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max_power's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Blood
Moderate: Sexual violence and Violence
tigertheory's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.25
I really liked the book, but did not enjoy the act of reading it; as seems to be the case for me with most of McEwan’s work. I will say it is carefully constructed and thought-provoking, but I didn’t necessarily find myself captivated. Excellent writing though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Medical content, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Infidelity, Terminal illness, Torture, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, and Classism
debookgeek's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Blood, Dementia, and Car accident
Minor: Sexual violence, Islamophobia, and Pregnancy
samkcs's review against another edition
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence and Islamophobia
This book is set in 2003 in London. One of the overarching commentaries is about the impending war in the Middle East and and post-9/11 fears of "Islamic terrorism". The main character at times has mildly Islamophobic thoughts that are meant to be a reflection of the cultural climate at the time and some people may find this upsetting. One part of this book features threat of sexual violence.