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Rating: 
Summary: An audacious tour de force!
Review: Although Shakespeare's play is never referenced, the symbolism of the Forest of Arden in As You Like It (where identity is a game and relationships are as mutable as time) is clear in this witty, wise, confusing, magically realistic novel that reminds one of Mervin Peake's Gormenghast trilogy and of Jane Eyre simultaneously. This is without a doubt one of the best books I've read this year, for the story, the characters, and Atkinson's marvelously fluid writing style. If I sound like I'm trying to write a literary assessment of the book, it's because it extends into so many areas and dimensions, successfully and in an entertaining way.
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Summary: Linguistic & stylistic delights on every page
Review: Atkinson is an extremely witty and clever author. Every page (often every paragraph or sentence) contains something to wonder at, to laugh at, to be surprised at. I am a sucker for time travel novels and this had every appearance of being one -- but then it wasn't quite that at all. The ending left me a bit less satisfied than the first nine-tenths, but even so, I read it all hungrily and will read more of this literary author's work. I especially liked, as I usually do, that things don't always turn out happy and that people are mixed -- both good and something far different. Even if you ignore the larger themes about time and how our world operates, you can enjoy the story every page of the way.
Rating: 
Summary: A terrific writer with a tragic flaw
Review: I bought this book after reading Behind the Scenes at the Museum. I really like Kate Atkinsons writing style.This is a story of much complexity and I couldn't put it down. The story is about a 16 year old girl, Isobel Fairfax and her story is sad, humorous, disturbing and compelling. I was transfixed with genius of the writing. You are taken through the past and present and are never sure what is real and what is not but before the book ends you quickly drawn to the reality of it all. Finding the truth of what happened to Eliza, Isobels mother, is especially interesting. This book also goes into the world of all the people involved with Isobel. A lot going on here. It is in much the same style as Fall on Your Knees, by Ann-Marie Macdonald. Didn't give it 5 stars because I could have probably done without the Shakespeare part, but it was really a gread read!!!
Rating: 
Summary: the magical world's open
Review: I just can't stop read it! Isobel's live is so piercing and unbelievable that it's still a pleasure to leap from one page to another even if it's not the first time...
Rating:
Summary: Kate Atkinson is the jeweller of modern literature
Review: I started reading Human Croquet with a great sense of excitement (after all, I haven't read a good book since Behind the Scenes at the Museum). And Kate Atkinson certainly didn't disappoint me. Once more, she manages to play with dream and reality, past, present and future in an extraordinary exercise of style. The easiness with which she describes people, places and times as if she had the ability to cut out a slice of time for you is remarkable indeed. But above all, she manages to bring to life yet another truly great character. Isobel Fairfax is sensible, generous, she has a wonderful sense of humour and this amazing sense of reality whilst travelling through the magical depths of time. Although different from Ruby Lennox in Behind the Scenes at the Museum, Isobel displays the same essential characteristic; both are extremely lovable. Kate Atkinson makes you think with them, feel with them, and suddenly Ruby and Isobel become your friends. Ruby is a precious stone, Isobel is a beautiful pearl; Kate Atkinson has the gift of a jeweller to turn raw material into a magical sparkle of life. I can't wait for her next masterpiece!
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Summary: Creative, unusual, challenging -- WOW!
Review: Kate Atkinson has a quite unusual and creative style of writing. If you like very linear,unambiguous fiction, she is definitely not for you but if you are up for a challenging and extraordinary read, check this, her second novel, out. It's hard to describe "Human Croquet" without sounding unbearably pretentious or giving away too much of the plot. Simply put,"Human Croquet" is the story of Isobel Fairfax, a teenager growing up in northern England in the early 1960s -- but the book goes far beyond the traditional coming-of-age story, with its time-bending, imaginative plot. History is intermingled with the present, dreams with reality, and alternate realities are at war with what's actually happening in Isobel's life. The characters are vivid and real, the writing is funny and witty and fresh, and Isobel's story and voice grip you from the beginning. Thoroughly enjoyable, and well worth the trip.
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Summary: Original and consuming
Review: Kate Atkinson knows how to write a great book. Having read virtually thousands of novels during my seventeen years, I've grown increasingly frustrated with the "formula" writers who all sound exactly the same. Luckily, Ms. Atkinson has dared to break the mold. In this sparkling story, we are led through the fascinating mind of Isobel Fairfax, are introduced to her dysfunctional but enjoyable family, and an array of very human characters. The characters here are a little exaggerated, but Atkinson uses such brilliant imagery in her descriptions that we can easily forgive her. At the heart of the story is the mystery of Eliza, Isobel's mother, who disappeared years ago. Strange, inexplicable fluctuations in time slowly reveal more of the story behind the mystery as we are led into the past and through several different realities of the future. Following the time jumps can be confusing, but the patient reader will be rewarded in the end. I am a very critical reader, and I loved this book- so go read it!
Rating:
Summary: A very pleasing confusion
Review: The bits of this book narrated by 16 year old Isobel are terrific, I recommended it to all my friends who read "The Tooth Fairy" (I still haven't gotten my copy of that back it's so popular!). The humor, the rather forgiving cynicism, the detached outlook of a teenage outcast whose life has been in upheaval since she can remember, are all top-notch. Best yet, the kid is a voracious reader and her narratives are spiced with literary allusions and inside jokes. When her life starts to take on even more oddness -- dopplegangers, impossible mementos from her missing mother, momentary slips into other periods in time, she handles these aberrations with the same resigned humor. The only reason I don't give this book a five is that the narrative is too choppy and the plot threads too many. Maybe I just lack the subtlety and intelligence to see how all the bits fit together, but overall I wished she'd stayed with Isobel and let her tell her story in her own voice. Caveat emptor, also, it's a funny book but it's very dark, the teenage girl directly experiences or indirectly suffers the results of every sort of human abuse: rape, murder, incest, spouses killing each other, mother's abandoning children, men beating wives, adults beating children, you name it. I'm really looking forward to reading other works by Atkinson, and I guess that's the highest praise.
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Summary: better even than "behind the scenes"
Review: This book was lovely -- beautiful descriptions, fascinating characters and plot, and an intriguing first chapter that hooked me instantly. It doesn't quite fit into any category that I can think of . . . except that it is (and has been since I first read it) on the list of my favourite books of all time.
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Summary: Odd & Compelling
Review: This was one of the strangest books I've ever read and believe me,I read alot. 16 year old Isobel of Arden,England expriences a series of strange occurances surrounding herself and her dysfunctional family. The action goes back and forth,hence the title. As you continue reading you see why but I won't give away the ending(of course). Atkinson writes beautifully and really pulls you in with her words. Her characters are fully realized as well,human beings that are both ordinary and unusual at the same time. Not an "easy" read at times but well worth the effort..
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