Reviews

The Children Act, by Ian McEwan

fateleanor's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad fast-paced

4.25

An easy to read, page turner about to judge having to make an extremely difficult judgement. A good read until near the end when, I felt, it was a little too far-fetched. Made me stop and think about what I would do in that circumstance

segza's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

This was my first [a: Ian McEwan|2408|Ian McEwan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1404240951p2/2408.jpg] novel and yikes, it did not really make me want to pick up any others. I've heard such amazing things about [b: Atonement|6867|Atonement|Ian McEwan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320449708s/6867.jpg|2307233] so I will probably read that eventually but I hope its got a bit more atmosphere than [b: The Children Act|21965107|The Children Act|Ian McEwan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405290619s/21965107.jpg|40842571]. [b: The Children Act|21965107|The Children Act|Ian McEwan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1405290619s/21965107.jpg|40842571] took place entirely in the narrator's head with very few conversations (which was likely to emphasize her remote existence) but jeez, it made it difficult for me, as the reader that I am, to want to stick it out and keep turning the pages. She was also such a pushover in regards to her husband. What was that all about?!

I also really dislike the cover. You cannot convince me the arms and hands of the woman on that cover belong to a 59 year old woman.

ria_mhrj's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A fellow bibliophile recommended The Children Act but I was skeptical (thanks Atonement). She reassured me it was lean and - if memory serves - compared the excellent writing to wholesome food. So, when it was chosen as my book club's read of the month, I was intrigued - and it turns out Louise was right!

The book seems simple enough and actually it was missing the McEwannish twist (that'll be an actual term for lit students of the future, surely), that jaw-dropping resolution to the apparently innocent preceding events. What made this book so powerful was the attention lavished to the small moments, Fiona's wry observations often highlighting the unremarkable and leaving me to marvel at how good the writing was.

I suspect the book club discussion will feature lots of moral grey areas being explored and this was another strength of the book - the challenge of choosing between what is easy and what is right.

This wonderful book has left me feeling suitably nourished. Fifth star was missed because I'm not sure I would read it again, but nevertheless I am very glad I got over my Atonement aversion and savoured this tasty morsel.

nori_2210's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

thamifc's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

claudia2945's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Not my favorite of his books. It's a short, good read, but the issues involved didn't grab me.

gmjohnson's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

ctenanthe's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Wonderfully written, touching story, I need sequels... loads of...

annabarbarabittner's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Po niezbyt udanym pierwszym spotkaniu z McEwanem nie planowałam sięgania po jego książki. Ten tytuł podsunęła znajoma z klubu książkowego i bardzo się cieszę, że dałam Anglikowi kolejną szansę, bo to naprawdę ciekawa lektura.

Fiona Maye pracuje w sądzie rodzinnym i to od niej zależy los dzieci po rozwodzie rodziców, do niej trafiają wszystkie sprawy sporne, dotyczące nieletnich - są to głównie sprawy najtrudniejsze, wymagające ogromnej dozy delikatności. Fiona ma prawie sześćdziesiąt lat i właśnie jej małżeństwo zaczyna się chwiać w posadach. Jack, jej mąż, chce przeżyć coś innego - romans, zakochanie, szalony seks. W ich małżeństwo wkradła się rutyna, zaabsorbowana pracą Fiona nie ma czasu na wspólne przedsięwzięcia, jest zbyt zmęczona na seks, a może małżonkom brakuje dzieci, których nigdy nie mieli?

Fiona rozważaniom nad decyzją męża nie może poświęcić wiele czasu, bo w nagłym trybie musi rozpatrzyć sprawę chorego na białaczkę prawie osiemnastoletniego chłopca. Jego rodzice nie zgadzają się na konieczną w przebiegu leczenia transfuzję krwi, ponieważ są Świadkami Jehowy. Chłopcu do pełnoletności brakuje trzech miesięcy, więc sprawa jest bardzo delikatna. Fiona po wysłuchaniu przemowy prawnika szpitala oraz rodziców, wybiera się na rozmowę z chłopcem. Adam okazuje się być niezwykle inteligentnym i utalentowanym młodym człowiekiem, który całkowicie zdaje sobie sprawę z konsekwencji decyzji rodziców i w pełni ją popiera.

Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot.com/2018/05/w-imie-dziecka-ian-mcewan.html

aetataureate's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0