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anka_not_anchor's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
One of the strangest books I’ve ever read. Never thought a story could be told so effectively by an unborn child! Very thrilling! Wasn’t a fan of the semi-transphobic rant midway through - there are a few sections in this book that feel totally unrelated to the plot and simply act as opportunities for McEwan to preach. Also - complete misunderstanding of the female body, as it is not possible for the baby in the mother’s stomach to feel the penis during sex, yet McEwan describes this happening, in unnecessary detail, MULTIPLE TIMES. An intriguing story but has weird sections I’d rather remove.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Transphobia
badmom's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Interesting narrative conceit (an unborn child aware of his mother & uncle’s murder plot) but beyond that and some occasional inspired bits of prose, it is overwrought (punch-in-the-face Hamlet & Macbeth references) and borderline ridiculous (this child’s awareness/understanding of a world he has literally never seen) in the unwinding. And the digs at transgender & nonbinary people were unnecessary + ugly.
I’ve enjoyed McEwan before, so this foray was extra disappointing.
I’ve enjoyed McEwan before, so this foray was extra disappointing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Infidelity, Murder, and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
ladysanctuary's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
1.5
A perfectly passable murder plot and a unique point of view character are about all this book has going for it. I found McEwan's constant polemics interminable and dull. Graphic sex scenes added to the challenge. At least it's short!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Islamophobia, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
demo's review
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Middle-aged white author disillusioned by post-structuralism makes an unborn foetus the obnoxious mouthpiece for his ill-conceived (pardon the pun) political gripes. These views might be forgivable coming from a foetus who, having never experienced the world first-hand, can be expected to get a few things muddled. McEwan, however, remains wilfully an asshole.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Islamophobia
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