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catherinecabbage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Rape
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Medical content, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Child death
damacyroll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The ending is definitely frustrating, but not all together a complete surprise. Much of Briony's viewpoints throughout the book are infuriating for one reason or another, and the epilogue was just another point on the list of why that is so. I found the way McEwan wrote Briony's thoughts and character to be one of the more intriguing points of the book but I still hate her.
Overall a good book in terms of prose and descriptions of WWII, but I would not recommend it to those who are looking for a satisfying romance that is all tied up at the end. I think I came in with expectations of a really satisfying romance after hearing so much about the movie, but was left wanting for more closure to Robbie and Cecilia's story which is why I rate it 3 stars.
Spoilers below!
I feel like it also calls into question the whole main theme of the novel. Briony never actually atones for what she did in any meaningful way, and instead continues to live on with the fantasies inside her head. In the end, she really never changed or grew from what she did when she was younger. Adult Briony has the capacity to make a mistake/crime of that severity all over again tbh.
Moderate: Rape
annylein's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, War, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape
jmkendall0218's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Rape
lily_eames's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Rape
bvrealis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Medical content and War
Minor: Classism, Gore, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Rape, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
sophie42's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Sexual assault, Medical content, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Grief, and Vomit
daffodilcherry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The narration by Josephine Bailey was delightful, she was amazing at changing her voice for character dialogue. My only gripe about this audio book was that the book was segmented by seemingly random paragraphs, instead of chapters or more logical sections, which made it a little difficult to find a good place to stop.
Graphic: War
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
isabeldel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Rape