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![Saturday by Ian McEwan 4th (fourth) Edition [Paperback(2006)] by Ian McEwan](https://assets.thestorygraph.com/assets/placeholder-cover-a3ae92250eb3301e32dc3eabf8d50576c2f047dda89f6ee7cfa9a859cb1fd746.jpg)
3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
This one kept me thinking. The characters are believable and consistent throughout the book.
slow-paced
Afraid to say I expected a bit more, but worth a read on a lazy summer day
It's not as good as "Atonement". But then, maybe no other book in the English language is as good as "Atonement".
A reasonable of critic of Mr. McEwan's books might say "But hardly anything actually HAPPENED!" And while that's not technically wrong, I think that critic is completely missing the point. McEwan delves into the inner workings of his main character's raison d'être, and when he's at his best, leaves us breathless, because he has revealed some deep dark secret about our own heart of hearts. This is literature at its very best.
Oh, and when things DO happen in McEwan novels, they are HUGE EPIC THINGS. Things that define lives, change worlds, redefine our existance.
A reasonable of critic of Mr. McEwan's books might say "But hardly anything actually HAPPENED!" And while that's not technically wrong, I think that critic is completely missing the point. McEwan delves into the inner workings of his main character's raison d'être, and when he's at his best, leaves us breathless, because he has revealed some deep dark secret about our own heart of hearts. This is literature at its very best.
Oh, and when things DO happen in McEwan novels, they are HUGE EPIC THINGS. Things that define lives, change worlds, redefine our existance.
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
A little slow overall but with some nicely ponderous sections and good twists. Some of the medical references are a bit annoying if you're a medic, but at least they're accurate.
I was inspired to read this by a student, who's doing an MA dissertation on the link between McEwan and New Atheism. Hence my whole reading--or, listening, rather--was coloured by this perspective, which might or might not do justice to the novel. First of all, it was delightful to read about my old haunts in Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury, where I used to work and have lunch on a daily basis for 12+ years. I had to chuckle when McEwan mentions the Spearmint Rhino--that anachronism from sleazier days in the middle of high end London. The locality also reminds me of the honorary doctorate McEwan received from my university in 2008 (if I remember right), so soon after the publication of Saturday. I was at the ceremony.
Anyway, the book--my first McEwan--was a very positive reading/listening experience. Despite the high-brow style, the narrative flowed smoothly. As to why I read the book in the first place, the view of religion is rather simplistic, as so often in New Atheism, but I wouldn't read too much of McEwan's own philosophy into it without knowing more. The audiobook reading was fantastic, with appropriate BBC English and characterisation.
Anyway, the book--my first McEwan--was a very positive reading/listening experience. Despite the high-brow style, the narrative flowed smoothly. As to why I read the book in the first place, the view of religion is rather simplistic, as so often in New Atheism, but I wouldn't read too much of McEwan's own philosophy into it without knowing more. The audiobook reading was fantastic, with appropriate BBC English and characterisation.
I brought it along as a holiday read, but despite several rainy days perfect for reading, I still haven't finished it. From the start, I found the main character unrelatable and obnoxious. Nevertheless, I tried to stick with the book. However, I could not help it feeling like a chore. After a 20-page description of a non-consequential squash game, I decided to try my luck with a local bookstore instead. The bookstore we found in Funchal had a small section of novels in English, so this one ended up being shelved.
and the books that you constantly write; they say nothing to me about my life.
Henry, I don't give a fuck about your smug life so fuck off.
that's it! never again will I read a book narrated by someone whose children attend a prep school.
Ian, most of us work in shops; in offices; we are: cleaners; teachers; nurses; we work for local government; we stack shelves in the local supermarket. Hell, some of us are even librarians. We are average and the vast majority of us SEND OUR CHILDREN TO STATE SCHOOL!
I cannot believe this upper class wank got such rave reviews; shame on Guardian, shame on you Observer!
and...I'm sure every time I read a description of sport a little piece of me dies.
Henry, I don't give a fuck about your smug life so fuck off.
that's it! never again will I read a book narrated by someone whose children attend a prep school.
Ian, most of us work in shops; in offices; we are: cleaners; teachers; nurses; we work for local government; we stack shelves in the local supermarket. Hell, some of us are even librarians. We are average and the vast majority of us SEND OUR CHILDREN TO STATE SCHOOL!
I cannot believe this upper class wank got such rave reviews; shame on Guardian, shame on you Observer!
and...I'm sure every time I read a description of sport a little piece of me dies.