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eliimellie26's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
4.75
A small glimpse into human morality.
popefacekillah's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
isabelle_warren's review
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
trickyn's review
dark
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
0.25
Very disturbing book full of disturbing short stories. I did not like it at all. I do not know why I kept reading. This was not for me at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Pedophilia, Incest, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse
Contains very disturbing content. I don't recommend this book.essjay1's review
3.0
I am sure this caused quite a stir on publication in the early 1970’s. I found it a bit repetitive toward the end of the collection but even in these first stories you can see the writer he will become.
constantlorelai's review
3.0
Sinister, troubling, and often times just plain sick. Personally, it's one of those times I just ended up hating the author for making such unpalatable characters feel almost endearing.
adiya's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I picked up this book to delve into short stories, especially after I appreciated Ian McEwan's Atonement. Little did I anticipate the intense nature of the short stories within this collection.
First Love, Last Rites, authored by Ian McEwan, consists of eight short stories, each in a profoundly dark tone. These tales delve into disturbing narratives, exploring themes of perversion and depravity that left me genuinely unsettled. While the writing style is undeniably beautiful, I wish I had been better prepared for the unsettling and eerie stories that awaited me.
Throughout the collection, the protagonists and narrators predominantly consist of young men, revealing their seemingly typical inclinations in thought and action. Female characters, while interesting, often serve as literary devices, existing to facilitate the development of male characters and plot progression. The stories unfold an eclectic and disconcerting range of sexual activities, coupled with a disturbing degree of animal cruelty. While McEwan attempts to elicit sympathy through backstory, it falls short of justifying the depicted behaviors.
The collection opens with "Solid Geometry," where an unhappily married man escapes to his study to peruse his great-grandfather’s diaries, revealing egotistical tendencies that shed light on the failing marriage. "Homemade" follows, narrated by a man reflecting on his adolescence and his intense, dark attempt to lose his virginity.
After reading these two tales, I had to set the book down and reflect on the disturbing undercurrents beneath the skillfully rendered prose.
"Last Day of Summer" introduces a twelve-year-old orphan living with his older brother, attempting to establish a small commune. The arrival of a new resident shifts the balance, and although tragic, the story carries less darkness.
"Cocker at the Theatre" takes aim at the pretensions of 'artistic' creators in a small theatre, questioning why actors agree to certain sexual exploits demanded by directors.
"Butterflies" returns to darkly disturbing territory, recounting the drowning of a ten-year-old girl and the suspicion falling on a young man who observed her last moments.
"Conversation with a Cupboard Man" features another misfit, revealing severe emotional abuse from his early years, striking a careful balance between sympathy and condemnation of anti-social behavior.
The titular tale, "First Love, Last Rites," focuses on a young man and his girlfriend living day by day, with sex as their primary focus. Their unmaintainable existence is metaphorically represented by a rat attracted to their flat.
The collection concludes with "Disguises," centered around a young orphaned boy taken in by his aging Aunt Mina, a failed actress. As Mina's demands turn physically abusive, the denouement is impressively foreshadowed but horrific.
While acknowledging the skillful writing, I cannot claim to have enjoyed these disturbing stories. The author's dark imagination prompted contemplation on the depths of some men's minds. Sex acts abound but lack broader pleasure, and matriarchal figures are seldom portrayed kindly.
First Love, Last Rites, authored by Ian McEwan, consists of eight short stories, each in a profoundly dark tone. These tales delve into disturbing narratives, exploring themes of perversion and depravity that left me genuinely unsettled. While the writing style is undeniably beautiful, I wish I had been better prepared for the unsettling and eerie stories that awaited me.
Throughout the collection, the protagonists and narrators predominantly consist of young men, revealing their seemingly typical inclinations in thought and action. Female characters, while interesting, often serve as literary devices, existing to facilitate the development of male characters and plot progression. The stories unfold an eclectic and disconcerting range of sexual activities, coupled with a disturbing degree of animal cruelty. While McEwan attempts to elicit sympathy through backstory, it falls short of justifying the depicted behaviors.
The collection opens with "Solid Geometry," where an unhappily married man escapes to his study to peruse his great-grandfather’s diaries, revealing egotistical tendencies that shed light on the failing marriage. "Homemade" follows, narrated by a man reflecting on his adolescence and his intense, dark attempt to lose his virginity.
After reading these two tales, I had to set the book down and reflect on the disturbing undercurrents beneath the skillfully rendered prose.
"Last Day of Summer" introduces a twelve-year-old orphan living with his older brother, attempting to establish a small commune. The arrival of a new resident shifts the balance, and although tragic, the story carries less darkness.
"Cocker at the Theatre" takes aim at the pretensions of 'artistic' creators in a small theatre, questioning why actors agree to certain sexual exploits demanded by directors.
"Butterflies" returns to darkly disturbing territory, recounting the drowning of a ten-year-old girl and the suspicion falling on a young man who observed her last moments.
"Conversation with a Cupboard Man" features another misfit, revealing severe emotional abuse from his early years, striking a careful balance between sympathy and condemnation of anti-social behavior.
The titular tale, "First Love, Last Rites," focuses on a young man and his girlfriend living day by day, with sex as their primary focus. Their unmaintainable existence is metaphorically represented by a rat attracted to their flat.
The collection concludes with "Disguises," centered around a young orphaned boy taken in by his aging Aunt Mina, a failed actress. As Mina's demands turn physically abusive, the denouement is impressively foreshadowed but horrific.
While acknowledging the skillful writing, I cannot claim to have enjoyed these disturbing stories. The author's dark imagination prompted contemplation on the depths of some men's minds. Sex acts abound but lack broader pleasure, and matriarchal figures are seldom portrayed kindly.
chuck9997's review
5.0
Physically revolting book
I confess to never once having bothered to read the summary of any book before picking it up, just vague recommendations from people whose reading choices I trust are more than enough, or an interesting title and cover. This book met the initial criteria and I expected sad, heartbreaking stories about love and loss, boy oh boy how wrong I was!
The 8 short stories in this book are directly focused on child abuse. Some being from POV of abuser, others from the victim’s. Reading the abuser’s POV makes you go numb, as vulnerable as the victim. All this is beautifully written. No moral reasoning is derived rather the saturated atmosphere around the events is explored. There is nothing in the book I want to hold on to. Done. Dusted. Glad that I picked it up. Packed and put away.
I confess to never once having bothered to read the summary of any book before picking it up, just vague recommendations from people whose reading choices I trust are more than enough, or an interesting title and cover. This book met the initial criteria and I expected sad, heartbreaking stories about love and loss, boy oh boy how wrong I was!
The 8 short stories in this book are directly focused on child abuse. Some being from POV of abuser, others from the victim’s. Reading the abuser’s POV makes you go numb, as vulnerable as the victim. All this is beautifully written. No moral reasoning is derived rather the saturated atmosphere around the events is explored. There is nothing in the book I want to hold on to. Done. Dusted. Glad that I picked it up. Packed and put away.