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amris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
readingbetweenthenotes's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Sexual content
emilyada11's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Sexual content
sholtie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Much of the content surrounds sexual expectations and miscommunication, though the main sexual encounter is entered into consensually. There is brief mention/allusion to sexual abuse of one of the main characters as a child, though it is not the main focus of the bookidailf's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Incest and Sexual content
scholastic_squid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
My mind is churning through thoughts and feelings about this short novel that takes place all in one day with a brief recap of the male leads (Edward) life at the end.
Florence and Edward meet by chance one day, and Edward takes the leap of pursuing her. The pursuit, hinging on that one decision, leads to their wedding night and having to perform the marital duties in the hotel bed.
Florence recalls her memories of falling in love with Edward, and Edward recollects in the same fashion. Edward, being the culmination of the male upbringing is focus on consummation and how wonderful it’ll be, how they may go on to have children, and how even though he’s tried to coax Florence into being more intimate over their relationship (which didn’t work) that she cannot deny it tonight.
Florence, on the other hand, is in a spiral of denial and fear, which we learn within a sentence as to why she would rightfully feel so uncomfortable. Edward was not reason, and he respected her decision of not going further but always tried to place a kiss here or there, or leave a hand near her more intimate areas. (Side note: his inexperience as well sounded horrendous with the way he touched her on that confusing night lolol which I’m sure many of us can relate with)
The story continues with their night and reactions as well as a confrontational response from each. The book portrays the lack of understanding between a couple in the 1960’s and how it is very much the method of “let’s never talk so we don’t have to deal with our emotions” and watching it backfire. Honestly, it sounds very much like the boomer mindset about pretty much everything lol. Also, I would argue it shows a lack of awareness from figures outside the family.. Florence may have found help with a therapist for her trauma and/or been able to learn more about her sexuality. Although I believe the author would argue she is not asexual, which may be true, the way Florence alludes to herself and feelings briefly, if only for the fleeting moment, it seems like she might be. Again.. it was the 1960’s so obviously there wasn’t much in the way of acceptance… also, Edwards response to her finally opening up just makes me upset that he chose to shut her out and not try to work through it.
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
I provided content warning since it alludes to a situation of such abuse, and in the interview with the author he does state it’s part of Florence’s fear of future intimacy.knkoch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
watermelleon's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I watched the film when it came out, so already knew what to expect. I have never ever cried so much in a cinema. I initially watched it at a time of crisis, hoping for an answer on a long resolved question. Reading this now felt very cathartic, and in some ways more painful than before as I continue on in the world.
Edward is so much more horrible than I remember him. He represented to me all of the things I hate about the attitudes of men that I have come to know since, especially those that are raised by emotionally illiterate parents.
Florence seemed more empowered than I remembered her. Absolutely, she is naive and absorbed the messages that the world will push into young women, but she knows what she wants and ultimately gets it. Not in a girl-queen boss way, but in a silently marching on and smiling way.
We meet these two all too real characters on their wedding night. This is not a happy story, but a cautionary tale on the importance of communication, and the inability to communicate in a time on the cusp of an era of freedom, that still witholds all of the previous guilt and oppression of the generation before.
I was very impressed by mcewan's writing throughout, his gross metaphors integrated into everything that could make you feel uncomfortable about the topic yourself. It felt very much that he understood both Florence and Edward extremely well, with incredible anxiety ridden pacing which felt like a sequence of events unfolding in real time.
Its a short book, and just like the marriage of Florence and Edward there is so much more to say.
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
lidia7's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Homophobia, Mental illness, Vomit, and Death of parent
christynhoover's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
An "epilogue" chapter expresses the thoughts/feelings of one of the individuals ~8 years after the fact and it adds an important layer of compassion onto the whole story. A quote from the book and perhaps a hint of its tone: "The entire course of a life can be changed by doing nothing."
In the audiobook version there is a 30 min interview with the author that adds a lot to appreciation of the story.
Graphic: Sexual content
One brief sexual scene on wedding night.