A review by shelby1994
The Children Act by Ian McEwan

challenging informative 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? It's complicated

4.0




As someone who has little interested in having children of my own, but who is deeply invested in the children of my friends and family and, I found this book timely and thought-provoking.
McEwan follows Fiona, a beleaguered and dedicated High-Court judge who is challenged with determining the fate of a 17 year old boy, who's community faith prevents him from receiving a life-saving blood transfusion. The withering of the boy's health parallels the rot in the judge's own marriage, where her husband has abruptly announced that he needs to have one last lusty affair before his old age renders him inept and undesirable. 
McEwan is unrivaled depicting English practicality, especially in his women. Turning tropes on their head, his male characters are typically the ones creating annoyances and disasters by giving in wholeheartedly to emotions, biases, and perceived slights. This story adds the complicating element of spirituality in teenagers, especially when that spirituality can border on naive martyrdom if left unchecked by reality. 
I'm slowly working my way towards being an Ian McEwan completist (I read Atonement and On Chesil Beach last year), and while not my favorite of his so far, I'm happy to be able to have this on my shelf to pick up again in the future. 

Read If:
- you're conflicted about having kids 
- you're a lawyer, partners with a lawyer, have a friend who won't shut up about being a lawyer, or want to go to law school
- you think people should leave some room for grey area in their marriage vows. 
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