Juliet's wry asides and commentary, peppered throughout the text, are hilarious, and she convincingly portrays a broad cast of characters, from plucky Cockney-accented errand boys to elderly women conspiratorially sharing their shocking views. Woolgar's melodious voice and dry wit carry listeners through the decades as Juliet's secrets race to catch up with her." (AudioFile)

Doesn't propel

The narrator was very good but I didn't find the story line very compelling overall.

An engaging spy novel

I had never read or listened to Kate Atkinson before and as I started Transcription, the first thing that struck me was the elegance of her prose. Words are carefully chosen and placed in each sentence, and the result is rhythmic and melodious, qualities that were especially enhanced by the engaging performance of Fenella Woolgar, as the narrator. We get into Juliet Armstrong’s life through a series of flashbacks and forwards, mostly between the 1940s and 1950s, when the bulk of the plot takes place. Juliet is a spy during WWII but her work doesn’t have any of the glamour of James Bond’s. Her job borders boredom, consisting primarily of transcribing the conversations that happen behind closed doors in the room next to hers. Several other characters, spies or otherwise, are introduced along the way and, as it’s so common in the world of espionage, it’s hard for Juliet, and for us, to tell friend from foe. We never really find out whether Juliet’s and her colleagues’ work contributed at all to the allied victory in the war. But we are reminded that spying is a dangerous undertaking and it doesn’t provide an easy way out for those who enter the profession. Surprisingly, but not at all disappointedly, the most crucial revelations only come to light in the last few pages of the book, before the story ends right where it had begun.

Disappointing

This novel is an office intrigue set during WWII and the cold war; there is not much action and the only evolution of characters that occurred for me was figuring out who was suing on who. I was expecting more on the basis of Ms Atkinson's previous works, A God in Ruins, and Life After Life.

Dragged quite a bit

Enjoyed the performance and the story brought characters to life, but it seemed to drag on and on as well as become repetitive. However, the author’s note gave me great respect for the research that went into it.

I was sorry to see it end!

I was wary about this book after reading some of the more negative reviews. However, I enjoy reading about this time period and I like this author. I am glad that I took a chance on this book. The narrator was excellent and I look forward to more recordings by her. The story was complicated at times and I would have to rewind, but I am so glad I stuck with it. I enjoyed the characters so much and the twists and turns to the plot.

Could listen to this narrator read the phone book.

Loved this book just as much as Life After Life and Fenella Woolgar is just absolutely lovely to listen to!

Exceptional

Exceptional naration or an exceptional story. Atkinson is outstanding and the narrator really brings this story to life.

awesome

I love this story. the narrator is perfect. this is historical fiction nonpareil, well researched with a wiley protagonist

Wonderful story

I loved this audiobook! The narration is crisp and perfect for the character. The story itself was fascinating because of the war/post war time periods. It isn’t non stop action or something like that; it’s just a great story that is worth your time to explore.

Read this.

I adore everything by Kate Atkinson. Transcription merges the shape-shifting of her two WW II novels (Life after Life and A God in Ruins) with a bit of John Le Carre tradecraft that you don't see coming right away. And of course, there's a dog. Two, actually. The narration by Fenella Woolgar was perfect. As soon as I finished it last night, I wanted to start all over again, to savor the bits I may have missed on the first go-round.