readers advisory for all discussion

Hi, all-

My mother's favorite movie is It's A Wonderful Life and she loves the concept of seeing what would have happened to the lives of other people if George Bailey hadn't lived. She asked me the other day if I could think of any novels where the reverse is considered: what would have happened if X lived, instead of died. I couldn't think of any off the top of my head—any ideas? She's not looking so much for alternate histories dealing with famous people (such 'what if JFK hadn't been assassinated and/or Princess Diana hadn't died), but more fictional musings.

Thanks, and Happy Reading!

What about Life After Life by Kate Atkinson? The protagonist is born over and over again, making different choices and seeing how those choices change her whole life. I"m making it sound like Sliding Doors or something, but Kate Atkinson takes what could be a cheesy sci-fi trope and makes it beautiful and poignant, and not the slightest bit sci-fi.

Galen wrote: "What about Life After Life by Kate Atkinson? The protagonist is born over and over again, making different choices and seeing how those choices change her whole life. I"m making it sound like Slidi..."

You know, I wasn't thinking of it, but you're right that Life After Life fits this prompt perfectly. I love Kate Atkinson and that book in particular so much that I passed it along to my mother. So good call!

Yay!! It's one of my personal favorites so I love passing it along, but I'm even happier that you think it might be a good fit :)

Please tell us what your Mom thinks of "Life After Life". Most writers really fall short when they work with this idea; I've been disappointed so often when trying to find something like Atkinson's book. I will try any and all suggestions! Thanks for this discussion.

I haven't read Life After Life, but the concept seems to be similar to The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August. He also lives "on repeat", and the novel is set during the same period.