Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - On Chesil Beach

Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

16 reviews

sholtie's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

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scholastic_squid's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

Huh….
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.

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fatkidatheartreads's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

"This is how the entire course of a life can be changed –by doing nothing."

"He was discovering that being in love was not a steady state, but a matter of fresh surges or waves, and he was experiencing one now."

Gritty. Unflinching. Uncomfortable. McEwan's writing moves you then haunts you for decades to come. I felt that with 'Atonement' and I'm definitely going to be feeling the same about 'On Chesil beach.'

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funguscreature's review against another edition

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challenging medium-paced

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

3.0

as an asexual, this was an interesting read, and a very difficult one. a rare, well explained ace character and graphic sexual detail. im glad i read it, and it's definitely a good book, but i cant imagine ever reading it again.

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snipsnipsnip's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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gaia_dea's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

I have to admit that I watched the film a few years ago, so I went into this book already knowing what the story revolved on, but still, McEwan's writing style never disappoints. In this novel, he explores some quite recurring topics such as the relativity of truth, the inability to communicate feelings, the pressure, and the "unspoken rules" of society.
In this case, we see those themes through the story of two young adults Florence and Edward entirely in love with each other, or at least that is what they initially thought before the first honeymoon night. They never really confront, never truly discuss their desires, aspirations, or what they would prefer to be done in a different way instead of just following conventions. Even when completely alone, they were never able to forget the conventional boundaries, always afraid to be misunderstood, and perceived as weird.
We also get a grasp of both their families, dysfunctional and problematic in many ways, this condition only aggravating their fear of judgment.
Sexual inexperience and ignorance (due to 1960s British education, social upbringing, and religion) are also quite prominent themes in this story, to the point where they represent the actual breaking point of the couple.

They may have been happy together, on their terms, but only with a different awareness which, unfortunately, was quite impossible at that time.

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