Human Croquet

Kate Atkinson

Gill started off by noting that it was similar to Behind the Scenes at the Museum (Kate Atkinson's first novel) in that it was written in the first person, dealing with a teenage girl growing up. Gill said that as a second novel she had not expected Human Croquet to be as good, however, after having trouble getting into the book she found that it was very good. Gill said that the book takes you in and is about time and reality and a tale about "where you are in time". As the book was set in the suburbs in the north and in the 1960s Gill said that she could relate to the book, as she grew up in a similar environment. Talking about both books she had read Gill commented that she enjoyed it when an author brought in another work, such as The Book of Knots in The Shipping News, which helped explain what was going on in the book.

Doreen said that had not enjoyed Human Croquet despite reading Behind the Scenes at the Museum. Gavin added that he felt that the first twenty pages of Human Croquet were almost the same as the beginning of Behind the Scenes and he felt that Kate Atkinson needed a new beginning for the book. He added that the book took off after about one third of the story and was very successful after that point.
Gill 26/4/98

Seán found this book engaging but irritating. One of the characters slips backward and forwards in time but there seems no particular reason for this. The central mystery is no mystery but blindingly obvious.
Seán 7/2/99

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