adrien's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
kubilayfidanverdi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
adambwriter's review against another edition
3.0
Book Review Template
Final Verdict: 3.0 out of 4.0
YTD: 3
Plot/Story:
3 – Plot/Story is interesting & believable.
Jack is fifteen. He lives with his parents and three siblings, one older sister (Julie), a younger sister (Sue) and younger brother (Tom). The family seems relatively typical, at first, but the children all turn out to have their bizarre, disturbing quirks, which manifest themselves after the unexpected death of their father and slow, sickly death of their mother just two months later. The kids, worried about being separated from one another and taken from their home, commit an almost unfathomable act. They live together, with this secret, in demented fashion, until Julie’s slighted boyfriend, Derek, discovers the truth and puts it all to an end. The Cement Garden is comparable only to V.C. Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic but, since these kids act the way they do almost naturally, and certainly willingly, the story is even more perverse and troubling than the horror that Andrews created in her own thriller.
For full review, visit www.roofbeamreader.net
Final Verdict: 3.0 out of 4.0
YTD: 3
Plot/Story:
3 – Plot/Story is interesting & believable.
Jack is fifteen. He lives with his parents and three siblings, one older sister (Julie), a younger sister (Sue) and younger brother (Tom). The family seems relatively typical, at first, but the children all turn out to have their bizarre, disturbing quirks, which manifest themselves after the unexpected death of their father and slow, sickly death of their mother just two months later. The kids, worried about being separated from one another and taken from their home, commit an almost unfathomable act. They live together, with this secret, in demented fashion, until Julie’s slighted boyfriend, Derek, discovers the truth and puts it all to an end. The Cement Garden is comparable only to V.C. Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic but, since these kids act the way they do almost naturally, and certainly willingly, the story is even more perverse and troubling than the horror that Andrews created in her own thriller.
For full review, visit www.roofbeamreader.net
laurelinwonder's review against another edition
5.0
McEwan has a way of getting right into the guts of his characters and readers. "Atonement" made me gasp, and surprised me, this made me imagine a world ruled by four siblings after the deaths of their parents. It's less "Lord of the Flies" and more "The Dreamers" by Gilbert Adair light. Light because the kids are so much younger, and their issues different and class also comes into this. It's not the lascivious novel some may assume it is, but if teen sexuality makes you uppity, move along. If not, stay for the writing, for the plot that isn't cookie cutter, and for the what ifs that play out.
dog_eared_'s review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
olijeffery's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ladyelderberry's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
bundy23's review against another edition
5.0
I finally found a McEwan book I liked. I was starting to think that this day would never arrive.
teawithpanda's review against another edition
1.0
Reminded me of The Blue Lagoon. Felt like it just dragged on, and it's only a hundred and something pages. Turns out reading what 14/15 yr old British boys are thinking about isn't so interesting. Though I did find it interesting the way he wrote so matter-of-factly about each subject: death and incest. The gross out moment for me though besides the last few pages, was the scene with the bad smell coming from the trunk in the cellar. Oh, geeeeeeeeze.