On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of On Chesil Beach
Book Review: Excellent storytellling
Summary: 5 Stars
Anyone who has read a novel by Ian McEwan will not be surprised to discover that the language the author adopted to craft On Chesil Beach is flawless. Even as the prose urges the story forward, the reader is compelled to linger over the beautiful passages, the taut, lovely sentences and the crisp dialogue that mark McEwan as one of the master writers of our time. And, while each novel develops its own unique and curious plot, (consider the shocking end of Amsterdam or the bittersweet lesson at the heart of Atonement), each also shares a universal theme. McEwan's stories are all driven by the human desire to ponder the imponderable: "If only."
On Chesil Beach is no exception. The two main characters, Edward and Florence, are celebrating the evening of their marriage. The story begins on the night of their honeymoon, two virgins, each insecure in the knowledge of what will soon happen. Much of the novel lingers over their thoughts and anxieties, their memories and anticipation. By alternating their two perspectives, McEwan deftly captures the way our spoken words do not always accurately represent what it is we are struggling to communicate. While much of the book concerns this dance between meaning and misunderstanding, there is also action-action that has serious consequences. We glimpse the couples' past, present, and future, perfectly balanced on one moment of consummation.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of McEwan's writing is his ability to capture the nature of time. Like Proust, McEwan can examine a single moment, filling as many pages as a description of events that have passed over a period of twenty years. It is brilliant prose that conveys a poignant, heart-wrenching love story.
Armchair Interviews says: Read McEwan for both his wonderful stories and superb storytelling.
Book Review: Fails to deliver
Summary: 2 Stars
It seems McEwan had a great idea for a story -- young newlyweds on the night of their honeymoon, and an awkward attempt at consummating the marriage -- but developed writers block partway through penning the novel, and never fully materialized the rest of the book. Instead, he tried to develop the characters by providing inane, pointless back stories -- which added nothing to the overall story arc (or lack thereof), leaving the reader to not care about these emotionally vapid, two-dimensional characters.
If you are determined to read this one, spend an hour and a half reading it at your local library.
Book Review: Fascinating. Painful.
Summary: 5 Stars
Some 46 years ago (good Lord, I was alive then), we spoke so little about sex and ardor. Ian McEwan chooses this time to open up what is little more than an elongated story about lost love. Like much of his writing, "On Chesil Beach" brings us to a turning point... as one reviewer characterized it, a defining moment, upon which two lives turn.
In an awkward, painful pastiche of two young people on their honeymoon, McEwan takes the reader through the same experience from two different viewpoints. The span time of the core story is about three hours, and in those three hours, in this short vignette which starts with love and hope and ends with pain and hopelessness, McEwan once more, and beautifully, changes the way we think about sexuality. And because he needs so few words, and so little time to plant the seeds of "what might have been?" in the reader's mind, there is only one way to define this tale... it is masterful.
And painful. Keep that in mind if you decide to read it.
Book Review: Fine
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a love story where the love part is choked out by fate.
Book Review: Good short read
Summary: 4 Stars
Enjoyable short (200 pp) read. Well written. A good plane ride.
Not, of course, a classic. sad ending.