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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 found this book laborious. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone although by the end I can say I kind of enjoyed it.
medium-paced
I've become a fan of Ian McEwan's tales over the last few years, admiring his prose and style. He has such a profound insight into the minor horrors of everyday life, the way a chance encounter taints everything that follows. However, this narrative device is so well known that his books almost suffer from the knowledge of the inevitable expectant event and consequences. Still.
The setting (London, circa 2003) conjures up many personal memories and feelings as I was living there at the time. The depiction of the city in turmoil and passion as the country moved towards war is well handled and McEwan offers the differing perspectives on the morality and potential outcomes. However, for me it comes across strangely dated for such recent events. At one point Henry argues that we'll not know the consequences and whether going to war was the right decision until 5 years down the line. Sitting now somewhat beyond that point in time there's still a profound lack of clarity which creates an unusual sense of unreality upon reading.
The story moves swiftly, from one scenic set piece to another and the writing is sharp but there are faults. I do wonder at the comprehension of the average person when reading some of the rather technical depictions of complex neurosurgery and medicine. Being a doctor it all makes sense to me but the lack of understanding I had with some of the diversions into the musical structure and technicality of the blues drew me out of the story and I suspect the medical talk must do the same for the uninitiated.
It also only seemed that some of the characters were fully developed while the rest were there to fill the gaps. Henry is an interesting character and Theo is nicely drawn but Daisy comes across rather sparse. As an aside, Baxter comes from my hometown which was weird to read.
There was a sense of the climax cut short. Bizarre and disjointed. Overall, better than most and worth reading but not his best.
The setting (London, circa 2003) conjures up many personal memories and feelings as I was living there at the time. The depiction of the city in turmoil and passion as the country moved towards war is well handled and McEwan offers the differing perspectives on the morality and potential outcomes. However, for me it comes across strangely dated for such recent events. At one point Henry argues that we'll not know the consequences and whether going to war was the right decision until 5 years down the line. Sitting now somewhat beyond that point in time there's still a profound lack of clarity which creates an unusual sense of unreality upon reading.
The story moves swiftly, from one scenic set piece to another and the writing is sharp but there are faults. I do wonder at the comprehension of the average person when reading some of the rather technical depictions of complex neurosurgery and medicine. Being a doctor it all makes sense to me but the lack of understanding I had with some of the diversions into the musical structure and technicality of the blues drew me out of the story and I suspect the medical talk must do the same for the uninitiated.
It also only seemed that some of the characters were fully developed while the rest were there to fill the gaps. Henry is an interesting character and Theo is nicely drawn but Daisy comes across rather sparse. As an aside, Baxter comes from my hometown which was weird to read.
There was a sense of the climax cut short. Bizarre and disjointed. Overall, better than most and worth reading but not his best.
I was missing a CD in the middle of the book and don't think I missed much. The biggest mystery is Baxter's illness. The bigger ideas about forgiveness and participation in the worries of the world get lost in this Saturday of a wealthy and self-involved surgeon. Henry is never shaken, not completely. The ending is a little too happily ever after. The message that art can save the world is heavy-handed and cliche.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Riveting plot that will keep you up past your bedtime to finish!
This was quite good! The only thing I've read by McEwan is Atonement which I also really enjoyed. I'm not usually a fan of excessive description, but strange enough excessive description and analysis of simple details is what draws me to McEwan's fiction. Saturday is a perfect example of this because the entire novel takes place in one day, a day in the life of a neurosurgeon sometime in London sometime shortly after 9/11. Very quotable, very moving, and very entertaining. I recommend this book to anyone who's a fan on McEwan's writing or books with a more philosophical vibe.
From what I remember of this book (I read it over a year ago), I thought it was interesting and sometimes poetic, but also a little overwrought, as I tend to find many of McEwan's books. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it because at points I starting finding it overdone and, as a result, a little silly. I also think I did not like the end nearly as much as the rest of the book. Not a long read though, and pretty engaging.
A wonderful day in the life. This is easily one of Ian McEwan's best books. I read it while staying on Charlotte Street so Fitzroy Square, where much of the book is set, was about 100 yards away, well 500 metres away lets say.
McEwan's attention to detail is meticulous. You get the feeling he is an expert in the areas he delves into, be it squash, brain surgery or the blues. His ability to render into words the sense of musical euphoria is truly astounding.
The people in McEwan's books are so real it's as if you have known them all your life. Even minor characters are illustrated with the eye to detail of a Tibetan Thanka artist.
McEwan's attention to detail is meticulous. You get the feeling he is an expert in the areas he delves into, be it squash, brain surgery or the blues. His ability to render into words the sense of musical euphoria is truly astounding.
The people in McEwan's books are so real it's as if you have known them all your life. Even minor characters are illustrated with the eye to detail of a Tibetan Thanka artist.
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes