The new book by "Life After Life" writer Atkinson takes place in the same fictional universe as "Life," following "Life" protagonist Ursula's brother Teddy. Teddy serves in World War II and returns home and he, his children, and his grandchildren live through the changes of the 20th century. Nelson notes that the book "plays with time ... but it doesn't have the gimmick [of 'Life After Life']," in which protagonist Ursula is continually reborn.
