A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson | Summary & Analysis

By IRB Media

Inside this Instaread Summary & Analysis of A God in Ruins

• Summary of book

• Introduction to the Important People in the book

• Analysis of the Themes and Author’s Style

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jun 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781943427222

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SUMMARY

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson is a novel set primarily in England that is about the horrors of war, the joys and challenges of family, and the fear and sadness of terminal illness.

In 1925, young Teddy goes for a walk with his Aunt Izzie. He tries to share his love and knowledge of things in nature with her, but she does not seem interested. Teddy is upset by the fact that Izzie claims to have eaten a skylark. Izzie asks him questions about his likes and dislikes. She later uses his answers to write a series of books loosely based on him even though the main character is nothing like Teddy. Teddy hates the books and the fact that they are dedicated to him.

When World War II begins, Teddy signs up. He is relieved to be escaping work at the bank with his father. He becomes a Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot and commander of the Halifax bombers. Teddy’s sister, Ursula, gives Teddy a small silver hare to keep as a good luck charm while he is away at war. It is the same one that hung above his pram when he was a baby. He keeps it in his pocket for every mission he flies over Germany. His sweetheart, Nancy, is an expert in math and serves in the war by helping decipher German codes.  

While serving with the RAF, Teddy sees many die, including some of his own crew men. His plane goes down in a fiery crash during his last mission. He