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tbookworm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Genocide, Pedophilia, and Antisemitism
fruitea's review against another edition
2.0
ok this is a weird one because we actually read the ending chapters as a class but i wasn't paying attention so i've put it as dnf. sorry ms williams it was just infuriating to sit through nearly 2 hours of people reading aloud so monotonously and you never saw me playing solitaire on my phone anyway.
anyway. i did not like this book. evidently. the whole premise seemed so flimsy and i feel like briony'sstupidity ignorance was used as a plot device. besides, i'm sure there's more nuance to police investigations than taking the word of a thirteen year old as infallible. also she wasn't entirely truthful.
speaking of briony, she was so annoying. she never grew out of her immaturity, she always played the victim, never taking responsibility for her actions. i get that 13 years old is young to witness such a crime, but also at that age you know not to lie to the police about these things????????? she knew it herself??????? so what was the reason? because i never found any explanation for that. listen briony my dude, you made a mistake, you knew it was a mistake but still did it anyway, and then blame others for the consequences of your own actions. also, it's a pretty forgettable story except for those major plot points. like the middle of the book felt like filler, it didn't add much to the story. briony had no character development either. so basically it's not worth the read, watch the movie instead. keira knightley and james mcavoy redeem it.
anyway. i did not like this book. evidently. the whole premise seemed so flimsy and i feel like briony's
speaking of briony, she was so annoying. she never grew out of her immaturity, she always played the victim, never taking responsibility for her actions. i get that 13 years old is young to witness such a crime, but also at that age you know not to lie to the police about these things????????? she knew it herself??????? so what was the reason? because i never found any explanation for that. listen briony my dude, you made a mistake, you knew it was a mistake but still did it anyway, and then blame others for the consequences of your own actions. also, it's a pretty forgettable story except for those major plot points. like the middle of the book felt like filler, it didn't add much to the story. briony had no character development either. so basically it's not worth the read, watch the movie instead. keira knightley and james mcavoy redeem it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Rape
phantasyia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Dementia, Sexism, Violence, and Vomit
whatannikareads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i read this because i remember loving the movie when i was little but not remembering the entire plot, and it did not disappoint! ian mcewan's writing style is very pretty, although i did skim through some parts that felt like superfluous, flowery details. the plot twist made me gasp and i'm glad i didn't remember it. i love a not so happy ending. very much sucks you in. the emerald green dress cecilia wears is iconic!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Violence
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
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