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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
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
beautifully written. makes even a squash game interesting and poetic. not a quick page turner but definitely a smart introspective book that makes you appreciate what true great writing is all about
Saturday isn't a bad novel, but it has one point working against it throughout the book. That is how uninteresting its protagonist appears to be. He's neither interesting nor completely devoid of personality. Eternally ''mellow''...Perhaps McEwan wanted to create a contrast where the protagonist is unable to commit to the many internal dilemma's he has during his day, but it results in not feeling a connection with the protagonist.
His stream of consciousness is very formal, somehow he is the kind of man that almost never uses informal or downright crude language in his thoughts, instead it is always rather poetically elegant. This may sound very pleasing and in the beginning and at certain moments it is, but not when it's overused.
When it comes to the other characters, I found them to be interesting enough, as was the premise of the story.
His stream of consciousness is very formal, somehow he is the kind of man that almost never uses informal or downright crude language in his thoughts, instead it is always rather poetically elegant. This may sound very pleasing and in the beginning and at certain moments it is, but not when it's overused.
When it comes to the other characters, I found them to be interesting enough, as was the premise of the story.
This is the second piece of McEwan's fiction I have read, the first being 'Atonement', which immediately went onto my favorites list. That being said, I went into this read very eager to love...and was a bit disappointed.
McEwan is a very talented writer, and I really enjoyed the characters portrayed in this piece, but the giant chunks of narrative dedicated to the game of squash (yawn), and now outdated middle eastern politics (exhausting) were awful and a huge chore to get through. Though I personally found it interesting, it should also be noted that a large chunk of this slim novel was also dedicated to and filled with super detailed, technical neurological language and procedures. Those over-dominated, significant portions of the book really bogged down the narrative and soured the entire experience. Finally, without giving away too much, the really tense, conflict build towards the conclusion of the novel that literally had me breathless ended up really disappointing in the ultimate resolution. A total letdown to an entirely underwhelming tome.
McEwan is a very talented writer, and I really enjoyed the characters portrayed in this piece, but the giant chunks of narrative dedicated to the game of squash (yawn), and now outdated middle eastern politics (exhausting) were awful and a huge chore to get through. Though I personally found it interesting, it should also be noted that a large chunk of this slim novel was also dedicated to and filled with super detailed, technical neurological language and procedures. Those over-dominated, significant portions of the book really bogged down the narrative and soured the entire experience. Finally, without giving away too much, the really tense, conflict build towards the conclusion of the novel that literally had me breathless ended up really disappointing in the ultimate resolution. A total letdown to an entirely underwhelming tome.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the story of one Saturday in the life of neurosurgeon Henry Perowne. Some exciting things happen. Lots of not-so-exciting things happen. There isn't a whole lot of plot, and really in a book that only encompasses one day how much plot can one expect?
With that said, I also wasn't bored to the point where I wanted to totally abandon the book. I enjoyed the perspective from a neurosurgeon. Probably because I am familiar with all of the terminology, it didn't seem out of place or a jarring use of over-technical terms. But I will say there were a few times I skimmed over most of a paragraph and didn't come out feeling like I'd missed anything.
Normally I'd give this book 2 stars, but this book really is well written and I feel like most things I read nowadays I find entertaining and not all that well-written. So because while I will admit it was at times boring, the prose was still enjoyable to read, I bumped it up to 3 stars
With that said, I also wasn't bored to the point where I wanted to totally abandon the book. I enjoyed the perspective from a neurosurgeon. Probably because I am familiar with all of the terminology, it didn't seem out of place or a jarring use of over-technical terms. But I will say there were a few times I skimmed over most of a paragraph and didn't come out feeling like I'd missed anything.
Normally I'd give this book 2 stars, but this book really is well written and I feel like most things I read nowadays I find entertaining and not all that well-written. So because while I will admit it was at times boring, the prose was still enjoyable to read, I bumped it up to 3 stars
reflective
slow-paced
Extremely mixed feelings about this book. First 300 pages was just not something for me last 100 were pretty good
A day inside the mind and life of a British neurosurgeon.
The most beautiful prose I've read in a long time. Detailed, rich descriptions and characters.
The most beautiful prose I've read in a long time. Detailed, rich descriptions and characters.