Ian McEwanGenre: Fiction
Published: 2001
Personal Rating: 2.5/5
Yearly Count: 49
Set in an upper-middle class English home, 13-year-old Briony witnesses an event that leads to the changing of numerous lives - including her own.
I read and listened to this book. The manner in which the story unfolds did not hold my attention in the handheld version, so I switched to just listening to it. The actual plotline became ridiculous; however, there were parts that I found interesting and actually enjoyable, but for the most part, there was just too much blah, blah, blah for nothin'.
18 Readers' Thoughts:
Finally someone else who didn't love this book! I couldn't stand it - and wasn't even sure what the ending was supposed to mean, if I remember correctly. I have no desire to see the movie, either.
Oops - the above comment was me: Mommy Brain: http://carrie.homeschooljournal.net
I, too, was quite disappointed with this book. It definitely didn't live up to all of the hype.
I quite liked the middle bit but I disliked Briony throughout the story and found the ending very unsatisfying. I'm kind of curious about the film but also not at the same time! :P
I liked the film whilst thinking it had been overrated, but haven't read the book. I will at some point, but I am not in any rush. It will only be to fill in some of the gaps that bothered me while watching the film.
I read Atonement about 5 years ago and didn't enjoy it much either. I didn't rate it as I read it before I started rating books but I probably would have given it the same rating as you did. I watched the movie a couple of weekends ago and surprisingly actually enjoyed it more than the book.
I was under the impression this was a great book, but the more reviews I read, the more I realize people do not like it! Hmm, maybe I should cross this one off my list...
Oh, thank you, Joy! This is one of those books I kept thinking I "should" read, but really didn't want to. Now I've got a reason to just go with my gut.
Carrie ~ I have no desire to see the movie either.
Jill ~ Yeah, I don't get that. Where does all that hype come from anyway???
Tanabata ~ There were parts I really liked, but not enough for me to like the whole book.
Rhinoa ~ I think the movie would be better in this case. The book had some very slooooooooowwwwwww parts.
Pamela ~ I can see how it would be better in movie form, but I still have no desire to see it.
Charley ~ I don't understand why people "love it". I'm thinking it's a McEwan-thing. ??? Although, it wasn't awful. There are bits here and there that were very interesting. It's not a total wash. :)
Debi ~ I agree. I'd go with my gut, if I were you. :) Almost everytime I don't listen to my gut, I end up disappointed. Sometimes a push is helpful. We end up reading new things and loving them. But...there's a push that is a gentle nudge (good) and then there's the all-out shove (bad). No shoving allowed! :)
I tried to read the book a long time ago but couldn't get into it. However, I loved the movie. I am hoping to try the book again at some point.
Oh, I'm sorry you didn't like this one! The middle section, when Robby was at war, is the part that I struggled with, but overall I really enjoyed it. Too bad.
Atonement ~ It interesting to hear that the movie was better than the book, but I can see how that would be the case with this one.
Trish ~ I'm glad I was able to finish it with the audiobook. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped.
Teddy Rose ~ LOL That's too funny! The "Atonement" comment was meant for you. :)
Wow. Am I the only one here who loved this book? It was my #1 read the year I read it. I've read others by McEwan but this is the only one that I loved. (I liked Saturday quite a bit, but not as much as Atonement).
Briony is an unlikeable character, but I loved the descriptive writing. As I love books about WWII, I especially enjoyed the middle section about Dunkirk. Go figure! ;)
Finally someone else that didn't like this book! I always feel like an odd one out in my opinion on Atonement.
Les ~ I liked McEwan's descriptive writing in On Chesil Beach, but I was drowning in it with this one. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood. ???
Nyssaneala ~ Glad I could be in your company. :) Actually, I wish I did like it more. Oh well.
Wow!! And I thought my book club was the only group that did not like this book. I think its another case of too much hype--both before and after the movie came out. I couldn't even read it. I tried, but just couldn't do it. And of those in our group who did read it and finish it, they struggled with the middle section as well. I really wanted to like this one, but just didn't enjoy it.
Holly ~ We win some and we lose some. Then, move on to the next!
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