Odd (Behind the Scenes at the Museum - Kate Atkinson)

Member Name: Lisabing

Product:	Behind the Scenes at the Museum - Kate Atkinson
Date:	08/01/01 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Passionate, sweet

Disadvantages: confusing

One of the best things about this book is the thorough nastiness or pathetic-ness (is that a word?) of almost every character. There's something passionate about creating such a load of hateful characters.

As for Ruby, the ever-developing, sometimes very young narrator, she's a terribly endearing storyteller, but sometimes too naive to be credible, as I figured out the mysteries with which she was struggling about 300 pages before she did.

What grates slightly is the impression that the author *knows* that this book will be studied and therefore builds in certain contrivances or symbols to give an essay-writer something to look for. I could be wrong though.

I like the book's attempts at messing with time, the confusion over identity and place, the almost supernatural episodes; but if it's mind-blowing magical realism you're looking for, I'd sooner recommend Angela Carter or Michele Roberts.

Summary: