#Shrines of Gaiety

[spindleprick]

[...] She shone with the promise of a future, a future that would surely be better than the past. It sanctified her in the eyes of the audience. If they could have kept a piece of her — a finger bone, a lock of hair, even a pom-pom — they would have.

Kate Atkinson, Shrines of Gaiety

[genyathefirebird]

chomping on my arm about gwen x niven

[cameratosee]

[fizzreads]

I’ve read several books by this author now; she’s quite good. I loved this book and couldn’t stop reading it. It was about about a woman running a string of nightclubs in London during the postwar 1920s craziness, and her family. But also about a teenage runaway, and a police officer, and a newly rich librarian. All these stories are interconnected. It was kind of fun and fizzy and light, but it’s also about murder and drugs and sexual assault. Hard to explain, but I really enjoyed it. There was one storyline that was a bit unexplained, and it was the one about cocaine in postcards and what exactly Florence got up to.

[bookcoversonly]

Title: Shrines of Gaiety | Author: Kate Atkinson | Publisher: Doubleday Books (2022)

[ninsiana0]

Read SHRINES OF GAIETY by Kate Atkinson if you love post-war narratives, crime families, night clubs, London, running away, automobiles, vintage cocktails, missing girls, intersecting stories, love triangles, little dogs, fairies and well researched historical fiction.

[lilianeruyters]

Kate Atkinson – Shrines of Gaiety

At first sight one might say Shrines of Gaiety is a mere amusing tale; set in the 1930’s, concentrating on a family running some night clubs, taking matters in their own hand when necessary. That would be doing Atkinson short. Shrines of Gaiety as a matter of fact is a worthy predecessor of many a Dickens’ novel. I’ll explain why. In the first place because of the sheer number of characters and…

[anditendshowyoudexpect]

really enjoying Shrines of Gaiety so far. i mean i might even switch to the kindle version altogether bc it's more enjoyable than the audiobook, don't want to miss a sentence

Ramsay writing is very relatable 😂 creativity was surprisingly tiring indeed

[literaryvice]

Shrines of Gaiety: Extremely Fun(ny)

Shrines of Gaiety: Extremely Fun(ny)

I’m here to report that Kate Atiknson’s Shrines of Gaiety is extremely fun and funny. Though, if you are at all like me, it will take you 75 pages to figure that out. I started out thinking ‘this is Serious literary fiction’ (and it is literary fiction!) and set in London after World War One and about gender politics and gangsters and so must be Dull But Important. Persist, dear reader,…

[105nt]

Finished The Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson. It was much more enjoyable. I loved the characters and the way she didn't overburden us with details at the end (Life After Life, at least the TV adaptation) was like that too. I would like to read something more about that period in-between the First World War and the Depression: not got much time for the bright young things, but this wasn't about them, it was about the people who made a living from them and fished them out of the river - much more interesting.

Moving on to this which is a charity shop find. Read two chapters last night and already hooked. Dystopian futures are my first literary love. 😁

[aglennco]

Constellations from our group's game of The Prophet's Path for our campaign, Post Solar. Transcriptions of the text plus the image of the star map are under the cut:

Prelapsarian: A Prelapsarian will believe themself capable of anything, enabling them to look past antiquated perspectives to usher in new ideas, but they must take care not to reach for the sun. When working alone they often find themselves in over their head.

Compatible: Commitment Avoid: Redeemed Lucky Numbers: 2, 22, 36, 48, 52 Notable figures: Stele of the Compassion, Jack of Guts, Eschaton Elegy

Embrace: Embrace wants nothing more than to keep the world safe in its arms. They make noble leaders who will devote themselves to building a more just world, sometimes at the cost of their own happiness. A too tight Embrace is painful for everyone involved.

Compatible: Harlequin Avoid: Prelapsarian Lucky Numbers: 4, 8, 10, 12, 44 Notable Figures: Mercadier de Nulle, Mortis of the Blood, Anthem Rebis, Oranges-for-Breakfast

Chase: Children born in the grip of the Chase are masters of their field. They seek to endlessly improve at their chosen work, but they never forget to have a bit of fun in the process. Other Constellations may mistake gaiety for a lack of responsibility if the Chase mixes work and play.

Compatible: Prelapsarian Avoid: Succession Lucky Numbers: 6, 22, 33, 44, 66 Notable Figures: Juni of the Compassion, Abacus the Weasel, Dr. Temple Shrine, The Prophet's Sister

Flight: Flight cannot abide standing still for too long. There is always something to do and somewhere to be. They may be quick to flee but they are always the first to discover something new. If they forget to rest, it is easy for them to overlook what they love.

Compatible: Chase Avoid: Prelapsarian Lucky Numbers: 8, 9, 14, 55, 69 Notable Figures: Conifer of the Miracle, Captain Ache, Wing and a Prayer

Harlequin: The Harlequin has a pronounced sense of duty that allows them to patiently pursue their goals. While they are often a gregarious Constellation, they are not good communicators. They must learn to choose their words carefully to avoid misunderstandings.

Compatible: Embrace Avoid: Chase Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 16, 18 Notable Figures: Hart, The Miracle, Cardinal Meridian

Succession: Change follows Succession wherever they go. They don’t seek revolution, but they won’t follow old rules for tradition’s sake. Following their own path might hurt those they love most if they do not take care to explain themselves.

Compatible: Triskelion Avoid: Burr Lucky Numbers: 24, 30, 40, 48, 60 Notable Figures: Jori, Captain Montmercy, Mourning, Glory

Redeemed: Redeemed knows its time will always come, if they can weather their opposition. They know what the world needs before the world itself realizes it. If they restrain themselves from carrying grudges they will eventually find themselves with like minded companions.

Compatible: Loss Avoid: Triskelion Lucky Numbers: 4, 9, 13, 17, 39 Notable Figures: Juri of the Compassion, Syllophane

Triskelion: The Triskelion is known for its wicked heart, but it is not doomed to tyranny. The Triskelion is three hearts made one: the traitor, the lover, and the lost. If they can find balance between their natures, their heart will allow them to achieve many noble deeds in the face of disbelief.

Compatible: Flight Avoid: Serpent Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 21, 30, 52 Notable Figures: Jaci of the Compassion, Old Bones

Commitment: Those born under Commitment devote themselves to their beliefs. They are unshakable and loyal, but struggle to respect those who do not share their outlook. They must take care not to commit themselves to that which would never let them free.

Compatible: Serpent Avoid: Embrace Lucky Numbers: 5, 23, 34, 41, 53 Notable Figures: The Lost Angel, Solstice Sixtine, Joli of the Compassion

Serpent: The most mutable of the Constellations, the playful Serpents desire companionship and warmth. They trust those in their embrace to always have their best interests at heart. When that trust is broken, they repay the deepest wounds with the sharpest bite.

Compatible: Serpent Avoid: Loss Lucky Numbers: 2, 8, 15, 38, 65 Notable Figures: Hercif of the Miracle, Hercun of the Miracle, Estell Manor

Loss: Those born under the sign of Loss start the world with nothing, but they have everything to gain. The children of Loss will do anything to obtain more than the Constellations ever dreamed of achieving. A Loss is never a setback: it can only sharpen their desire.

Compatible: Harlequin Avoid: Loss Lucky Numbers: 0, 1, 31, 68, 70 Notable Figures: For Felinus, Valentine Egress, Lorelei, The Prophet, Kotowari

Burr: The Burr is stubborn and ambitious, seeking an indulgent life of their own making. They pursue their goals with single minded focus and must take care to pay attention to the schemes of those who might take advantage of their drive.

Compatible: Loss Avoid: Commitment Lucky Numbers: 7, 13, 19, 37, 55 Notable Figures: Iola, Sophia, Captain Hardwood, King Burr, Errol Clay Frick

[frances-baby-houseman]

Libby-only ebooks should be illegal. I don't want to have to read on my freaking phone!! I'd get it in paper but my dysfunctional library didn't order any hot picks. I do think Shrines of Gaiety showed up as Libby initially and after a few days Kindle was available, so I'll hang on to this for awhile to see if it adds Kindle.

BTW THERE'S A NEW JACKSON BRODIE!!!

[mercurygray]

Currently Reading - November 2024

Just Finished:

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, by Benjamin Stevenson Everyone on this Train Is A Suspect, by Benjamin Stevenson

The Ministry of Time, by Kaliane Bradley The Burning of the World: The Great Chicago Fire and the War for a City's Soul, by Scott Berg - Book Club book for October. This was a fascinating look at the Chicago Fire. Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, A Japanese American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor, by Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll. Book Club book for November. I was a little skeptical of a book written by Mark Harmon, but I thought they did a nice job of opening up a super interesting chapter, and overlooked person, in the broader story of World War Two. Shrines of Gaiety, Kate Atkinson. The title spoke to me. It's 1920s London, and Atkinson does a really really cool job here of keeping multiple characters in multiple storylines all tied together and yet somehow experiencing the story in their own time, if that makes sense. Really enjoyed this one.

The Pursuit of Love (BBC, 2021) Been on my list for ages. Now I feel like I should read the book.

Currently Watching: Covert Affairs (2010-2014, watching on Peacock) Van Der Valk (2020-2024, watching on PBS Passport)

On My TBR: The Language of Trees: A Rewilding of Literature and Landscape, by Katie Holten (Our CEO raffled off this book at one of our staff meetings. She really enjoyed it.)

Debs at War: 1939-1945, by Anne de Courcy

The Will of the Many, by James Islington (A friend of mine from book club recommended this.)

[keyofjetwolf]

Was The Alice Network any good? I was very intrigued by the opening line

Yes?

WHAT A RINGING ENDORSEMENT RIGHT

No, it was good. it was, up to a point, REALLY good. But -- and, well, I guess minor spoilers ahead so I'll put it under the cut.

But it really ended extremely pat. It was a pretty happy feel-good ending, particularly given the setting and content, and I couldn't help but feel a bit cheated by the whole thing. It actually wound up retroactively taking away from the story, very much retracting its teeth in a way I began to fear it might at about the halfway point. Everyone's tastes are different of course, so that might not be a problem for everyone.

Yeah, so really left feeling a bit empty by the end of it. it did lead me to Kate Atkinson though, who also does historical fiction. I can't remember the title off-hand now, but she has one also around a women's spy network in one (both?) of the World Wars, which I think I might find more satisfying. That one still hasn't come available, but I did pick up Shrines of Gaiety, and it's currently sitting among my top reads of the year so far. High hopes!

I'm currently between books, but next up is almost certainly Brideshead Revisited if I'm going to get it done in time for bookclub (and I've been informed I'm to attend the next bookclub SO THERE WE ARE I GUESS).