Transcription

In 1940, eighteen-year old Juliet Armstrong is reluctantly recruited into the world of espionage. Sent to an obscure department of MI5 tasked with monitoring the comings and goings of British Fascist sympathisers, she discovers the work to be by turns both tedious and terrifying. But after the war has ended, she presumes the events of those years have been relegated to the past for ever.

Ten years later, now a producer at the BBC, Juliet is unexpectedly confronted by figures from her past. A different war is being fought now, on a different battleground, but Juliet finds herself once more under threat. A bill of reckoning is due, and she finally begins to realise that there is no action without consequence.

Transcription is a work of rare depth and texture, a bravura modern novel of extraordinary power, wit and empathy. It is a triumphant work of fiction from one of this country’s most exceptional writers.

‘A fine example of Kate Atkinson’s mature work’ – Observer

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Transcription by Kate Atkinson

Kate Atkinson in conversation with Susan Orlean at Live Talks Los Angeles

Kate Atkinson talks to Simon from Savidge Reads about Transcription

Reviews

A fine example of Kate Atkinson’s mature work, an unapologetic novel of ideas which is also wise, funny and paced like a thriller.

Observer

Full of beautiful, delicate, sharp sentences and characterisations. A spy novel that dismantles the whole genre. A class act, as ever.

Matt Haig

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