On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of On Chesil Beach
Book Review: Artistic writing, intriguing story, but completely laborious to read
Summary: 3 Stars
The concept of this story is interesting, but I felt like I was trudging through mud to get through it. I like a story that keeps me captivated and I read to be entertained and informed. This book, like Atonement, has so much description that, in my opinion, it detracts from the flow of the story. The entire book takes place in less than a single day, if that helps explain what I mean about a lot of description and detail. That being said, however, it does offer a compelling insight into the human psyche. McEwan explores the depths (literally every step from the surface to the bottom) of the human mind and the feelings, fears and thoughts associated with "the" honeymoon night of a newlywed couple.
So depending on what you are looking for, you may or may not enjoy this book. If you want a great story, stay away, especially if you are looking for romance. If you are looking for pyschological stimulation and more artistic prose, this may be the book for you. I would say this book is interesting, just not really entertaining.
Book Review: BORING!!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
While very well written, this book was a total snooze. It took McEwan a very long time to get to the point, but then the story was rushed at the end.
Not recommended unless you have read this author before and enjoyed his work.
Book Review: Back to the Basics
Summary: 1 Stars
Let's be honest here. The guy can write and I am sure he portrays the characters beautifully with their insecurities around each other, yet their confidence when apart. However, come on. On their honeymoon, Edward, who obviously could not control himself, faulted with his wife Florence, who is disgusted by the act in itself which outlines her lack of confidence and her low self-esteem. Where is the story? She runs out after the incident and then admits her distaste in the ceremony of man and wife; then why get married? What else would you expect?! It's your honeymoon for crying out loud. Where's the love story when there is no love? She acted selfish and obviously didn't love him enough to give herself to him regardless of the sacred act. This book climaxed in the last 10 pages and was not worth the wait. I am sure this kind of stuff happens every day except the virgins are teenagers!Book Review: Beautiful and Devastating
Summary: 5 Stars
I read On Chesil Beach while on my honeymoon about a year and a half ago, and it still haunts me. I read it in one sitting while lying on the beach with my new husband sitting next to me staring off into space and ordering us cocktails. I'll be wanting to re-read this wonderful little book soon, I'm sure. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves serious literature. But be forewarned that you may find yourself tearing up by the end. As another reviewer noted, McEwen makes us all too aware of how close our couple's happiness was, and of how small acts and minor misunderstandings can have devastating, long lasting, and irreversible consequences.Book Review: Bittersweet tale, ultimately trite
Summary: 2 Stars
Ian McEwan set himself the writerly task of composing a novel whose entire action takes place in just a few hours and succeeded. However, along the way he failed to help the reader much care about the young couple whose lives turn on a dime on their honeymoon night. The characters are so two-dimensional that their cataclysm fails the believability test. No one THAT much in love could behave THAT stupidly.
McEwan is handy with a phrase, however vacuous the result. If you are fond of TV drama, this may just be your ticket, but life is short and there are more good books to read than you will ever have time to open.