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A review by andyshute
Saturday by Ian McEwan
3.0
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.