jennifer_mangieri 's review for:

The Child in Time by Ian McEwan

4.0

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Starts off as the story of a young couple whose 4 year old daughter is abducted in a supermarket - & what happens to her parents in the few years afterward. But it's McEwan, so it quickly becomes a wonderfully layered and thematic exploration of childhood, adulthood, time, & "the child within"; how we deal with leaving childhood & becoming an adult; & so much more. McEwan brings in bits of science and politics to show - what - I took it as the child-like excitement there can be in science & all its wonders - & the "childishness" of politics with its meaningless meetings, pointless scandals & play-acting. He uses the theme of physical journeys to show Stephen's progression in time & spiritual healing - & the theme of learning about the past to facilitate learning about one's present & future. Ooooh - and what does it mean that Stephen gets to save two different men who have just had accidents & been injured? I kept trying to figure out that symbolism & I haven't quite gotten there yet. Loved the ending, too!

Characters - interesting & sympathetic. Setting - modern day England. Writing - pay attention, you're reading McEwan here! Overall feeling at end of book - fascinated at the skill it takes to write such a "simple yet complicated" book; hopeful & joyful about the world!