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A review by amanda1793
Nutshell by Ian McEwan
2.0
Here's the problem: this book is told by an unborn fetus who for some reason has a vast vocabulary to use. Which McEwan explains is due to the podcasts and radio news shows that Trudy listens to. Then, to the flip side of this argument, the fetus (who is never named), speaks about kind of obscene things (ie. the uncles penis poking his forehead during sex, and semi demeaning things about his mother and women, it seems to me at least, in general).
A major thing for me in this book was the use of alcohol not only in late term pregnancy (as what is shown in the book) and what the readers can assume started in early pregnancy. I understand that this featured in a fiction novel, and the mother very obviously didn't care about the fetus (as shown by lack of preparing the home for the baby and the assumed not buying clothes for him), and this again was featured in part of the plot in the story (a semi spoiler so I'll leave it out). I just felt that the alcohol didn't need to be as huge a part of the story as it was.
Along with the above, the story became blasé for me towards the end and I felt like skim reading to finish it.
This is the second McEwan read for me, and so far I am vastly underwhelmed by all that I have sat to read.
If you're interested in an odd way of telling a sort of mystery/thriller story this one is for you; otherwise, avoid this one.
A major thing for me in this book was the use of alcohol not only in late term pregnancy (as what is shown in the book) and what the readers can assume started in early pregnancy. I understand that this featured in a fiction novel, and the mother very obviously didn't care about the fetus (as shown by lack of preparing the home for the baby and the assumed not buying clothes for him), and this again was featured in part of the plot in the story (a semi spoiler so I'll leave it out). I just felt that the alcohol didn't need to be as huge a part of the story as it was.
Along with the above, the story became blasé for me towards the end and I felt like skim reading to finish it.
This is the second McEwan read for me, and so far I am vastly underwhelmed by all that I have sat to read.
If you're interested in an odd way of telling a sort of mystery/thriller story this one is for you; otherwise, avoid this one.