Comments on things mean a lot: Atonement by Ian McEwan

Here's another book that I have but failed to ...

2010-09-05T12:20:25.076+01:00

Here's another book that I have but failed to read. I guess the day will come when my mood says OK, pick this up, Alice...

Kathleen: You're most welcome! I hope you'...

2010-09-02T20:37:04.878+01:00

Kathleen: You're most welcome! I hope you'll enjoy it - there's certainly plenty here even if you already know the story.

Care: Clearly I need to read On Chesil Beach soon!

Christy: It seems that many who were sceptical at first were convinced by the movie - I'll really have to watch it! And the Fowles thing is a reference to The French Leiutenent's Woman, a highly metafictional (and AWESOME) neo-Victorian novel. I can't go into detail without spoilers, so I just hope you'll read it :P

Rhinoa: It seems that liking this one but not his other books is pretty common. I wonder if it'll happen to me!

Staci: Do! It's a beautiful book.

Emidy: lol, I appreciate the trust :P

Naida: I hope you do!

Heidenkind: It did me too, but it's actually a lot more accessible than I thought! It grabbed me right away and I had a hard time putting it down.

She: Yeah, the book is pretty heartbreaking too :\

Jessica; I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

Lightheaded: I really ought to have listened to you sooner ;) And I promise I'll watch the movie soon!

Leeswammes: I'll try to get my hands on On Chesil Beach soon! I'm really looking forward to it.

Elise: I hope you enjoy it when you do :)

Emily: I think that if you love that, there's a fair change you'll love the book as a whole! It's one of the main themes.

Bina: Yes, exactly! Heart and mind. I thought it was so funny that the letter Briony gets about her writing commented on exactly the need to balance them both. Talk about meta :P

Jenners: I promise On Chesil Beach will be my next one!

Lua: He really does it remarkably well!

Dominique: Isn't the cover gorgeous? I love all those Vintage editions. And you put it perfectly here: "how she's too young to understand the consequences of her actions and a good person at heart, yet causes so much suffering really gives the novel an extra emotional layer." It's just heartbreaking.

Boof: I haven't seen the film, but after all the comments I'll be sure to!

Stephanie: I'm glad to hear that wasn't completely left out of the movie like I feared!

Christina: He really, really does. She's a great character - she does something terrible, but she's just so human that you can't NOT feel for her.

Avid Reader: I really look forward to reading more of his books. I think I'll like his style a lot.

Jen: I tend to distrust my younger self too :P

Melody, thank you for clearing that up! I promise ...

2010-08-30T22:27:00.397+01:00

Melody, thank you for clearing that up! I promise I will give the movie a try at some point :)

Jessica: Judging by the comments, his writing seems to be of the love it or hate it kind. I personally loved it, but I can see how others wouldn't.

Lu: I can't wait to read On Chesil Beach!

Fiona: Another vote for the movie! I'm very very curious to see it after all the endorsements from fans of the book.

Jodie: "the slight disrepair of the house, which is a lovely kind of foreshadowing of the age in itself and the family and the class situation" --> Yes! I absolutely loved this. I didn't feel manipulated by the tone, but I can see how others might. Whatever McEwan was doing, it completely worked on me. And yes, I found that devastating too :( And hmm... I wonder how I'll feel about that aspect of On Chesil Beach.

Simon: On Chesil Beach really does seem to divide opinions! I can't wait to find out on which camp I'll fall.

Sakura: I hope you enjoy your re-read! And I can't wait to watch the movie.

Clare: Yes, the details were absolutely wonderful! And the writing. And everything. I kind of want to read it again already.

Debi, I honestly didn't expect to like it nearly as much as I did!

Claire: I understand how forgiving Briony might be hard considering how much damage she caused, but my heart really broke for her. She was so young! And she wasn't at all aware that class privilege put her in a position of power. None of this excuses what happened, of course, but it makes me feel horrible for everyone involved :\

Jeanne: I'm glad to hear you love the movie - judging by everyone's comments, it sounds like a successful adaptation of a book that isn't all that easy to adapt. Anyway, I think you'll really enjoy the metafictional aspect of the book.

