Atonement by Ian Mcewan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Atonement
Book Review: Absorbing, moving story
Summary: 5 Stars
I couldn't put this novel down and read it in two sittings. Of the books I've read in the past few months, this is my favorite. The characters are extremely well-developed, and the plot is engaging and deeply moving. I'm eager to read more by this writer who was new to me.Book Review: So boring!
Summary: 2 Stars
I really thought this book was extremely boring. Moved way too slowly and there was honestly nothing in this book that made me WANT to finish it. I would not recommend this book unless you need something to help put you to sleep every night.Book Review: Boring beyond belief
Summary: 1 Stars
I'm no stranger to long, involved novels; as a matter of fact most of my favorites are 400+ pages with plots so multi-layered and characters so complex you'll need to take notes just to keep up. Although the genre I read the most is `mysteries,' I'm not wedded to just one type of book so, tried "Atonement" mostly due to all the hype.
The first half or so of the book seemed alright--I wasn't keen on the paragraph-long sentences and the overwrought descriptions of just about everything, but not a big deal; figured I could live with it. However, when I reached Part II (Robbie's Dunkirk exploits), that's when it became a struggle for me to even continue. Nothing so far had impressed me, but as I've experienced many times before, there are authors who will work the reader hard, but the payoff will be worth it. So onward I went to ---- what? The most inane denouement I've ever read. I actually felt cheated and this is a feeling I don't often get with my reading. And this is the twist/ending that practically everyone was saying was brilliant?! I actually re-read the last section just to make sure I didn't miss anything; perhaps some nuance that slipped by me, etc. Nope. Read everything, understood everything, and still felt cheated. Deflated doesn't even come close to describing what I felt.
Those greater than I, I'm sure, will be eager to comment on what a nitwit I am for "not getting IT," it being what the rest of the civilized world gets and Philistines like me don't. So be it, I welcome whatever comes with graciousness, but stand by my one-star review.
Book Review: dense with thought and imagery, sensually textured
Summary: 5 Stars
Ian McEwan's absorbing novel will transport the reader quickly into the world of 13 year old Briony Tallis and the people who surround her. The first part of the book lyrically describes a lost world, pre-WW II Britain, and the privileged life of the Tallises. We are transported into the rich inner world of Briony as we glide through her acute perceptions and fanciful imaginings.
The second part of the book, containing graphic descriptions of a brutal war, is rather rough going. As a mother, I found myself identifying with Briony's mother, Emily, whose life was devoted to protecting and nourishing her offspring; and then, contrasting Emily's constant attending, multi-tasking, balancing often conflicting motives among her children---to the merciless scenes of destruction and death during WWII.
The central theme is Briony's misunderstanding of two encounters between her older sister, Cecilia, and Robbie Turner, and the disaster this brings upon them. Despite the serious repercussions, this misunderstanding could be viewed on one level as a slender thread upon which to hang a novel. McEwan's masterful presentation of inner and outer realities, and his depiction of a long-ago time with its pleasures and horrors, elevates his tale into an artful endeavor to be savored.
Book Review: Good One
Summary: 4 Stars
This is not they type book I normally read, however, I enjoyed it. I found part one very slow. This was building up the characters and their history. This may just be the author's style. The second half of the book was more engaging. Overall, it is a great story.