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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
‘As far as she was concerned, everything fitted; the terrible present fulfilled the recent past.’
On a hot summer day in 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis makes a mistake. Her mistake has far reaching consequences for several characters, including Briony herself. But it is not Briony I feel sorry for as the story unfolds. Yes, I can accept that Briony’s initial accusation was based on misunderstanding, fuelled by a flair for dramatic storytelling, but her subsequent inaction ruined lives.
A brief outline:
The story itself unfolds over three parts, and a coda.
In Part One, Briony’s family is preparing for a party. Briony observes her older sister Cecelia and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant, by the pool. A later interaction between Cecelia and Robbie together with a note, fuel Briony’s misperception. This part of the story unfolds slowly, interspersed with family drama as Briony’s twin cousins Jackson and Pierrot Quincey go missing. Their sister Lola is among those searching for them, as is Robbie. Lola is attacked. Robbie is accused and arrested.
In Part Two, having served time in prison for a crime he did not commit, Robbie enlists in the British Army. He serves in France. Robbie and Cecelia, who has trained as a nurse, have remained in contact. Briony, haunted by guilt, decides to train as a nurse. The Tallis family has fractured since the events of 1935: everyone involved has suffered. Briony’s attempt to (finally) tell the truth can change nothing of consequence.
In Part Three, Briony reflects on the consequence of her actions. There’s more to it of course.
‘She was calm as she considered what she had to do. […] She knew what was required of her. Not simply a letter, but a new draft, an atonement, and she was ready to begin.’
And then there is the coda, set in 1999 when Briony is aged seventy-seven. Can there really be a happy ending to this sad story of false accusation and misunderstanding? Can people forgive the destruction of their hopes and the derailing of their lives? Can Briony ever move beyond the actions of her thirteen-year-old self?
I finish reading, reluctant to leave the story behind. A complex story brilliantly told.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
On a hot summer day in 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis makes a mistake. Her mistake has far reaching consequences for several characters, including Briony herself. But it is not Briony I feel sorry for as the story unfolds. Yes, I can accept that Briony’s initial accusation was based on misunderstanding, fuelled by a flair for dramatic storytelling, but her subsequent inaction ruined lives.
A brief outline:
The story itself unfolds over three parts, and a coda.
In Part One, Briony’s family is preparing for a party. Briony observes her older sister Cecelia and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant, by the pool. A later interaction between Cecelia and Robbie together with a note, fuel Briony’s misperception. This part of the story unfolds slowly, interspersed with family drama as Briony’s twin cousins Jackson and Pierrot Quincey go missing. Their sister Lola is among those searching for them, as is Robbie. Lola is attacked. Robbie is accused and arrested.
In Part Two, having served time in prison for a crime he did not commit, Robbie enlists in the British Army. He serves in France. Robbie and Cecelia, who has trained as a nurse, have remained in contact. Briony, haunted by guilt, decides to train as a nurse. The Tallis family has fractured since the events of 1935: everyone involved has suffered. Briony’s attempt to (finally) tell the truth can change nothing of consequence.
In Part Three, Briony reflects on the consequence of her actions. There’s more to it of course.
‘She was calm as she considered what she had to do. […] She knew what was required of her. Not simply a letter, but a new draft, an atonement, and she was ready to begin.’
And then there is the coda, set in 1999 when Briony is aged seventy-seven. Can there really be a happy ending to this sad story of false accusation and misunderstanding? Can people forgive the destruction of their hopes and the derailing of their lives? Can Briony ever move beyond the actions of her thirteen-year-old self?
I finish reading, reluctant to leave the story behind. A complex story brilliantly told.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
One of those *very* rare occasions when actually the film is better. A lot of literary merit, but a very slow plot. The film caters to all the action and story progression with a lot less of the streams of consciousness from the narrative voice. Perfect for analysing but not one you find hard to put down.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Started out pretty slow. First 75 pages dragged a bit. But after that, the story picked up pace. Beautifully written and riveting.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had this on my TBR for so many years and I finally got to it. And I kind of wished I hadn’t read it in the summer. I appreciate the craft that was rendered but this book is deeply depressing and I found huge swaths to be profoundly boring. Beautiful writing just isn’t enough for me to love a book. I don’t regret reading it but am glad it’s behind me.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
sad
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes