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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a page turner from the get go. I love Ian McEwan and I was so glad that this book lived up to the high standards I now expect of him and didn’t disappoint.
Trudy is cheating on her husband with his brother. The two of them have a plan, but it’s not so secret…
Told from the perspective of Trudy’s unborn foetus, this was a fabulous mystery, it was truly unique and unparalleled with anything I’ve read before. Fantastic read, everyone should give it a go
Trudy is cheating on her husband with his brother. The two of them have a plan, but it’s not so secret…
Told from the perspective of Trudy’s unborn foetus, this was a fabulous mystery, it was truly unique and unparalleled with anything I’ve read before. Fantastic read, everyone should give it a go
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hilarious
I actually have quite a few issues with this book (content, writing style, characters) and I'm gonna write a review soon when I have more time.
On my second read, I realized the true genius of this book. It is best suited for a reader who is already a fan of Hamlet. Hamlet purists may find fault with the narrative but if you can suspend disbelief for a moment, you’ll enjoy it. You definitely don’t have to have read Hamlet in order to follow the plot but I do think some familiarity with the original text allows for maximum appreciation/enjoyment. McEwan really did the damn thing with this reimagining.
Did I find the obnoxiously twee fetus POV somewhat annoying? Sure. But did I keep reading to pick out, & relish in, how Ian McEwan turned lines from Hamlet to his own purposes? Of course!
reflective
tense
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
Highly original story told from the point of view of an unborn fetus. The story springs forth from the opening quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet:
Oh God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of an infinite space - were it not that I have bad dreams.
The fetus/nutshell narrates the story in McEwan's typically s beautiful prose, and you are hooked. A bit unwieldy at times, but overall a highly enjoyable. sharply focused story.
Oh God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of an infinite space - were it not that I have bad dreams.
The fetus/nutshell narrates the story in McEwan's typically s beautiful prose, and you are hooked. A bit unwieldy at times, but overall a highly enjoyable. sharply focused story.
What a very bizarre read...I found it very Roald Dahl - Tales of the Unexpected. Love McEwan challenging what we expect of him. It could not be more unique - an embryo is the storyteller of intrigue, sex and betrayal all from a the viewpoint of a highly intelligent "insider" with good taste in food and wine! Weird, challenging, humorous, outrageous but...masterly, I thought.
Well I loved it, but also hated parts, was fascinated by the unique narrator, frustrated by the same narrator, challenged by the vocabulary (not bragging here)... Mostly it was amazing and I'm glad I read it.
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes