kelz31's review against another edition
2.0
Wasn't thrilled with this. I enjoyed the prose and the length but overall felt the plot was lacking.
edenjoyce_23's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
v short book but quite a lot happens. the style of writing was beautiful, to me similar to older classics, but a faster read. loved how not one of the characters was a good person, but for different reasons.
ryryreadsbooks96's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When Molly Lane dies, what follows is less a chain reaction, and more a sequence of unfortunate events inspired by jealousy, miscommunication, and vain attempts at gaining clout. Ian McEwan is that rare writer I love who focuses a hair more on plot than on character— where that thing you were told 50 pages earlier all of sudden has a grasp on the characters in a devastating way. To call it a thriller wouldn’t be far from the truth— though it’s intense focus on mundanity slows it down, and McEwan’s clipped prose lulls you into it’s late 90s privileged English atmosphere. It’s a gem that I want to keep to myself, but the power in it’s simplicity is overwhelmingly excellent. Clive and Vernon were once lovers of the ravishing Molly, whose absence is felt throughout the entire novel. Now older, and all of a sudden at that age where friends are mourned, Clive and Vernon form a pact based on euthanasia, if they ever get to the point where death cannot be achieved by their own hands.
Morality is pushed to the test in two brilliant ways. With Clive, a pompous composer, he escapes the tumult of the city for the beauty of the countryside. As he seeks solace to finish his “masterpiece” he’s disrupted by the argument of a man and a woman. For two pages, McEwan goes over the pros and cons of Clive intervening, to which, in the end, Clive decides to finish his composition in a clearing. We later learn that this man attempted to assault this woman, and has 8 other victims. With Vernon, a bored tabloid editor, he gains access to pictures (taken by Molly) of the Foreign Secretary in drag. This political figure is gunning for PM. He’s xenophobic, wants England out of the EU, and was Molly’s last lover. And yet, there is an uncanny vulnerability in the photos that tests the bounds of ethics. Is Vernon releasing the photos for the good of the country, or due to his jealousy over the fact that this man was the last to “have” Molly? McEwan seems to be balancing the dangers of ignorance and righteousness. If Clive focused on the world around him, he would’ve known about this dangerous man. If Vernon actually cared about Molly, he would’ve seen she was trying to protect this man. The last 20 pages are located in Amsterdam, and what unfolds is executed with a darkly comic stroke of brilliance.
Morality is pushed to the test in two brilliant ways. With Clive, a pompous composer, he escapes the tumult of the city for the beauty of the countryside. As he seeks solace to finish his “masterpiece” he’s disrupted by the argument of a man and a woman. For two pages, McEwan goes over the pros and cons of Clive intervening, to which, in the end, Clive decides to finish his composition in a clearing. We later learn that this man attempted to assault this woman, and has 8 other victims. With Vernon, a bored tabloid editor, he gains access to pictures (taken by Molly) of the Foreign Secretary in drag. This political figure is gunning for PM. He’s xenophobic, wants England out of the EU, and was Molly’s last lover. And yet, there is an uncanny vulnerability in the photos that tests the bounds of ethics. Is Vernon releasing the photos for the good of the country, or due to his jealousy over the fact that this man was the last to “have” Molly? McEwan seems to be balancing the dangers of ignorance and righteousness. If Clive focused on the world around him, he would’ve known about this dangerous man. If Vernon actually cared about Molly, he would’ve seen she was trying to protect this man. The last 20 pages are located in Amsterdam, and what unfolds is executed with a darkly comic stroke of brilliance.
ktbeepboop's review against another edition
3.0
Full of unexpected twists and turns. Enjoyed this a lot, felt really different to my usual read.
joshsimp's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
krik_van_gelis's review against another edition
3.0
Έξυπνο βιβλίο. Τώρα αν μιλάει για την ανδρική φιλία όπως ευαγγελίζεται θα σας γελάσω... Μιλάει για άλλα πράγματα σίγουρα ομως. Την ηθική, την υποκειμενικότητα, την δημιουργία, την προστασία της ιδιωτικής ζωής.
Προσωπικά το τέλος παρά το αναπάντεχο(?!) του πράγματος δεν με ενθουσίασε. Περίμενα να δώσει λίγο βάθος (αφιερώνοντας περισσότερες σελίδες) μετά τη σύγκρουση για να καταλήξει σε αυτό (το οποίο μυρίζεται ο αναγνώστης αρκετά νωρίς). Το βιβλίο το προτείνω γιατι είναι και αρκετά ευκολοδιάβαστο. Βιβλίο μιας άλλης εποχής όχι τόσο μακρινής αλλά σίγουρα διαφορετικής.
Προσωπικά το τέλος παρά το αναπάντεχο(?!) του πράγματος δεν με ενθουσίασε. Περίμενα να δώσει λίγο βάθος (αφιερώνοντας περισσότερες σελίδες) μετά τη σύγκρουση για να καταλήξει σε αυτό (το οποίο μυρίζεται ο αναγνώστης αρκετά νωρίς). Το βιβλίο το προτείνω γιατι είναι και αρκετά ευκολοδιάβαστο. Βιβλίο μιας άλλης εποχής όχι τόσο μακρινής αλλά σίγουρα διαφορετικής.
liefkesusan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
monikapuff's review against another edition
4.0
Let me start with what I loved about this book - there is not one moral character! Clive is a coward, Vernon is ready to walk over everyone to stay at the top no matter what. Garmony ended up as a victim, because one should not judge another over what he does in spare time, no matter his social status. But was he really a victim in other aspects? What did he do to deserve such hate from Vernon, except for being Molly's lover? The books left me with more questions than I started with.
It was easy to read, fast, it took me around three days to finish it, and it kept me interested, shocked and in disbelief at actions of main characters.
And, what about Molly? Who was she? And what did she have that kept all these men near her? I have no idea.
It was easy to read, fast, it took me around three days to finish it, and it kept me interested, shocked and in disbelief at actions of main characters.
And, what about Molly? Who was she? And what did she have that kept all these men near her? I have no idea.
jamilia_shu's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0