Atonement - Ian McEwan

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Atonement - Ian McEwan

Overall rating (18): Overall user rating Atonement - Ian McEwan

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the eyes of the child

4 Jul 22nd, 2002

Advantages:
already considered a classic

Disadvantages:
sometimes you would like the story to move along at a quicker pace

Recommendable: Yes 

Detailed rating:

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Jonny_Narcissus

About me: Struggling songwriter.

Member since:10.12.2000

Reviews:38

Members who trust:7

Review rated by 14 Ciao members on average: helpful

Can you add to the overwhelming praise of this book?
Is it justified?
Well, maybe, and yes (in that order).
Booker Prize shortlisted, but unlike some, not up its own arse to be so.
Hugely popular with all critics, and sadly, I have to agree with them (against better nature)
Not quite the classic I was expecting, but possibly not my style of book, but the characters and story stayed with me, and I looked forward to picking it up again at each reading.
McEwans writing & storytelling tends to remind me a little of the Thomas Hardy books we did at school - maybe thats just the attention to period detail though.
Set just prior to the War, the story revolves entirely around a key moment of misunderstanding.
Almost like a Noel Coward play, or great British Farce, but with the comedy replaced by tragedy of epic Greek proportions.
I don't want to give away the plot here as my job is to review rather than retell. Suffice to say, poor boy loves rich girl (a la Lady Chatterley), a situation occurs, an oppurtunity taken by a malicious sub-character, and the misunderstanding of a minor leads to the casting of blame on an innocent party and gross miscarriage of justice.
You feel you want to step into the book shouting "no, no, that isn't what happened! can't you see?!".
Gradually, the truth unravels itself, but is it too late to atone for the suffering caused?

Throw away those tiresome lightweight Jane Austen novels all you Exam Boards!
This novel must surely become a classic of the English Literature syllabus of the future! 
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Comments about this review
darkangelwing

darkangelwing

22.04.2006 22:40

Good review man very well written and some fab. interesting opinion(-:

Elainebaba

Elainebaba

28.07.2002 22:43

I can see the love for books you love reading. Avril

Redhead

Redhead

22.07.2002 22:46

Sounds like a good book, I just need more hours in the day! Cheers Paula

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Atonement - Ian McEwan

Atonement -​ Ian McEwan

Pages: 384, Edition: New edition, Paperback, Vintage

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Atonement - Ian McEwan

Atonement -​ Ian McEwan

Pages: 384, Edition: New edition, Paperback, Vintage

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Atonement -​ Ian McEwan

Audio Cassette, HarperCollins Audio

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Atonement - McEwan, Ian York Notes on Atonement - Ian McEwan Atonement (Thorndike Basic) - Ian McEwan
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This review of Atonement - Ian McEwan has been rated:

"very helpful" by (36%):
  1. Elainebaba
  2. tomok
  3. Simmer
and 2 other members

"helpful" by (64%):
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  2. darkangelwing
  3. dujour
and 6 other members

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