Reviews - Atonement | The StoryGraph

7.01k reviews for:

Atonement

Ian McEwan

3.92 AVERAGE

jane_the_gemini's review against another edition

2.0

challenging 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

nadiabacha's review against another edition

3.0

I loved this book, I really did, and the author's writing style was superb. But it moved along so... slowly. It took me about 5 months to finish the novel because there was just so much description.

billybmorrell's review against another edition

3.5

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

On one hand, a book has never filled me with such complete and utter vitriol. I have never despised an ending as much as I did the ending of this book. On the other hand, the passion it instilled upon me is unlike anything felt towards another piece of media. My eyes light up as if I were a bull seeing red at even the briefest mention of the novel or McEwan.

There are many flaws with this novel, even if lots of them feel intentional. Yes, Briony is very annoying and dislikeable. Yes, the ending makes me want to claw my eyes out and never read again. But ultimately, I think it's really important to have these feelings implored upon a reader by a book, because being challenged is the fundamental thing literature should do.

My biggest issue with Atonoment, however, is a question posed to me when discussing it with my girlfriend. Was there really a need for another piece of media revolving around a fictitious false allegation that ruined a man's life?

thamera's review against another edition

4.0

The reason I decided to read this was because of James McAvoy and Kiera Knightley since she's one of my favourite actresses. The movie is sublime so I was expecting this of the book as well. Although the book deals with challenging themes like atonement and guilt the prose was too long and felt too purple. If this book was shortened with less flowery prose this book would have been a new favourite. Overall, a great story that influenced a beautiful movie. The concept of this novel was absolutely one of the most interesting plots I've heard in a while but the writing weighed it down.

jamie_reads_stuff's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 54%

Meh couldnt get into it

mila_roseee08's review against another edition

5.0

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Atonement by Ian McEwan is one of the most beautiful books ever like it ruins u but in the best way it builds an entire world out of guilt and the way one single choice can wreck not just a life but generations, and the WRITING??!! It’s insane. Every sentence feels like it’s balancing on glass I don’t even care if you like historical or novels or drama or whatever this book is ALL of that but also NONE, it’s just about being human. And the ending?? The ending will punch you in the chest and then kiss ur forehead and then slap you again! If you want to feel cracked open and rearranged you NEED to read it.