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bibliobethreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
scrollingbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Without a doubt a worthy book...just not for me.
This is my first Ian McEwan book so I wasn't sure what to expect.
'Lessons' tells us Roland's life story from start to finish, and how the people around him interact to influence his decisions and actions. The book ducks and dive, switching between times and places, with the common thread of Roland's memories, thoughts, and reflections - sometimes on personal events and often on political ones.
This is a clever, thought-provoking book, but this is part of its problem - it's a little too contrived, a little too clever. For me it is two books masquerading as one, with Roland's personal story, and then another book concerning world events. That the author weaves them together is, yes, hugely skillful, but at the same time intrusive.
There is undoubtedly some beautiful prose, but it feels as if it's there to be admired, rather than inherently part of the story. In short, for me, this book feels pretentious. The read started out as a 5 star, slipped to 4 star, and finished at 3.5 because I ended up skipping long passages about the end of the Tory government and the arrival of New Labour. Yes, I did find the book thought-provoking, and yet yes I did learn from it, but maybe not what the author intended in that it made me realize how much I read for pleasure, rather than to feel angsty.
Oh yes, one thing I did notice. The book is in 3 parts, and part 3 started exactly two-thirds (66%) of the way through. Now that takes skill! ;-)
This is my first Ian McEwan book so I wasn't sure what to expect.
'Lessons' tells us Roland's life story from start to finish, and how the people around him interact to influence his decisions and actions. The book ducks and dive, switching between times and places, with the common thread of Roland's memories, thoughts, and reflections - sometimes on personal events and often on political ones.
This is a clever, thought-provoking book, but this is part of its problem - it's a little too contrived, a little too clever. For me it is two books masquerading as one, with Roland's personal story, and then another book concerning world events. That the author weaves them together is, yes, hugely skillful, but at the same time intrusive.
There is undoubtedly some beautiful prose, but it feels as if it's there to be admired, rather than inherently part of the story. In short, for me, this book feels pretentious. The read started out as a 5 star, slipped to 4 star, and finished at 3.5 because I ended up skipping long passages about the end of the Tory government and the arrival of New Labour. Yes, I did find the book thought-provoking, and yet yes I did learn from it, but maybe not what the author intended in that it made me realize how much I read for pleasure, rather than to feel angsty.
Oh yes, one thing I did notice. The book is in 3 parts, and part 3 started exactly two-thirds (66%) of the way through. Now that takes skill! ;-)
reboocka's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
4.0
A true return to form from a writer who has delighted and disappointed me over the years in almost equal measure. I love books that offer a broad summation of a life. The protagonist here lives through many historic moments that shape his life; as do the women in it. The humanity and compassion on display is particularly moving and Lessons is beautiful if bloated.
rosy_carolynne's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emilyada11's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
dawnradda's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
sigmer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.75
aylart's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
The innocent, wholesome boy, the cocky teenager, the lost young-adult, the still searching middle-aged man, and the old man, finally somewhat resigned and trying to make sense of it all.
This book drew me in more and more the longer I read. It confirmed what I like most about books: characters you get to know and love, who feel real and evolve over time. And a larger story or feeling told through these characters.
This book drew me in more and more the longer I read. It confirmed what I like most about books: characters you get to know and love, who feel real and evolve over time. And a larger story or feeling told through these characters.