Elisabeth: I will read On Chesil Beach next for sure. And I hope you have more luck with this when you try again!

Amanda: At least you have Amy and Trisha :P

Meghan: There are many books of his I'm curious about, but as On Chesil Beach is so short I might as well try it next :P

Amy: You, Amanda and Trisha :P

Jill: Aww, poor Briony! As I was telling Claire, I felt horrible for her.

Kate: Amsterdam is on my list as well, though like On Chesil Beach it seems to divine opinions! I'm happy to hear McEwan is so versatile. I really admire that in an author.

Trisha: You, Amy and Amanda need to start a support group ;) But seriously now, I do understand the frustration!

Jenny: Normally I am too, but I open an exception on his case and Byatt's (he really did remind me of her for some reason). Their highly elaborate style just works for me for whatever reason.

Zibille: If I'd known this was your favourite I'd have read it sooner! And I really need to give the movie a try.

Amy: Yes, normally I also like to leave a good interval between the movie and the book, or the other way around.

Emily: I can think of very few books that combine those two things as successfully as Atonement! A narrative this meta runs the risk of losing its emotional power and becoming a bit too clever for its own good, but this doesn't at all. Like you said, it's so much more than just a trick.

Shelley: I wondered the same, but it seems that many fans of the book love the movie too!

Joan Hunter Dunn: I will, and hopefully before too long! It's interesting how the order in which you read the book or watch the movie can affect your reaction. I've certainly seen that happen too.

Emily Jane: I'm happy not to be the only latecomer, at least :P

I honestly don't remember much about this book...

2010-08-30T20:29:16.082+01:00

I honestly don't remember much about this book but I know I didn't enjoy it when I first read it. I'm sure my opinion would be different now as it's been nearly 8 or 9 years since I read it.

This is such a luscious story. I read it back in 2...

2010-08-30T16:02:44.994+01:00

This is such a luscious story. I read it back in 2003, before the movie and I just loved it. I've read most of McEwan's books since then and he has such a fascinating style.

Oh Ana, I absolutely loved this book. In fact, if...

2010-08-29T19:59:27.183+01:00

Oh Ana, I absolutely loved this book. In fact, if I had ever thought I would change my mind and have children I would name my girl Briony. I think that Atonement truly captures the innocent, immaturity, and self-centeredness of a young tween. The characters had incredible depth.

Unfortunately I havent read anything else by him. Even though I have a couple on my shelf.

I haven't read this, though I was very impress...

2010-08-29T18:39:32.990+01:00

I haven't read this, though I was very impressed with the movie adaptation. I liked the metafictional aspect, too.

It's about 7 years since I read this, Ana, but...

2010-08-29T15:38:30.069+01:00

It's about 7 years since I read this, Ana, but I did love it. Have you seen the film yet? I really enjoyed it - I thought it was done really well and captured how I felt about the book.

I love the edition you've pictured here! I ado...

2010-08-29T10:09:07.430+01:00

I love the edition you've pictured here!
I adored Atonement, totally agree about the wonderful metafictional aspect. I think Briony's view of "herself as the star of a drama - her play being performed at last - and everyone else as her satellite" and how relatable and ordinary this is for a thirteen year old girl heightens the tragedy of the novel. And how she's too young to understand the consequences of her actions and a good person at heart, yet causes so much suffering really gives the novel an extra emotional layer.

I loved this book! Especially because of that thir...

2010-08-29T08:46:32.536+01:00

I loved this book! Especially because of that third part and the “John Fowles” maneuver which is, like you said, not an easy thing to do. But McEvan does it very well. Excellent characterization and the multiple point of views don’t confuse you like it does in many books who try to pull this off… Thank you for the great review :)

I've read about 5 McEwan books and "On Ch...

2010-08-29T01:34:14.717+01:00

I've read about 5 McEwan books and "On Chesil Beach" was my favorite of all of them ... even more so than Atonement. I would recommend it for your next McEwan. (And I'd stay away from "Black Dogs" ...but that might just be me.)

I loved how McEwan slips the "twist" in there at the end ... I had to literally stop and reread it to make sure I got it. I was like "Whhhaaaaa????" Made me go back and rethink the whole thing. Loved that aspect of it.

