Atonement by Ian McEwan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Atonement
Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
"Atonement" is almost precious in the telling, rather like one of young Briony's stories. The World War II saga, of course, ends up being the story of Briony, though that becomes clear only gradually as the novel advances. It is engrossing, marvelously written and dusted with a sharp realism that makes it one of the most moving and transcendant books I've read in a long while.
Book Review: Excruciatingly long-winded
Summary: 3 Stars
I thought the story was good, but it could have been accomplished in about half the pages. When I read a book, I read and read and read until it is finished. I read the last Harry Potter book in three days, and it only took that long because I had to take care of my three kids. It took me nearly three MONTHS to finish this book. The first half, the majority of which was written through the perspective of Briony, was excruciating. I understand that it was supposed to be the dreamy, imaginative thoughts of her character, but really....it was simply painful to read and pointless. The rest of the character perspectives were so much better. And as far as the ending, I'm still not entirely sure what really happened?!?!?Book Review: Falls Short of Its Potential
Summary: 3 Stars
Although I was tempted to just see the movie, I picked up the book Atonement instead, reminding myself that the book is nearly always better than the movie. Now I'm curious, wondering whether the movie has corrected the book's faults. It started off so well: a good concept, a main character with good potential, and an engaging, beautifully written first section. But by the second section, I had to force myself to keep reading, wondering why people thought the book was good enough to be made into a movie. When I got to the war section, I started speed reading. I still don't know what the war section had to do with Robbie's character development or the plot development. After that, I just jumped ahead to the predictable ending (something I never do...but even the speed reading was putting me to sleep...). I wish McEwan had developed Lola's and Paul's characters more--what reaction are we supposed to have at their wedding? Why does Briony first become a nurse instead of a writer? We are led toward visions of her attending an MFA program or at least getting an internship at a magazine. Although the ending is poetically correct, it's not very satisfying. I'll think I'll wait until the movie comes out on DVD (at the library) to find out if it is a more satisfying story than the book was. This book was quite a surprising disappointment.Book Review: Forgiveness for the children
Summary: 5 Stars
Ian McEwan has crafted a beautiful story around a simple mistake that changes three people's lives forever. Broiny Tallis, through her artistric personaltiy and eye's interpret's something beautiful the wrong way, and turns it into to a tale of hert ache and the search for forgivness. But can Robbie and Ceceilia forgive her? It's a moving a lovely read, definatly worth you'r time!Book Review: Gift
Summary: 1 Stars
Gave as a gift, she told me she tried to get into it but it was too slow. Passed it along,