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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the meandering through Roland's life. I found the commentary on life and adventure and drifting to be so interesting. There was a really interesting conversation about drifting through life vs living intentionally. Roland feels like he's wasted his time in comparison to his friends who've had more traditional paths, but he has had the most interesting life out of all of them, and quite frankly they all more or less end up in the same place so really, who's to say? It was also really home hitting thinking about this man, who has had essentially the same life span as my grandparents, and to watch as he goes through all of it, all these crazy events, and life just... goes on. Really made me think about them and what their lives have been like. I think the relationship with Miriam was super well handled. Like it would impact him that much for the rest of his life, but also not all that much. It messed him up mentally in terms of sexuality, but he still was able to live a fulfilling and mostly complete life despite. I also found the way he worked though his guilt over it very realistic too.
I would give this 3.5 stars, but since that's not an option, I went 4. It's better than 3. This is not my favorite McEwan by any means, but it was an engaging story--if rather longer than it might have needed to be. I think the characters are all well-drawn and believable. I'm not sure that there is a "point," as there often is in novels; this is more like a slice-of-life tale. It did make me go get another McEwan to read right away.
I listened to the audio book, and the narrator did an excellent job.
Spoiler
I was concerned about 3/4 of the way through that the story of the piano teacher was just going to be dropped, but in the end, that was resolved satisfactorily, as was the story of the ex-wife.I listened to the audio book, and the narrator did an excellent job.
2.5 i get why people gave it 5 stars but i also get why people dnf’ed this book
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was the first book I’ve read by Ian McEwan, and I look forward to reading more. Beautifully written, thoughtful story spanning decades. Not a fast paced novel-something instead to savour.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Deep, personal. Time skips were sometimes a bit too much. I enjoyed the character emphasis but not the character himself as much. A bit too long for my liking but lovely written.
fast-paced
Ian mcewan disappoints me these days I used to love his stuff
Not relatable really - it’s all a bit pretentious / arty high brow makes it feel less relevant
Narrative around the value of literature - kid abandoned etc seriously who lives in this world
But I did find this an easy read
Not relatable really - it’s all a bit pretentious / arty high brow makes it feel less relevant
Narrative around the value of literature - kid abandoned etc seriously who lives in this world
But I did find this an easy read