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1 of 1 members found this review helpful.It made me think for days...
“On Chesil Beach made me think for days of the poor souls who just couldn't quite complete their connection with each. About half way through the story, I was a little unsure of the path the book would take but at that defining moment my heart burned for them to figure each other out. The resulting frustration and inability to communicate ruined a future for these tragic souls. Her walk down the beach, alone, made me yearn for someone's action. For both of them 9C will always be empty, just like their hearts.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-11-05. -
I WANTED TO THROW THIS STORY ACROSS THE ROOM!!!
“This book describes when times were innocent, how things were left unspoken and why people trudged on without clear understanding. Written in 2007 not 1957. When most women were still virgins when they wed. They were frightened of their husbands on their wedding night!!!!!
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-10-26.
Such an old fashion story which doesn't seem to get anywhere. His other book ATONEMENT was excellent. But this really should not have got to the printer should have stayed in draft stage.
Ian McEwan writes very well but the subject matter this time was a failure. This story is just an OK.
I bought this on audio. CD1 1 star, CD2 2 stars, CD 3 & 4 3 stars.
Ian McEwan himself narrated the story and he did a wonderful job of that.
At the end of the audio there is an interview with the author and I enjoyed that more than the story. I started to feel sorry for him he sounded so lovely in the interview and I wanted to give him a 2 star before I heard the interview. So 4 star for Narration 4 star for the interview. average final stars are 3 star.
Please don't waste your money on this audio, go and buy ANTONEMENT instead far superior!!!
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Realities of one marriage....
“This is a very sad and depressing novella. Ian McEwan tells the story of a young couple who marry and then are unable to consumate their marriage due to the young woman's utter terror at the possibility and the young man's inability to comprehend the situation. When they are dating they feel the need to marry in order to conform to their idea of a successful life, but the realities of what is needed for a marriage to flourish, understanding, patience, honesty, are the qualities that they do not possess. When they run into thier"brick wall" in their marital bed, they make no effort to cope with the issue but instead go their seperate ways, resigned to the failure as an acceptable alternative to breaking down the barriers they have built.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-10-11. -
A beautifully written sad little story
“Once again McEwan demonstrates his considerable literary talent in this short novel. McEwan is a master at developing an armature or structure in his novels on which he fully explores the emotions and aspirations of his characters but also allows for a building of suspense. In this novel he does this by starting at the honeymoon of a young couple but then constructing their pasts and motivations step by step to take us back to the scene of their first night together on their honeymoon. The two primary characters are described so well as to making the reader feel they know them both, but the reader is also given knowledge of their pasts and their state of mind that the couple has not share with each other. Edward is from modest means who is very bright and has earned an academic degree whereas Florence is from a more prominent family with social and economic connections. This is especially the case for Florence for she holds back a secret from Edward throughout their courtship that could have disastrous results. The marital partnership requires more candor and knowing of the other party than Florence is able to muster. The twist to this novel is that McEwan is able to keep the reader on the knife edge between break-through reconciliation and frustrated exasperation in the case of this young couple.
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-10-08.
This young couple professes to love one another but McEwan explores how that love may in fact be projections of the self, of imagination, of loving an image or dream of another person but not the full person. Sexual intercourse is a prerequisite for full knowledge and McEwan explores how sexual knowledge can break through the dreamy projections one may have built in their mind of their loved one. By saving sexual intercourse until after a long courtship, this couple has put too many chips onto one roll of the dice.
As is the case with all McEwan's novels, it is beautifully written. When I read his work it is almost feels effortless to me, as if I am reading my own thoughts. He does this by careful words crafting where in the final piece, not a single word is out of place or ill chosen. That he combines this skill with masterful character development and sequencing of plot makes him one of the most outstanding living writers.
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0 of 1 members found this review helpful.
a short, simple story that is masterfully well written
“'On Chesil Beach' is really a very basic story about two British newlyweds circa 1963 who "have issues" on their wedding night. Ian McEwan, who always writes so beautifully, does a superb job in going into detail about this couple and how their lives lead up to this momentous night. My only disappointment is that it ended all too soon! That is, not too much is said about what happens after that night. I felt slightly cheated and disappointed.
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-10-05.
Bottom line: delicious literary brain food. Recommended.”
