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veronicatabor's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Physical abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Domestic abuse and Death
jgwc54e5's review against another edition
4.0
Well I guess I should’ve expected the turn in this novel, after all it is Ian Macabre but the slowish start to this spy story set in 1950’s Berlin lulled me into expecting a different sort of twist. Then I just couldn’t look away.
shirisandler's review against another edition
3.0
Considering that this is McEwan, the master of sympathetic discomfort, the book is mystifyingly positive. Grisly, certainly, torturous, and sometimes excruciating, but not gratuitous, _The Innocent_ impressed me with how much humanity it allowed to shine through the terrible mess.
It also made me see the Cold War in yet another new light. I'm getting used to seeing Berlin remove layer after layer, but I couldn't have expected the power of this book and the city it reveals. Who would have thought there was romance and beauty in the very architecture of the Cold War?
I can't give it more than 3 stars, because under no circumstances would I read it again in its entirety, but I think thats the beauty of McEwan. I still like the characters enough to want to revel in their development again; I also feel their humanity enough to be unable to read their downfall one more time. Isn't that a triumph?
It also made me see the Cold War in yet another new light. I'm getting used to seeing Berlin remove layer after layer, but I couldn't have expected the power of this book and the city it reveals. Who would have thought there was romance and beauty in the very architecture of the Cold War?
I can't give it more than 3 stars, because under no circumstances would I read it again in its entirety, but I think thats the beauty of McEwan. I still like the characters enough to want to revel in their development again; I also feel their humanity enough to be unable to read their downfall one more time. Isn't that a triumph?
jashanac's review against another edition
I wasn't getting super invested in the story... and also a scene where the main character (a man) is, in his head, role-playing a whole rape/consensual non-consent scene with his lady love... but without ever having communicated that to her??? So without getting her consent??? So she just thinks he really is forcing himself upon her and being violent/aggressive. And he's like "Why isn't she playing along???" in his head. Like an actual child. Or rather, like an absolute idiot that I no longer cared to read about in the slightest. He didn't end up raping her, because he eventually understood that she actually did want him to stop... but he was all petulant and confused about it like... I can't.
mdstutzman's review against another edition
3.0
When I started this book I had a really hard time getting into it. It seemed like a generic post-WWII/Cold War novel. It reminded me of a bad version of a lot of other literature of the time. I stuck with it though and about halfway through it turned pretty twisted and shocking. I couldn't put it down mostly because of the crazy contrast from the first half of the book. I can't say it was great but the second half certainly made it interesting.
bthoem's review against another edition
Denne fikk jeg ikke helt hodet mitt rundt, så jeg lar være å legge noen karakter. Jeg tok lydbokutgaven her.
_yumitsang_'s review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jatridle's review against another edition
5.0
Holy Crap. I really need to read more books by this guy. I already knew McEwan could depict the emotional complexities of a romantic relationship like pretty much no one else. But wow. Wow!!