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Description edit
From the moment Ruby Lennox announces her own conception ("I exist!"), it is clear that she is a narrator who will leave no stone unturned in her account of family life above a pet shop in England. Not content simply to describe her own circumstances, Ruby investigates the lives of the women... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Ruby Lennox: Add a description of this character.
- Patricia
- George
- Gillian
- Lillian
- Bunty
- Frank
- Jack Keech
- Albert
- Rachel
- Nell
- Alice Barker
- Edmund
- Babs
- Tom
- Doreen
- Mrs Roper
- Kathleen
- Walter
- Monsieur Armand
- Clifford
- Mrs Carter
- Lawrence
- Sandra
- Percy
- Frederick
- Betty
- Ted
- Ada
- Mr Simon
- Mabel
- Mrs Reeves
- Christine
- Dr Herzmark
- Rose
- Kenneth
- Sandy
- Mr Belling
- Daisy
- Jonty Patterson
- Tina
- Adrian
- Len Toft
- Howard
- Lucy-vida
Quotes edit
-
“This is my Lost Property Cupboard theory of the afterlife - when we die we are taken to a great Lost Property Cupboard where all the things we have ever lost have been kept for us - every hairgrip, every button and pencil, every tooth, every earring and key, every pin (think how many there must be!) All the library books, all the cats that never came back, all the coins, all the watches (which will still be keeping time for us). And perhaps, too, the other less tangible things - tempers and patience (perhaps Patricia's virginity will be there), religion (Kathleen has lost hers), meaning, innocence (mine) and oceans of time - Mr Belling and Bunty will find a lot of time in their cupboard. Mr Belling is always sitting at the wheel of the Rover, parked in the driveway, looking at his watch and fuming, 'Do you know how much time we've lost waiting for you, Ruby?'”
Ruby Lennox
First Sentence edit
I exist!
Series & Lists edit
This book is in Guardian 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read. (authoritative list)
This is book 142 of 196 in BBC 'Big Read' Top 200 Novels, 2003. (authoritative list)
Preceded by All Quiet on the Western Front, and followed by High Fidelity.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Kate Atkinson (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Doubleday div. Transworld Publishers Ltd
Country: Great Britain
Publication Date: 1995
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 333
Publisher: Doubleday div. Transworld Publishers Ltd
Country: Great Britain
Publication Date: 1995
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: 333
Awards edit
- Whitbread Book Award (1995: First Novel)
- Whitbread Book of the Year (1995)
- Exclusive Books Boeke Prize (1996)
- BBC's Big Read (April 2003, #142)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 823.914
Subjects edit
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