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annacameron's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.0
Such a brilliant premise for a novel. Starting the story at one of the most horrifying scenarios one could imagine, the book is an emotional and human exploration of grief and angst. I really enjoyed the portrayals of the 2 main characters and their differing reactions to the event, and how this evolved over the passage of time. There were a few moments where I wondered where the plot was going, and I would of liked it to refocus a little more before the ending. However, I did love the final pages of the book and felt it ended perfectly. Another engaging and unique read from McEwan.
musicsaves's review against another edition
5.0
FIRST LINE REVIEW: "Subsidizing public transport had long been associated in the minds of both government and the majority of its public with the denial of individual liberty." Individual liberty is one of the dominant themes in this rather short exploration of grief and the loss of childhood (in several different forms). Intelligently, thoughtfully written.
chlodobaggins's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
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
I found this the hardest to get through of McEwan’s works that I’ve read so far. It was quite slow and was challenging and not what I expected at all! Character development was interesting and the end was surprisingly hopeful. But not my favourite.
hnw1991's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.75
dreamawakebooks's review against another edition
3.0
Stephen Lewis, a successful author of children's books, takes his 3-year-old daughter on a routine Saturday morning trip to the supermarket. While waiting in line, his attention is briefly distracted. What ensues causes Lewis to spiral into a bereavement that has effects on his relationship with his wife, his psyche and possibly time itself.
Winner of the 1987 Whitbread Prize for Fiction.
The Child in Time promises the reader a gritty crime novel involving the search for a missing child. What it delivers is political mush. The story does not focus at all on the disappearance of the child, and only somewhat on the effects of her disappearance on the lives of her family.
What it does focus on is the corruption of small time politicians and one man's descent into depression (which McEwan handles sensitively). The purpose of the book, or so it seems, is to call into question modern (for the time) perceptions of family and childhood, and what it means to be a child (is it 2.4 children, a single parent, or a couple that defines family, and should children indeed be treated as children, or merely as small adults?) McEwan perhaps entices us to face some of our own fears and expectations through the eyes of the characters contained in his novel.
The Child in Time is the second of McEwan's books I have read, and the last. Unfortunately his penchant for ridiculously long chapters, and unnecessarily descriptive sentences make his novels incredibly tedious to read (for me).
Winner of the 1987 Whitbread Prize for Fiction.
The Child in Time promises the reader a gritty crime novel involving the search for a missing child. What it delivers is political mush. The story does not focus at all on the disappearance of the child, and only somewhat on the effects of her disappearance on the lives of her family.
What it does focus on is the corruption of small time politicians and one man's descent into depression (which McEwan handles sensitively). The purpose of the book, or so it seems, is to call into question modern (for the time) perceptions of family and childhood, and what it means to be a child (is it 2.4 children, a single parent, or a couple that defines family, and should children indeed be treated as children, or merely as small adults?) McEwan perhaps entices us to face some of our own fears and expectations through the eyes of the characters contained in his novel.
The Child in Time is the second of McEwan's books I have read, and the last. Unfortunately his penchant for ridiculously long chapters, and unnecessarily descriptive sentences make his novels incredibly tedious to read (for me).
faintgirl's review against another edition
1.0
My word...what a bunch of tripe. I don't know what McEwan was thinking for this one. The main story starts off alright, with some real emotion around the loss of a child. But then he interweaves this weird story about a politician that starts acting like a kid and a trite story about the main character's parents just after the war...eurgh.
I think the thing that annoys me the most is that all McEwan's characters are so insanely privileged that they all just think too much. If Mr Writer (he's got working class roots don't you know?) had to worry about putting dinner on the table rather than missing his lessons in Arabic from his testy neighbour than perhaps we'd have a better novel. So much of this feels false. And the ending...well the ending was one of the worst I've read in the last decade. Poor show McEwan, poor show.
I think the thing that annoys me the most is that all McEwan's characters are so insanely privileged that they all just think too much. If Mr Writer (he's got working class roots don't you know?) had to worry about putting dinner on the table rather than missing his lessons in Arabic from his testy neighbour than perhaps we'd have a better novel. So much of this feels false. And the ending...well the ending was one of the worst I've read in the last decade. Poor show McEwan, poor show.
lizapavlova565's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
the_moody_reader's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
saretta82's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5