On Chesil Beach: A Novel (edit title)

• Rated 0 stars

“Bizarre story of two newlyweds who have trouble consummating their marriage. Did not like the author's writing style. Again...bizarre and depressing. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“My least favorite of his novels thus far. One poignant segment-- about page 81 when Edward speaks of his family. I'd like to read a book, instead, about the lives of Lionel and Marjorie. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“Didn't finish”

• Rated 5 stars

“Honest, beautiful and brutal at the same time.”

• Rated 2 stars

“Recommended to me by my father... I think this book just really annoyed me. Or the characters did. But it wasn't the really passionate, shouting at the book/telly frustration I've had with other books, just a kind of mild annoyance at their lack of communication. I did think it was made more interesting because of the era it was set in-1960's just on the brink of the sexual revolution-but had it not been for that I think that I would have given up a few pages in. Didn't inspire me to read any other books by Ian McEwan.”

• Rated 4 stars

“This is a book that deserves a second read to pick up the McEwan nuances and poignancy that you cannot perfectly understand until the ending is revealed.
A poignant beautiful book - makes you fully aware of a time so long ago it could almost be set two centuries ago.”

• Rated 0 stars

“Ah, well, Ian McEwan. It's not fair for one man to have so much to say and such a beautiful voice to say it with. Yikes! It's a little scary. What I particularly like here is the feeling of inevitable doom that echoes Hardy. We know that these characters are trapped as surely as Tess and Angel by who and what they are. We want them to rise above the inevitable and be happy, but who can do that? Wonderfully written. Grade: A-.”

• Rated 0 stars

“I never thought someone could write a whole book - small as it may be - centered around a single evening. I believe it must have been a fun challenge for the author, and can picture a small grin on his face the day it was published.”

• Rated 0 stars

“very good book, great for discussion”

• Rated 2 stars

“I wanted to shake this couple-newly weds at an English beach hotel on their wedding night, caught up in mid 20th century social prudery and unspoken expectations. Like the characters in Trevor's short stories, they are unable to express their deep feelings. Opportunities for real life slip by. They've never heard of "carpe diem". ”