“The focus of this short novel is a disastrous wedding night in 1962. But short though the novel is, McEwan takes his time describing and examining, almost caressing in language the moments that make up the beginning and end of this marriage. The novel is everything that the wedding night in question is not: exacting, clear, insightful and sensitive in its examination of the elements in play.
Edward’s problem is that he is too fiery and reacts too quickly. Florence’s flaw is that she is too cerebral, too slow to burn. The story tells the tragedy of a generation, which took too much to heart the extremes of male and female sensibility.
Above all, this novel is a portrait of two lovers caught between the 50’s and the 60’s. The interaction between them is caught at this cusp. It is a story of the inability to communicate, communicated ludicly from back story to present moment. Ian McEwan has written a novel short enough to engage, and considered enough to satisfy. He makes love to the modern reader of literary fiction, and he delivers! I am in awe of his artistry, insight and craftsmanship. His best novel yet!”
posted Saturday, February 2 2008