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A review by katykelly
Solar by Ian McEwan
4.0
I found it really hard to decide as I was listening to Solar if I liked it or not. Our protagonist is both brilliant and awful - a prize-winning physicist but a five-times married and never faithful husband.
We seem to see his life through snippets, incidents and snapshots of periods in his life, as he attempts professionally to harness the sun's energy to power the world whilst juggling wise and mistresses.
The story takes in a scandal, divorces, pregnancies, fame, and Michael Beard's ageing and several changes in his fortunes.
I really enjoyed the 'idea' of solar power, but the physics left me cold and I would have liked to skip these bits. Beard's moments of notoriety, his failures, following his personal life, I loved.
Beard isn't particularly likeable (though his professional aims are admirable), but his escapades can be hilarious (his trip to a cold climate and a national scandal are highlights).
I've read McEwan before, and they are always interesting reads about interesting individuals. The whole topic of solar power is a topical one, and Michael Bead an amoral (but enjoyably so) anti-hero.
A nicely narrated audiobook that's easy to follow.
We seem to see his life through snippets, incidents and snapshots of periods in his life, as he attempts professionally to harness the sun's energy to power the world whilst juggling wise and mistresses.
The story takes in a scandal, divorces, pregnancies, fame, and Michael Beard's ageing and several changes in his fortunes.
I really enjoyed the 'idea' of solar power, but the physics left me cold and I would have liked to skip these bits. Beard's moments of notoriety, his failures, following his personal life, I loved.
Beard isn't particularly likeable (though his professional aims are admirable), but his escapades can be hilarious (his trip to a cold climate and a national scandal are highlights).
I've read McEwan before, and they are always interesting reads about interesting individuals. The whole topic of solar power is a topical one, and Michael Bead an amoral (but enjoyably so) anti-hero.
A nicely narrated audiobook that's easy to follow.