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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
It was hard for me to get into at first, but once I got past the first few chapters (and left the book alone for several months), I finished it in two days. Very moving and powerful. Made my heart hurt.
Brilliantly characterised and I’m just glad I don’t dislike everything written by McEwan
emotional
reflective
sad
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
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The "Atonement" film inclined me to raise my rating of the novel from 3 to 4 stars (perhaps a rare instance where it's better to watch the movie before reading the book?). It stays quite true to the book, down to a bee buzzing by the window, and is artfully done: the repeated typewriter sound, Briony's never-changing hairstyle, and Cecilia's iconic green dress. Not to turn this into a movie review, but it really brought out the questions that McEwan wanted his readers to ponder and rationalized him setting the story during wartime.
The novel itself has beautiful writing that really captures a hazy and critical memory (though it teeters on purple prose). I would have, however, liked to know more about the direct aftermath of the incident, and whether Briony felt the consequences of her act "Atonement" prompted debates on seeing vs. believing, classicism, and questions like: Is it wrong to blame Briony considering she was just a child? Was it more than an overactive imagination that motivated her - jealousy? Did she subconsciously absorb the suspicions and resentment that her family (besides her father) harbored for Robbie? Are passive characters like her mother, Lola, or even Cecilia, equally guilty for Robbie's fate? When is it too late to make amends? Is justice worth bringing up old matters if doing so would ruin the peace of innocent people? Did Briony ever atone for her lie? The execution of the twist and the use of an unreliable narrator play with the readers' emotions and I definitely admire McEwan for his experimental writing! That's what artists do. Anything that can leave me thinking and debating like that deserves at least 4 stars.
The novel itself has beautiful writing that really captures a hazy and critical memory (though it teeters on purple prose). I would have, however, liked to know more about the direct aftermath of the incident, and whether Briony felt the consequences of her act
Spoiler
such as her sister leaving, as well as how their lives were transformed by the onset of the war. I also wondered why Cecilia never doubted Robbie's innocence even once, considering she resented him just earlier that day -- Love is blind? As for Cecilia's mother, I could understand if the reason for her passivity was maybe dislike of Robbie beforehand, but where was Cecilia's father ("Old Man") who supported Robbie in his education?Spoiler
ie. Was justice for Robbie worth ruining Lola's marriage?Spoiler
ie. Was rewriting Cecilia and Robbie's story an act of selfishness or did it redeem Briony?Spoiler
(I was heartbroken that even Cecilia and Robbie never found out who the culprit was, because the truth died with Briony)
This book was an interesting read!
This book has heavy and complex themes, and it deals with them well! Love, war, guilt and the need for forgiveness are all elements of this text that stand out to me as memorable and heartbreaking. A devastating novel that leaves you feeling lost and empty, I would recommend reading this.
I only gave it 4 stars as I found the book did drag a little bit for me. The concept was overall good, and I think if I was in a different mindset I would have enjoyed the tone and pacing more. Nevertheless, i would still recommend this book!
This book has heavy and complex themes, and it deals with them well! Love, war, guilt and the need for forgiveness are all elements of this text that stand out to me as memorable and heartbreaking. A devastating novel that leaves you feeling lost and empty, I would recommend reading this.
I only gave it 4 stars as I found the book did drag a little bit for me. The concept was overall good, and I think if I was in a different mindset I would have enjoyed the tone and pacing more. Nevertheless, i would still recommend this book!
This took me a while to get into because of how densely it is written. But my god what a book. The pace ended up being perfect. And the characterization was phenomenal.
Moral of the story: children need to stay out of grown folks business.
Just kidding… sorta.
Moral of the story: children need to stay out of grown folks business.
Just kidding… sorta.
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced