Shrines of Gaiety

A Novel

By: Kate Atkinson

Narrated by: Jason Watkins

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The award-winning author of Life after Life transports us to a restless London in the wake of the Great War—a city bursting with money, glamour, and corruption—in this spellbinding tale of seduction and betrayal.

A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: WASHINGTON POST, TIME, THE GUARDIAN, BOOKLIST

"Set during Jazz Age London, in all its fizzy madness and desperation.... As dark as [Atkinson's] stories can get, within them always shines a beacon of humanity.” —Gillian Flynn, bestselling author of Dark Places

1926, and in a country still recovering from the Great War, London has become the focus for a delirious new nightlife. In the clubs of Soho, peers of the realm rub shoulders with starlets, foreign dignitaries with gangsters, and girls sell dances for a shilling a time.  
 
The notorious queen of this glittering world is Nellie Coker, ruthless but also ambitious to advance her six children, including the enigmatic eldest, Niven, whose character has been forged in the crucible of the Somme. But success breeds enemies, and Nellie’s empire faces threats from without and within. For beneath the dazzle of Soho’s gaiety, there is a dark underbelly, a world in which it is all too easy to become lost.
 
With her unique Dickensian flair, Kate Atkinson gives us a window in a vanished world. Slyly funny, brilliantly observant, and ingeniously plotted, Shrines of Gaiety showcases the myriad talents that have made Atkinson one of the most lauded writers of our time.

Kate does it again.

Shrines of Gaiety is completely engaging, drama, humor and heartfelt struggles. Recommend completely. Put aside anything else you were planning on doing.

Wonderful story, Phenomenal narration

The narrator is brilliant, he made this the absolute best audible book I’ve ever listened to. There are so many interesting characters in this novel and the narrator gives each one their own distinct voice - the effect is mesmerizing. Highly recommend. Loved the story from beginning to end.

Disappointing book

This was a real disappointment from one of my favorite writers. There were too many characters which resulted in a lack of depth. I didn’t really care of what happened to any of them by the end I just wanted to book to be over I agree with other readers that the ending really lacked.

Weaving of so many characters

Love this author. So many interesting characters and story lines which all intertwine. Can’t get enough of her books!

Best book of the year!!

No one knits a story together like Kate Atkinson! With this novel, she adds another perfectly written novel to her oeuvre. The characters are real and flawed and so wonderful. The way Kate Atkinson is able to take these seemingly separate threads and weave them into one oh-so connected and fun story reinforces that she is one of the best authors writing today. Don't skip this one!!!