When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson
Release date: 2008 / 388 pages
Synopsis (from front cover): On a hot, beautiful day in the English countryside, six-year-old Joanna Mason witnesses a horrific crime. Thirty years later, the man convicted of the crime is released from prison.
First line: “The heat rising up from the tarmac seemed to get trapped between the thick hedges that towered above their heads like battlements.”
Review: 
I had so many ways I wanted to start this review – then I happened to glance at Nancy Pearl’s interview with the author in the back of the book:
Atkinson: “I don’t like reviews. Good or bad, I don’t like them… I just couldn’t write about someone else’s writing… I don’t like reviews because I don’t like being out there, being — generally speaking, always, at some point — misunderstood. And you have no comeback. It’s not a discussion, it’s not a dialogue, it’s one person saying what they think about you, and you never get to say what you think about them, which is very irritating…”
Talk about pressure…! Now, the beauty of the blogosphere is that authors DO get to respond to bloggers’ reviews — I frequently get emails or comments (see my review of Funny in Farsi) from authors after they have read my review. Ironically, I rarely hear from authors after a positive review, but frequently do get a bit of a dialogue (or diatribe, as the case may be) after a not-so-positive review.
In this case, I just loved this novel! I accepted the publisher’s offer to read and review it, however, because I thought it was a memoir I had been meaning to read even though I had heard mixed reviews. So, I began the novel with trepidation, quickly realized it was NOT a memoir (thank goodness considering the premise), and could scarcely put it down until I turned the last page.
I think I may be one of the few who have NOT read Atkinson before, so this review may be a bit moot for many of you! But for those of you still in the dark, I found Atkinson to be as compelling and page-turning as Picoult — but so much smarter. So much smarter that I hate to even make the comparison, except there are some similarities. Good News is not an “issue” novel, but begins with a catastrophic scene and then intertwines a cast of characters who are affected, one way or another, by this crime or another crime. However, her literary allusions are delightful! One of the minor characters in the novel is described as having read “everything” — after about 50 pages, I wondered if the same could be said for Atkinson! The allusions are not intrusive, either, but weaved into the narrative like jewelled threads — secret gifts to the reader.
Atkinson’s narrative structure is also exquisite. She alternates perspectives beautifully — keeping us in the dark from time-to-time, always revealing enough to result in a fast-paced thriller. In addition, her characterization is spot-on. There was only one character who I did not care for (Louise, please get over yourself), but she was meant to be mostly unsympathetic, I think.
So, in case I am not the last one on earth to read a Kate Atkinson novel — please do so. As I was reading this, I recommended it to a number of strangers (who asked me what I was reading while waiting in line), and I had no reservations recommending this. “Crowd pleasing” is not derogative in the case of Atkinson, but a well-earned compliment. Needless to say, I’ve already requested her other novels from my library…
Now, I hate to give this one away for that very reason — this would be the perfect novel to have in a guest room, knowing the guest — any guest — would be delighted to find it. But, since we are moving soon and I must lighten my load as much as possible, I will give this away to a lucky reader… Simply leave me a comment below!
Thanks for the great review. I’m not familiar with this author, & your description is very compelling. I like books with strong characters & a well-developed sense of place.
Oh my – with a review like that, who could pass up this giveaway?! And just in case I don’t win…..it is going on the TBR list immediately!
Mstermind1 at gmail dot com
I would love to win the giveaway. My husband and I both read and enjoyed Atkinson’s first book, Case Histories. We look forward to another mystery featuring the character Jackson Brodie…ex-cop turned PI.
This book has been on my wish list for a
long time, the review is so good.
Please enter me for this super giveaway.
This sounds like a good read. I’d love the chance to win this!
Thanks so much for the opportunity!
I have never even heard of Atkinson, and I consider myself to be well-read! Guess there are still holes in my reading education. I’d love to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway!
This looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Her book “Case Histories” has been on my shelf for some time now waiting to be read. This review makes me want to go read that one along with this new book. I love books set in England!
This sounds like a great book
My kind of a book! Please add me to the running!
Thanks again Kristen,
Renee
I have not read Kate Atkinson before either. This sounds like a great place to start. Thank you for the wonderful giveaways. I know it must be hard to part with great books
I’m one of those who hasn’t read a Kate Atkinson novel. I don’t know why? I see her name pop up on all sorts of lists of must read books. And I always think “I need to read one”, but somehow it just never makes it into my pile. I’d LOVE to try one.
Another reader who has not read this author as well. I love a good mystery. Please put me in hat for this giveaway. Thanks!
I’m with Heather, I have had Case Histories on my shelf for a long time. Though I remembered there being muddled reviews for that book of hers.
Since you feel so strongly this Atkinson novel, will you definitely be picking up some of he rearlier work?
Here’s an author that I’ve never read…please include my name into the giveaway!
I’d love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
I would love to read this great book.
I’ve had my eye on this book for a while now, and would love to read it. Great review! Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d love to read this one! I’ve never read anything by Atkinson, and it sounds like this book is a perfect place to start. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d love to read this book. I don’t believe I’ve read any of hers yet.
Jo
Thanks for the opportunity!
I haven’t read any Kate Atkinson either, but you’ve definitely convinced me that I should! I’d love to be entered for the giveaway.
This is a great book. Count me in on your giveaway!
Hi Kristen! I’ll write back to you properly sometime – right now your last email to me is buried in my school email and who wants to look at that right now? Not me!!!
I just wanted to tell you I hate you (not really) for recommending Belong to Me – I’m about 3/4 of the way through and have cried at least 2x! Stop it! 
I looooved The Sugar Queen. Interesting to hear your opinion of this book. I loved one book I read by Kate Atkinson (a murdered girl) and stopped reading one after a few chapters (POV of an unborn baby) so I’ll have to give this one a try. Sorry to ramble. Thanks really for your recommendations! I wouldn’t hear about these books if it weren’t for you. 
I enjoyed Case Histories and this sounds good too – please include me. Thanks!
I’m so glad you reviewed this book. It is on my shelf but I keep passing it by because I’m not a “mystery” person. You’ve convinced me to read it.
Atkinson’s “Behind the Scenes at the Museum” is one of my all time favorites. Despite the subject matter, it is literary and smart (just how you described “Good News”) but also funny as all get out.
I always enjoy your reviews. Your honesty is refreshing.
Thanks,
Meg
I’m so glad to see such interest in this novel… It was fun to review a novel outside my genre, too!! Atkinson certainly appealed to this “non-mystery” reader!