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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
I can't really say that I enjoyed this book. McEwan's style of writing is exhausting to me. The book is written in the perspective of the main character, Henry Perowne. The reader follows him through one day....that's right, the entire book is about one, single day. In order to accomplish this, we read every single thought and reminiscence Henry has throughout his day. All of the thoughts in your head that you try to ignore, that's what this book is. Yes, Henry definitely articulates his thoughts and beliefs about the world well and yes, some exciting events do happen, but overall, this book is annoyingly detailed and mundane.
I have finally finished this book, but all I feel is relieved that it's over. It's not a "bad" book, it's actually very well written. Maybe I wasn't in the mood for such a slow, descriptive, everything-is-an-observation-about-life sort of novel. What I feel most sorry about is that I will probably never, ever, attempt any other Ian McEwan novel. Sorry Atonement, but I just can't bear the thought of another experience of "obligation to finish."
3.5 stars
What a fantastic novel... that I never would have finished if I didn't have a 4000 word paper assigned on it. There are some books that are so truly purposefully written, with powerful messages and moments, character explorations, theme subversions, that are so hard to read, most of the time we give up part way through. Saturday is one of these books. Needless to say, I'm glad I got through.
McEwan's novel is literary fiction in every sense of that term. We follow Henry Perowne, a neurosurgeon, during the 24 hours that encompass Saturday February 15 2003. This is not a plot-heavy book, something that contributed to it being so hard to get through, I think, because sometimes nothing seemed to be happening. Instead, the focus is on the writing, the way Perowne processes the world around him.
This is one of the most satisfying books I have ever read, though. All the small threads, which were started somehow wrap around in the end in a quite emotional manner, I would argue. In fact, I was touched much more by the conclusion of the novel than I thought I would be.
Themes are what stood out to me the most and their portrayal. Whether it was the idea of art vs logic, happiness, illness, or political engagement, each theme was given special attention and was directly involved in the resolution of the narrative.
Overall, I much preferred the latter half of the book than the first, and it was a slog to get through. HOWEVER, once I did get through it, boy was it worth it.
What a fantastic novel... that I never would have finished if I didn't have a 4000 word paper assigned on it. There are some books that are so truly purposefully written, with powerful messages and moments, character explorations, theme subversions, that are so hard to read, most of the time we give up part way through. Saturday is one of these books. Needless to say, I'm glad I got through.
McEwan's novel is literary fiction in every sense of that term. We follow Henry Perowne, a neurosurgeon, during the 24 hours that encompass Saturday February 15 2003. This is not a plot-heavy book, something that contributed to it being so hard to get through, I think, because sometimes nothing seemed to be happening. Instead, the focus is on the writing, the way Perowne processes the world around him.
This is one of the most satisfying books I have ever read, though. All the small threads, which were started somehow wrap around in the end in a quite emotional manner, I would argue. In fact, I was touched much more by the conclusion of the novel than I thought I would be.
Themes are what stood out to me the most and their portrayal. Whether it was the idea of art vs logic, happiness, illness, or political engagement, each theme was given special attention and was directly involved in the resolution of the narrative.
Overall, I much preferred the latter half of the book than the first, and it was a slog to get through. HOWEVER, once I did get through it, boy was it worth it.
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It takes a long time to say nothing - I'm not keen on his other stuff too for the same reason
The books portrays the post-9/11 society, with all the paranoia and security problems involved.
The main character, Henry Perowne, is a well suceeded man who has the obsession to control everything in his whole life and the reader follows him in one particular day. By the beggining of the novel, he has everything figured out: the things he has to do in that day and the exact amout of time he has to waste in those particular tasks, but as the day goes by he understands he can't take control of everything and sometimes the unpredictable can - and does - happen.
It's not a difficult reading, there are some good points McEwan brings up, but I don't think it will somehow turn into a classic. If you are interested in the post-9/11 society and you like literature, I'll definetly recommend the book, otherwise I think you should read something else.
The main character, Henry Perowne, is a well suceeded man who has the obsession to control everything in his whole life and the reader follows him in one particular day. By the beggining of the novel, he has everything figured out: the things he has to do in that day and the exact amout of time he has to waste in those particular tasks, but as the day goes by he understands he can't take control of everything and sometimes the unpredictable can - and does - happen.
It's not a difficult reading, there are some good points McEwan brings up, but I don't think it will somehow turn into a classic. If you are interested in the post-9/11 society and you like literature, I'll definetly recommend the book, otherwise I think you should read something else.
Seems to be a Marmite type of book from what I can gather, but I really enjoyed it. Witty and entertaining, shall review properly soon.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Remarkable. I just finished this book for my book group, and when I came to enter it in my “read” list, I discovered I’d already read this book - eight years ago. What’s amazing is that nothing - and I do mean nothing - about this book felt familiar to me except the concept of it taking place in one day.
So. I guess this has not been a memorable book for me. The writing is good, with complex and well-developed characters, but the pace is very slow. Told with great detail through the eyes of the main character, at times the book really bogs down in over-analysis. The protagonist’s debate with his daughter about the pending war with Iraq was simply unending, for example. But the author does a good job of slowly, quietly building suspense, so that when the big action happens, you’re ready for it.
If you like books that are dominated by character and slow, this is a good one.
So. I guess this has not been a memorable book for me. The writing is good, with complex and well-developed characters, but the pace is very slow. Told with great detail through the eyes of the main character, at times the book really bogs down in over-analysis. The protagonist’s debate with his daughter about the pending war with Iraq was simply unending, for example. But the author does a good job of slowly, quietly building suspense, so that when the big action happens, you’re ready for it.
If you like books that are dominated by character and slow, this is a good one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
I loved this book. It was a little hard to get into at the beginning but I couldn't put it down after awhile. Ian McEwan has such a way with words.