‘Normal Rules’ don’t apply from the off in these these eleven chaotic, sometimes dystopian, interconnected tales from Kate Atkinson in her new short story collection. We meet a wonderful array of reoccurring characters, (some you won’t forget and others you wish you could). In some hands the stories could have been slightly ridiculous but the deft writing delivered with Kate Atkinson’s customary black humor - ‘Franklin had never been to bed with such a bony woman; it had been like having sex with a rather irritable skeleton’ - make it a delight to read. It’s inventive and I like the way she uses wry observation, for instance climate change and the sending up of a dysfunctional royal family so like our own.
There’s a talking horse, time warps, twisted fairy tales, a long running soap opera, a ghost who can’t remember what happened to her and so much more, before in the last two stories an explanation of sorts of the deliciously mad multiverse we’ve been inhabiting while reading these cracking tales.

Many thanks to Transworld, Penguin Random House & NetGalley for an ARC

'Normal Rules Don't Apply' immediately reminded me of Kate Atkinson's previous collection of short stories, 'Not the End of the World'. The theme of the latter being, more or less, the end of the world. And that seems to be the common thread of this latest collection too. It opens with a tale of the apocalypse, as experienced from within a Yorkshire Waitrose, and continues with interlinked stories all around much the same premise.

I quite enjoyed working out how the stories would fit together and looking out for characters and references from the previous ones. But I did find the focus on planetary doom a bit depressing, particularly as she's already done a book of short stories around that. An author as incredibly inventive and versatile as Atkinson could surely have found a different underlying theme to the one she's done already.

As with most short story collections, some are better than others and probably different ones will appeal to different people. I was quite disappointed with the ending as I'd hoped the different stories would dovetail better to give a more satisfying conclusion. But that's probably why I like novels better than short stories generally!

Atkinson is a good writer, although the lack of dialogue and amount of introspection in this collection makes it less readable than many of her other works. If you enjoy literary fiction with a magical realist, surrealist quality, then it would definitely be worth reading. If you prefer your stories without supernatural elements, or don't want to think too much about the end times, this isn't for you. But do try her novels if you haven't already.

Kate Atkinson is a consummate storyteller; over recent years she has written some of the finest contemporary English literature. The creation of short story stories is a path taken by many and often not successfully- it's a fine line to capture the essence of a character and a well formed plot in a concise structure. Normal Rules Don't Apply is a mixed selection- spinning a hypnotic web of curiosity, surreal imagination and some unique individuals. These stories are a cornucopia of fascination - twists and turns prevail and there are thread that links these stories- whether it be characters or events.( Franklin's world needed to be a novel in itself ). There is a sense of the 'Dahl-esque ' in the darker turns and conclusions. One thing is for sure is the magic of Kate Atkinson's pen - at times poetic in prose and certainly rich in vocabulary this a selection of stories to 'escape' and venture into new, imaginary and fantastical worlds pulling us into stories that will disturb, satisfy and certainly intrigue. Whether you are new to Kate Atkinson's work or already admirer, there is much here to cause reflection and ultimately enjoy

Five stars for this creative, interconnected group of short stories, by one of the UK‘s most gifted authors. I’m really getting into short stories, and when Kate Atkinson writes another collection, I sit up and take notice. There are colourful characters in abundance, some whom keep popping up, especially likeable Franklin, who I begin to look out for to see how he’s faring. All the array of characters, some of whom are mere snapshots, are well portrayed with a few deft strokes you were able to visualise them in all their glory, or otherwise!

The dialogue is first class, pertinent and authentic with acute observations of the human condition. This is an original collection, at times it’s very witty and funny , it’s exuberant, eccentric, at times puzzling or surprising, poignant or just plain sad, or on one occasion I’m moved some anger at the depth of the betrayal. I think readers will find several that really appeal as this collection has something for everyone. There’s some fantasy which the author has me buying into, a couple that are magical and would give the Brothers Grimm a run for their money , some are grounded in reality, you even get a long-running soap opera which crops up in several stories.

Sometimes short stories leave you feeling somewhat dissatisfied as you want more, but that is not the case here and I think that’s probably because they interconnect so cleverly. I love that most are set here in North Yorkshire, we have Swaledale sheep, Betty’s vanilla slices (way better than a fat rascal!), York races, and so on! I’m always happy to be “stranded in the north”!

It’s hard to pick out a favourite though the ones that Franklin features in are probably the ones I like the best especially “Dogs in Jeopardy“ which is genius and funny which contrasts so well with “Classic Quest 17, Crime and Punishment“. Here Franklin’s “beau” Connie Kingshott, and her barking mad family, who you grow to realise are calculating witches. “What If” brings the storytelling full circle. “Void” which begins the collection is an apocalyptic nightmare with excellent vivid, descriptive storytelling. Finally, I have a little chuckle at “Puppies and Rainbows” at least American actress Skyler Schiller gets a puppy!

