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missbear's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
There's a lot to cover here. I didn't really know this when I started reading this novel, but since I finished it, I've learned that Ian McEwan is a quite controversial author, who frequently writes about "dark" and "shocking" themes. And of course, this book is a controversial book, whether due to pacing or the plot (or lack thereof) or the post-modern metafiction elements. If I had known this, I think I would have been more skeptical. Basically, this book combines one set of controversial things that I tend to really like (bring on the "pretentious" writing, the prickly characters, the metafiction! I adored Possession, after all) and another set that I really don't (spare me the "oh my! Can you imagine how horrible it would be if this extremely unlikely series of events occurred? Shocking!" plot here. I read enough Jodi Picoult as a teenager.)
Because I really had no complaints at all about a strangely paced book about Briony's internal angst and development as a writer. But I have a lot of complaints about a book whose plot is primarily shock value and the characters need to act in completely absurd ways in order to create such an extremely unlikely scenario (for example, everything that Cecilia does). And, if I'm honest, some serious ethical qualms about the themes explored here. Is it wrong to write a novel about the tragedy of a false rape accusation? No, not in itself. Is it wrong to write a novel which mocks the child victim of the actual, not-fake rape that takes place and recasts the true villain and victim of the story as the accuser and accused, rather than the rapist and victim? I kind of think it is. If Ian McEwan wanted to write a book about false rape accusations without having to deal with the messy results of actual rape, I'm not sure why he chose to write an actual rape scene into the book in the first place — except for shock value, right?
All in all, this ended up leaving a bad taste in my mouth, even though there were elements of it that I was really interested by. I don't think I'll be seeking out more Ian McEwan.
Because I really had no complaints at all about a strangely paced book about Briony's internal angst and development as a writer. But I have a lot of complaints about a book whose plot is primarily shock value and the characters need to act in completely absurd ways in order to create such an extremely unlikely scenario (for example, everything that Cecilia does). And, if I'm honest, some serious ethical qualms about the themes explored here. Is it wrong to write a novel about the tragedy of a false rape accusation? No, not in itself. Is it wrong to write a novel which mocks the child victim of the actual, not-fake rape that takes place and recasts the true villain and victim of the story as the accuser and accused, rather than the rapist and victim? I kind of think it is. If Ian McEwan wanted to write a book about false rape accusations without having to deal with the messy results of actual rape, I'm not sure why he chose to write an actual rape scene into the book in the first place — except for shock value, right?
All in all, this ended up leaving a bad taste in my mouth, even though there were elements of it that I was really interested by. I don't think I'll be seeking out more Ian McEwan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Rape
beloved_bridget's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I have to stop reading reviews, they made me very scared to read this book. A friend recommended this book to me, and I'm glad I gave it a chance. the first half was a bit weird, I am really not a fan of how the romance between robbie and cecilia was presented. I felt that I wasn't supposed to root for them, and felt very disoriented with the major jump-cut to WWII and we're just supposed to believe that their romance is perfect. even before that, I just didn't really feel that cecilia's feelings for robbie made sense.
I was really surprised that the second half of the book was dedicated to the war, felt like I was reading a completely different book. it was still a good book, but felt that the second half was very disconnected from the first.
overall, the language can sometimes feel a little much at times, like he's writing just for the sake of writing. but I really liked it
I was really surprised that the second half of the book was dedicated to the war, felt like I was reading a completely different book. it was still a good book, but felt that the second half was very disconnected from the first.
overall, the language can sometimes feel a little much at times, like he's writing just for the sake of writing. but I really liked it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, Gore, and Death
jnnrss's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
ogeppel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and War
Moderate: Rape
anushareflects's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
greads2's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a beautifully written book that paints vivid imagery of the main character's imagination and thoughts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
taite_tries's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First part is fascinating and a joy to read, the last two thirds really drag on
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
laurakelly_mp3's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
cursed_sapphire's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
A pointless and pretentious piece of nothing that spends more time describing a vase then having a good theme, character, or even a real plot. Could not recommend less.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, War, and Pedophilia
alw1030's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Rape