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A review by damacyroll
Atonement by Ian McEwan
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Like many others have said in their reviews, the beginning pace of the book is sluggish just like the heat wave that takes up much of the first part. Once the crime has been comitted the book picks up and is at it's best when highlighting Robbie, Cecilia, and Briony's own jobs and efforts during the war.
The ending is definitely frustrating, but not all together a complete surprise. Much of Briony's viewpoints throughout the book are infuriating for one reason or another, and the epilogue was just another point on the list of why that is so. I found the way McEwan wrote Briony's thoughts and character to be one of the more intriguing points of the book but I still hate her.
Overall a good book in terms of prose and descriptions of WWII, but I would not recommend it to those who are looking for a satisfying romance that is all tied up at the end. I think I came in with expectations of a really satisfying romance after hearing so much about the movie, but was left wanting for more closure to Robbie and Cecilia's story which is why I rate it 3 stars.
Spoilers below!
After learning that the whole reunion between Robbie and Cecilia at the end was fabricated I was so so mad! Especially when Briony has the nerve to say that their story will only continue on as her characters and even proclaims Robbie and Cecilia as her lovers. The whole epilogue section unraveled any sympathy I had been starting to feel for Briony, as she proved herself a coward until the end, too scared to right the wrongs of her younger self.
I feel like it also calls into question the whole main theme of the novel. Briony never actually atones for what she did in any meaningful way, and instead continues to live on with the fantasies inside her head. In the end, she really never changed or grew from what she did when she was younger. Adult Briony has the capacity to make a mistake/crime of that severity all over again tbh.
The ending is definitely frustrating, but not all together a complete surprise. Much of Briony's viewpoints throughout the book are infuriating for one reason or another, and the epilogue was just another point on the list of why that is so. I found the way McEwan wrote Briony's thoughts and character to be one of the more intriguing points of the book but I still hate her.
Overall a good book in terms of prose and descriptions of WWII, but I would not recommend it to those who are looking for a satisfying romance that is all tied up at the end. I think I came in with expectations of a really satisfying romance after hearing so much about the movie, but was left wanting for more closure to Robbie and Cecilia's story which is why I rate it 3 stars.
Spoilers below!
I feel like it also calls into question the whole main theme of the novel. Briony never actually atones for what she did in any meaningful way, and instead continues to live on with the fantasies inside her head. In the end, she really never changed or grew from what she did when she was younger. Adult Briony has the capacity to make a mistake/crime of that severity all over again tbh.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape