Normal Rules Don't Apply

This collection of eleven fabulous interconnected stories includes a queen who makes one too many promises; a man who bets on a horse who speaks to him; and a family who may have done-in its patriarch. All this against the backdrop of a world-changing event which inevitably, irrevocably, touches every life on the planet.

Each story focuses on a character dealing not only with the emerging situation, but with the events already unwinding in their lives. Kate Atkinson draws these characters with such richness and honesty, they feel familiar: friends, coworkers, and family. Funny and tragic.

This collection brings together eleven stories, some linked by shared characters or plot elements that connect the overlapping lives of the characters, ranging from apocalyptic science fiction, a fairy tale queen to a talking horse, which gives a winning betting tip to a racegoer, Franklin. In a later story, Franklin uses his winnings to buy an engagement ring before marrying Connie and moving into her wealthy parents’ home, where a surprising fate awaits him.

One of the pleasures is its intelligent, unforced humour, much coming from coincidences, observations, witty connections, and surprises. The stories are cleverly written, and the characters… show more.