Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by jdybs
Saturday by Ian McEwan
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
3.5
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