A review by steve_32
Lessons by Ian McEwan

5.0

Lessons is a great novel that takes us through history with the life of one man, Roland. Roland is sent away to a boarding school by his military father. At the time of the Cuban Missile crisis when Roland is 14 he finds himself at a piano lesson with Mrs Cornell, who is 25, and whose interest in Roland is a bit more than teaching him to play the piano. Mrs Cornell is controlling and grooming Roland and the affair culminates with her wanting to take Roland, who is now 16, to Scotland so they can get married which results in Roland realising he must get away from her. Roland drifts through life affected by this earlier relationship.
This is a long novel with historical events forming the backdrop to Roland’s life. Many of these events have an impact on his life such as the end of the Cold War and the crossing of the Berlin Wall. Through all the events Roland muddles through as most of us do.
A wonderful read.