Comments (54)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 54 items
Aug 19, 2023danskpige54 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Long and not very good book. I kept reading because I like the author. But this was a waste of my time.
Sep 15, 2022library_tabby rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
What bone does the author have to pick with MI5? She certainly went out of her way to show them in a bad light. We are supposed to believe that they would take on a very naive, 18-year-old girl just out of high school and NOT give her any…
Jun 23, 2022katherinereadsbooks1 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book has proven to me that you need to be in the right mindset to enjoy a book. In 2019 I started listening to the audiobook because I was on a kick reading Historical Fiction, however I was so bored I didn't finish halfway…
Mar 25, 2022CaptainHecto rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A wartime + postwar counter-espionage plot with a nice (albeit not quite plausible) twist at the end. What matters is Atkinson's intelligent writing, which makes this book such a pleasure to read.
Mar 19, 2022mkbecker rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Tedious. Author seems unsure about whether this is a spy thriller, a coming of age novel, a comedy of wry manners, or a cozy British mystery with lots of teacups. I couldn't stick with it after the first half so I skipped ahead to see…
Jan 27, 2022AnnieFofa rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was a very interesting book. I was unpleasantly surprised to learn the extent of animosity against the Jewish people and the degree of support for the Nazis in England at the time of WWII.
Mar 01, 2021AbbyNicoKarma rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Found this book very surprising, all the twists and turns, loved the characters and the reader (in the audiobook) was perfect! Definitely worth a read if you enjoy historical espionage fiction :)
Feb 11, 2021natalkaanna rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Some very good lines but basically not my cup of tea.
Jun 02, 2020
As a previous reviewer very cleverly noted, Kate Atkinson has certainly read her John LeCarré. Some character names are lifted straight out of his novels, as is the depiction of Toby/Hazeldine (his last scene is George Smiley if ever there…
Mar 02, 2020
Not what I expected but a very enjoyable read.
Jan 20, 2020
Adding my voice to the other readers who enjoyed Atkinson's approach to her young protagonist, who like one of the readers commented, eventually learned to trust no one. There's a definite value to reading the book rather than using the…
Oct 31, 2019
WW II Britain
Aug 18, 2019thorntonseater rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I have a question - did anyone notice the clues to the surprise ending? I listened to the audiobook and completely missed them. Is it worth reading it on the page to find the clues? Thanks!
Aug 15, 2019NedSu rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This was my introduction to the author, and I was impressed. I am not much of a historical fiction fan, but this novel might have changed my mind. I found the story interesting, and the protagonist was great, witty in introspection and in…
Jul 22, 2019cknightkc rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Uneven in its delivery, TRANSCRIPTION is not one of my favorites by Kate Atkinson. Still, the author’s intelligence shines throughout, particularly as it pertains to her writing style, tone, and character development. What’s more, this…
michaelfwood
Jun 21, 2019michaelfwood rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
The publisher is doubtless embarrassed.
Jun 17, 2019
It was interesting to read about WWII in London from a female perspective. I found the ending confusing - I didn't understand it. I also enjoyed Warlight by Michael Ondajtee.
May 31, 2019xiaojunbpl12 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Disguised as a “spy novel”, the protagonist Juliet’s witty, sometimes aloof even flippant style quickly became infectious over me, an unexpected mood kindling when read about WWII. Author’s holding back or giving out content against…
May 16, 2019fred98115 rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Feels like a good short story expanded into a confusing, meandering spy novel sited in the years in Britain before WW2. Protagonist is a secretary.
Apr 25, 2019LizzieCent rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
I became a Kate Atkinson fan after reading the Jackson Brodie series (Case Histories), but have not enjoyed any of her other books, include Transcription, nearly as much.
Apr 23, 2019DBRL_ANNEG rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I generally enjoyed this Cold War spy thriller, but mostly for the bits of dry humor that Kate Atkinson managed to sprinkle throughout rather than the mystery that unfolded. Atkinson does a phenomenal job of building characters who…
Mar 30, 2019dollface_1 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Disappointing read. Juliette Armstrong had no depth....never learned anything about her son....spy stuff was dull. Atkinson has written much better books, thankfully.
Mar 27, 2019JessicaGma rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This felt like a more straightforward book over some of the other novels Atkinson has written. It wasn't a bad story, but it was definitely spies light.
Mar 24, 2019BigOrange rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This is my first Kate Atkinson book and I was really looking forward to it after all the great reviews. I was so sure of it, I selected it for the book club read. Must be me, but I found this alternately exciting, dull, but mostly…
Mar 23, 2019SherryNeufeld rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Great read! Kate Atkinson never disappoints.