Behind The Scenes At The Museum

To celebrate the 25th anniversary since its first publication, a new edition of Kate Atkinson's brilliant and unforgettable first novel, Behind the Scenes at the Museum, comes with an introduction by the author herself.

Ruby Lennox narrates her own story, rooted in the whimsical and often tumultuous lives of her family members. Ruby's existence is a reluctant by-product of her parents, Bunty and George. Conceived without enthusiasm and born during one of George’s frequent absences, Ruby enters the world under less-than-ideal circumstances. George's whereabouts at her birth epitomise his disengagement, as he was at the Dog and Hare in Doncaster, charming a woman in an emerald dress over a pint. Despite Bunty's clear distaste for her husband, she finds herself raising Ruby in the cramped quarters of a flat above a pet shop on an ancient street beneath the grandeur of York Minster. Ruby's siblings add to the chaos; Patricia, the sensible and sardonic eldest, Gillian, the middle child, whose demanding nature refuses to be ignored, and then Ruby herself.

Through Ruby's eyes, we are taken on a journey back in time to the end of the 19th century, where a travelling French photographer captures the fragile beauty of Alice, Ruby’s great-grandmother, and her children in a timeless snapshot. This imagery sets the stage for a sprawling family saga, wherein the lives of Ruby's ancestors and her own experiences are intricately woven together in a tapestry of poignant and humorous events.

Atkinson's narrative is as richly detailed as it is engaging, with every character brought to vivid life through her exceptional storytelling. The novel’s structure is equally compelling, interweaving historical flashbacks with Ruby’s contemporary life, creating a layered reading experience that captivates from start to finish.

Critics and readers alike have praised Behind the Scenes at the Museum for its wit and emotional depth. As Hilary Mantel praises, "Delivers its jokes and its tragedies as efficiently as Dickens... outrageously funny... will dazzle readers for years to come." The Daily Mail commends it, stating, "Little short of a masterpiece... Fizzing with wit and energy, Kate Atkinson's hilarious novel made me laugh and cry." The Times echoes this sentiment, noting, "An astounding book... without doubt one of the finest novels I have read for years."

This new edition not only celebrates the novel's enduring charm but also invites new readers to discover Ruby Lennox and her unforgettable family story, reaffirming Kate Atkinson's place among the literary greats with a narrative that remains as enchanting as it was upon its first publication.