In Kate Atkinson’s book, ‘Life After Life’ the main character Ursula is allowed to relive her life, changing small moments, as if she was living a reincarnation of her life, as the same person, a life after life…

I started to read this book reluctantly as the theme caused me some discomfort. I thought about reliving the same life with small changes, with the same people, the same circumstances, and the same places and it was something that did not interest me. However, when I started reading the book it drew me in and I was curious to understand what would happen. There are many moments Ursula recognizes and understands she has lived, but as she is not sure she is filled with a ‘déjà vu’ feeling whilst living this life after life. Her personality does not change, or the people that surround her, but her circumstances change.

The romance questions and challenges us to think what makes a happy life. By painting this work, I thought what would happen if I could live the same life, what would change, what would happen… Would I have a better life? I do not know… No-one does…