A review by vic_ct
Atonement by Ian McEwan
slow-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this book even though I’ve seen some super valid criticism when reading reviews after finishing. I enjoyed the slow pace of the start of the novel and the going through a single day - it was a day that changed all of their lives and the deep detail made sense and I also thought the writing was very evocative! I had no idea of the plot going in but I knew something bad was going to happen so I was on edge waiting to see what it would be.
Despite being called atonement, I’m not sure if any atoning was done. I think my biggest flag is the victim blaming following the rape and definitely a TW for rape and violence / gorey injuries.
In a way it was like reading two different books - one set on the first day and one set over a longer period of time during WWII and I don’t think I connected the characters together that well. But overall I really liked it and thought Briony and the look into upper class life in the pre war years were really interesting
Despite being called atonement, I’m not sure if any atoning was done. I think my biggest flag is the victim blaming following the rape and definitely a TW for rape and violence / gorey injuries.
In a way it was like reading two different books - one set on the first day and one set over a longer period of time during WWII and I don’t think I connected the characters together that well. But overall I really liked it and thought Briony and the look into upper class life in the pre war years were really interesting
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and War