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marnash's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I forgot to rate the book before starting a new one so the current one (monogamy) plus the last two (the children act & the one about running) are a bit of a blur. But if I recall correctly - thos book was a little slow, but not necessarily in a bad way. The writing was wonderful and the dilemmas that the character faces both in her personal life and in her life as a judge are absolutely fascinating. It also delt with the dilemmas surrounding professional boundaries, which is a hot topic in my life right now, seeing as I become a social worker in two months. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, it was a fairly quick one.
Minor: Death
uhm_kai's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
surprisingly enjoyed this, makes me feel melancholy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Suicide, and Medical content
shelby1994's review against another edition
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.
Moderate: Death
Minor: Eating disorder
niaaaaa's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.5
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Abandonment
Minor: Blood, Vomit, and Stalking
mariekev's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Child death and Death
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