Glad you loved this book, Ana! I was so happy to f...

2010-08-28T18:20:45.981+01:00

Glad you loved this book, Ana! I was so happy to find a novel that could deal with narrativity and at the same time not forget the characters and feelings. Heart and mind basically, I often find that in postmodern lit these seem to be exclusive.

I think the movie can stand well on its own, it's a beautiful piece of cinematography and does justice to the story as well.

I actually didn't enjoy On Chesil Beach that much, but I think most people did. I just couldn't conncect with the characters. Have to read his Saturday for a class next semester though, so I hope I'll become a fan yet :)

Your reviews always make me want to read books I m...

2010-08-28T18:16:02.431+01:00

Your reviews always make me want to read books I might not have otherwise picked up!

In other news, I LOVE this: "We tell stories because they help us realise that everyone else is as real as we are – that there are countless other lives, other mindsets, other selves out there in the world."

I have been trying to read this book for years!! I...

2010-08-28T09:53:23.230+01:00

I have been trying to read this book for years!! I'm sure I will get there one day!!

I'm also one of those that didn't enjoy th...

2010-08-28T09:47:16.932+01:00

I'm also one of those that didn't enjoy the book much. It was too slow going for me, and I just didn't like the subject of the book. It didn't keep my interest.

On the other hand, On Chesil Beach is a perfect little story about two newly weds. Definitely a book to read next, Nymeth!

I'm glad you loved your first foray into McEwa...

2010-08-28T07:28:01.516+01:00

I'm glad you loved your first foray into McEwan's twisted, heart-wrenching world :) Four books down and yet I can't let go of the fact that he's out there to screw my brains :)

The film is a beautiful adaptation. Up to now I can hear the tap-tap-tap-tapping of the typewriter keys when I picture Briony. But yes, that sense of writing, of enjoying the novel for what it is is hard to capture. Though I must say that the film is a good adaptation of a great book.

I've had this book on the TBR shelf for severa...

2010-08-28T05:20:15.665+01:00

I've had this book on the TBR shelf for several years. Your review has inspired me to move it up the queue a bit. I love Ian McEwan.

I saw (and loved) the movie version of this, but i...

2010-08-28T04:01:08.710+01:00

I saw (and loved) the movie version of this, but it was so so so so so sad that I can't bring myself to read the book. I can't even watch the movie again!

This book intimidates me.

2010-08-28T03:22:10.713+01:00

This book intimidates me.

Great review as always nymeth. Glad to hear you en...

2010-08-28T00:24:28.005+01:00

Great review as always nymeth. Glad to hear you enjoyed it, I want to read this one.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

I've had this book in the back of my mind for ...

2010-08-27T23:09:50.910+01:00

I've had this book in the back of my mind for a while now. I never quite knew what it was about, so I'm glad to hear that you liked it! It must be good, then. Fabulous review!

I watched the movie and liked it for the most part...

2010-08-27T20:46:21.939+01:00

I watched the movie and liked it for the most part. I would be willing to give this book a try sometime.

Glad you liked it. I didn't really think much ...

2010-08-27T18:49:53.097+01:00

Glad you liked it. I didn't really think much of the film or another book of his I read. Might give it a try at some point but not in any rush to do so.

Oh, I forgot to ask, what is 'pulling a John F...

2010-08-27T18:49:06.392+01:00

Oh, I forgot to ask, what is 'pulling a John Fowles'?

I read Atonement in 2006 and was quite blown away ...

2010-08-27T18:47:25.629+01:00

I read Atonement in 2006 and was quite blown away by it - especially how McEwan captures the psychological detail. Possible side note of interest: I read Kite Runner soon after reading Atonement, and due to similar themes, Kite Runner suffered in comparison to the better written Atonement.

I love the film adaptation though I had been skeptical about how such a book could be adapted. There are differences of course between book and film. I think that the film is harsher with Briony. In the book, she is allowed to be loved and have a life in her older years. In the film, she is a much starker, lonelier figure. Still, the film is gorgeous in its own right, and really nails some aspects and themes of the book.