Highly recommended for fans of short stories, or anyone who just wants a creative and different read.

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I have been more into dystopianesque books recently - which is no surprise with how the world is. I really enjoyed this, it was well-written with a compelling storyline and well-developed characters, it was a nice change having short stories rather than a continuing story.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

I'm not a huge short story fan, but when Kate Atkinson is writing them - well... These short stories are full of what we expect from Kate Atkinson but with more wit. The short stories are connected subtly, a minor character in one story becomes a main character in another, that type of thing but there are others links too that you spot as you read. It became a sort of game as I was reading to spot the link. However, there is so much more - we have a dystopian apocalyptic opening which would be quite dark except for the lightness of the writing. We have talking horses, talking dogs, a secretary watching on from the 'underworld', we even have a fairy story which seems to bleed into 'real' story and a god-like character who seems to be trying to rebuild the universe and having to restart time and time again and you wonder if it is she who is creating all the characters and the situations. I enjoyed this and know that I will read these stories again.

Short story collections can be a bit hit and miss. Even when a single author writes them all, you usually find a few of the stories don't suit you. However that is not the case her, The stories are intelligent, engaging and witty with no weak links. This was an absolute treat - many thanks to the publisher for inviting me to read it. I highly recommend the collection whether you're an Atkinson fan or not.

’m a big fan of Kate Atkinson and was pleased to see a new collection of short stories being published this year.

I always feel that Kate Atkinson, is an intelligent writer.and is a fantastic storyteller and these short stories live up to this. The one thing I hadn’t noticed so much in previous novels was wit. and these short stories really do show this. The stories are witty and intelligent and I particularly enjoyed the links between stories. Characters appear and reappear as do places , characters that have a walk on part in one story are the main narrator in another story. We meet talking horses and talking dogs seemingly at random, and within quite naturalistic stories. At one stage, it seems that one of the characters might perhaps be God and writing all the other characters as she develops the universe.

I’m not actually much of a fan of the short story format, but the way that these stories are linked, gives the book more of a feel of a novel than an unconnected series of stories would. I enjoyed the game of spotting link was between the stories

I particularly enjoyed the apocalyptic story where the world pauses and anyone found outside dies. The story could’ve been quite dark, but the but with the addition of the authors wit, the story is very memorable.

If you are a fan of Kate Atkinson, you will no doubt buy this book, and I’m sure will not be disappointed with it. there is a similarity in the writing here with that of her previous novel Life after life, those who are new to the author will also enjoy this book. if you like into an intelligent witty, read, with a careful sprinkling of magical reality this will be the book for you.

Many thanks to Alison Barrow for sending me a copy of this novel to read and review. The novel is published in the UK on 24th of August 2023 by Doubleday books

Kate Atkinson shows her versatility with this remarkable book of short stories.
The stories themselves are connected, sometimes very subtly, and follow her usual style of tremendous writing.
Not as emotionally involving as her novels, but a collection that the reader can either dip into or read in one sitting. I will warn you however that you will want to read these stories more than once.
Thank you to the author for many hours enjoyment and thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy for honest review.

Kate Atkinson's new short story collection 'Normal Rules Don't Apply' has range. There are gods making worlds, a mass killing void and a child snatching fairy-tale; these are set alongside a child mistreating their toys, a post menopausal woman exploring her sexuality and a minister's unfortunate secretary. Throughout there is Atkinson's sense of humour, often presented in wry asides. There is also her trademark love of more esoteric vocabulary.

I am a massive fan of Atkinson and so I was very excited to read this collection. They didn't disappoint. For me a measure of a good book is one where you want to get quickly to the end and then are sad that you have - and that was the case for me with this. My only gripe, and its a small one, was that there were a number of negative references to body shape and weight, which felt unnecessary and a bit old fashioned. However, this was not enough to reduce my rating from 5stars.

Normal Rules Don't Apply is a quirky collection of connected short stories. This is the world as we know it with more than a twist of magical realism, as Atkinson once again plays with her favourite themes of time and reality. Characters and motifs are woven somewhat haphazardly through these odd little stories, and while each alone has its own particular impact, it is strung together that they really come to life.

In many ways, it's reminiscent of Atkinson's last short story collection, Not the End of the World, and there is certainly a sense of some steps being retraced here. It's perhaps not one for readers who are new to Atkinson, but if you're already a fan, you're in for a treat.