stan_vdb's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.75
captainstabbinn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kingfan30's review against another edition
2.0
I have read 7 books by this author, the first three I really enjoyed and maybe it's a good job I read them first, from there they have dropped to an average read to this one which just didn't grab me, thankfully it was short.
naomi_hyde's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointed by this McEwan book as I often enjoy his writing style and niche plots, but this one didn't seem to have the same depth and character development as others. Yes it is a short story, but so was On Chesil Beach, which I thought was one of his best.
I thought the revelation of the black dog mystery was odd but not very exciting or momentous, when the whole book had been building up to it - I expected something a bit more. Characters were good, but we did not get the usual depth and background as McEwan typically gives, so the book ended up falling a bit shallow and boring in my opinion.
I thought the revelation of the black dog mystery was odd but not very exciting or momentous, when the whole book had been building up to it - I expected something a bit more. Characters were good, but we did not get the usual depth and background as McEwan typically gives, so the book ended up falling a bit shallow and boring in my opinion.
al_capwned's review against another edition
3.0
Although I enjoyed the story, I kept having the feeling that something is missing.
karina_m's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bobbo49's review against another edition
3.0
While the story itself is not particularly compelling, it is well written, and along the way shares some absolutely brilliant reflections on life, looked at from the days approaching an ending. How we look back at, and perceive, those younger selves and relationships - in pictures and in memories - and how our children's children will look at them, in the years to come.
ladulcinella's review against another edition
4.0
This is far from the best novel by Ian McEwan. But even in a less novel, I think he still merits 4 stars. As allways the writing is clear, elegant and compelling.
The reason I felt it was less than some other books, was the overflow of themes and subjects. The book sometimes gives the impression of a story meandering on while touching difficult ideas, yet not taking the time to really dig into them.
Essentially it is about how people sometimes love eachother very much and yet do not (want to?) understand the other and are unable to build a life together. About how people remember things in a very different way and the illusions of the past we all have.
The reason I felt it was less than some other books, was the overflow of themes and subjects. The book sometimes gives the impression of a story meandering on while touching difficult ideas, yet not taking the time to really dig into them.
Essentially it is about how people sometimes love eachother very much and yet do not (want to?) understand the other and are unable to build a life together. About how people remember things in a very different way and the illusions of the past we all have.
halftimelord's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0