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Transcription
by Atkinson, Kate
- Used
- Very Good
- Paperback
- Condition
- Very Good
- ISBN 10
- 0316176664
- ISBN 13
- 9780316176668
- Seller
-
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Back Bay Books. Softcover. Very Good. Transcription" by Kate Atkinson (ISBN: 9780316176668): "Transcription" is a historical novel by Kate Atkinson set in London during World War II. The story follows Juliet Armstrong, who is recruited by MI5 to transcribe conversations of British fascist sympathizers. The novel explores themes of espionage, betrayal, and the lasting impact of wartime activities. With Kate Atkinson's signature narrative skill, "Transcription" weaves a tale of intrigue, moral dilemmas, and the blurred lines between truth and deception. The story moves between the war years and the post-war era, as Juliet's past catches up with her in unexpected ways. Crisp, clean, unread book with some shelfwear/edgewear. May have remainder marks, often with a black dot or similar mark, to the top or bottom edge of the book.
Reviews
On Oct 25 2018, a reader said:
Transcription is the fourth stand-alone novel by award-winning British author, Kate Atkinson. In 1940, eighteen-year-old Juliet Armstrong finds herself recruited into the Secret Service. Mostly it's fairly boring, typing up reports and transcribing recordings of agents meeting with British Nazi-sympathisers. But then she's given another identity and the work gets more interesting, for a while. After one exciting episode, arrests are made.
But there were some incidents about which Juliet doesn't like to think too much, and when the war ends, she's not sorry to leave it all behind. Five years later, Juliet is working for the BBC producing children's programs when a face from the past appears: the man who posed as the Gestapo contact passes her in the street. What is disconcerting is that he pretends not to know her.
On the heels of this, a somewhat threatening note is delivered, more of her former colleagues from MI5 flit in and out, and she feels sure she is being followed. Frustrated for information from official channels, Juliet decides to become the hunter rather than the prey.
Once again, Atkinson gives the reader a plot that is perfectly plausible, but filled with twists and red herrings. Her depiction of London during the war and in the immediate aftermath has an authentic feel, with the social attitudes portrayed appropriate for the era. Her protagonist is easily believable: Juliet is intelligent but still naïve, although perhaps not quite as innocent as she first seems.
Her descriptive prose is excellent, as always, and Atkinson no doubt delighted in dropping this piece of dialogue in the final pages: "Fisher clapped his hands, as if to signal the end of the entertainment and said, 'Come now, quite enough of exposition and explanation. We're not approaching the end of a novel, Miss Armstrong.'" Another Atkinson masterpiece.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Quixotic Books (AU)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- QB02755
- Title
- Transcription
- Author
- Atkinson, Kate
- Format/Binding
- Softcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0316176664
- ISBN 13
- 9780316176668
- Publisher
- Back Bay Books
- Keywords
- Transcription, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Espionage, World War II, Secrets, Identity
Terms of Sale
Quixotic Books
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Quixotic Books
Biblio member since 2023
Launceston, Tasmania
About Quixotic Books
Quixotic Books is an independent bookstore in Launceston (Tasmania). We specialize in titles difficult to find offered in Australia, with an emphasis on history. We also offer a Book Finder Service, where we track down books you cannot find.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes: