sopaphlmieer's review against another edition
4.0
“This is how the entire course of a life can be changed - by doing nothing.”
itsharrietrj's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.0
sophiea_p's review against another edition
1.0
Read this for my English coursework as a comparison to Great Expectations. Certainly the better of the two novels.
The sections from Florence’s perspective were the most interesting and she was the more interesting of the protagonists. It is a shame McEwan split the narrative between her and Edward and ended the novel on Edward’s perspective, as it felt like McEwan was centring a male perspective on Florence’s trauma (it is implied she was sexually abused by her father, resulting in her aversion and disgust towards sex, something Edward refuses to try and understand then shames her for, calling her frigid and a bitch), treating it as equal to his self consciousness about ejaculation and then, despite some self reflection, still not fully understanding Florence’s feelings, never regretting calling her names or yelling at her. It feels like he just stopped being angry about it, not actually learnt or grew or reflection on how his own actions affected Florence.
The novel’s treatment of Florence is pretty horrific. Her inability to discuss a deeply traumatic experience is treated as deception and freakish, something the narrative doesn’t challenge with Florence calling it the truth, rather than treating her actions as those of a girl who was sexually abused by someone she loved and trusted and having sympathy for how those actions still affect her years later. The novel would have been more interesting and insightful of it had looked more into the affect of childhood trauma, how it affected Florence’s relationships with her family and perhaps multiple romantic partners, how it affected her mental health and her journey in a sexually repressed and sexist society. Instead, it focused on how embarrassed and hurt Edward was by her trauma response.
This book was a disappointment. It lacked any depth, the characters were half baked and irritating and it failed to explore its subject matter beyond the absolute surface level.
The sections from Florence’s perspective were the most interesting and she was the more interesting of the protagonists. It is a shame McEwan split the narrative between her and Edward and ended the novel on Edward’s perspective, as it felt like McEwan was centring a male perspective on Florence’s trauma (it is implied she was sexually abused by her father, resulting in her aversion and disgust towards sex, something Edward refuses to try and understand then shames her for, calling her frigid and a bitch), treating it as equal to his self consciousness about ejaculation and then, despite some self reflection, still not fully understanding Florence’s feelings, never regretting calling her names or yelling at her. It feels like he just stopped being angry about it, not actually learnt or grew or reflection on how his own actions affected Florence.
The novel’s treatment of Florence is pretty horrific. Her inability to discuss a deeply traumatic experience is treated as deception and freakish, something the narrative doesn’t challenge with Florence calling it the truth, rather than treating her actions as those of a girl who was sexually abused by someone she loved and trusted and having sympathy for how those actions still affect her years later. The novel would have been more interesting and insightful of it had looked more into the affect of childhood trauma, how it affected Florence’s relationships with her family and perhaps multiple romantic partners, how it affected her mental health and her journey in a sexually repressed and sexist society. Instead, it focused on how embarrassed and hurt Edward was by her trauma response.
This book was a disappointment. It lacked any depth, the characters were half baked and irritating and it failed to explore its subject matter beyond the absolute surface level.
amybroome's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
- loved this !!!
- think it could have been fleshed out into a longer novel - the final chapter could have worked out as an entire second section
- very atonement-esque, one incident can change the course of your life
- unexpected ending for me
- think it could have been fleshed out into a longer novel - the final chapter could have worked out as an entire second section
- very atonement-esque, one incident can change the course of your life
- unexpected ending for me
readinggod's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever had a secret that you never told anyone? A secret so integral to your whole existence that you yourself have pushed it aside in order to have a normal life? What would you do if you were faced with having to tell the one person whom you love more than anything in the world that very secret? Could you face them, the consequences? What would you do if the day you were forced into this situation... were your wedding night?
Meet Florence and Edward. Two early twenties individuals who are madly in love with each other. We peek into their lives for a few hours to witness their wedding night. What these two characters have kept hidden from each other is read in black and white for the reader. What will come of a confession on their wedding night between two people who don't know each other as well as they claim they did?
Meet Florence and Edward. Two early twenties individuals who are madly in love with each other. We peek into their lives for a few hours to witness their wedding night. What these two characters have kept hidden from each other is read in black and white for the reader. What will come of a confession on their wedding night between two people who don't know each other as well as they claim they did?
xjuwita's review against another edition
3.0
Awkward, but enjoyable.
At the end, McEwan states, "This is how the entire course of life can be changed - by doing nothing."
In life, we are constantly faced with decisions. In that split second, depending on what you do (or in this case, don't do) your whole life takes a different direction. In the twilight of your years, will you be left wondering "What if...?"
At the end, McEwan states, "This is how the entire course of life can be changed - by doing nothing."
In life, we are constantly faced with decisions. In that split second, depending on what you do (or in this case, don't do) your whole life takes a different direction. In the twilight of your years, will you be left wondering "What if...?"
cstefko's review against another edition
5.0
4.75 stars
I thought this novella was pretty close to perfection. It's amazing how much tension and emotion McEwan fits into such a short narrative. I felt like I knew both of the protagonists intimately (no pun intended), and the ending is so beautifully tragic. Can't say much more without giving the ending away. I can see how other reviewers got annoyed with it for being such a simple story, but I enjoy books like this... give me some exquisite prose and miserably-in-love characters, and I'm happy! The period drama aspect is just an extra cherry on top. Can't wait to see the Saoirse Ronan movie adaptation :)
I thought this novella was pretty close to perfection. It's amazing how much tension and emotion McEwan fits into such a short narrative. I felt like I knew both of the protagonists intimately (no pun intended), and the ending is so beautifully tragic. Can't say much more without giving the ending away. I can see how other reviewers got annoyed with it for being such a simple story, but I enjoy books like this... give me some exquisite prose and miserably-in-love characters, and I'm happy! The period drama aspect is just an extra cherry on top. Can't wait to see the Saoirse Ronan movie adaptation :)
sofiamm's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
4.0