Shelfari: The Site for Books & ReadersShelfari Logo

On Chesil Beach: A Novel
 

On Chesil Beach: A Novel

by Ian McEwan

Such is Ian McEwan's genius that, despite rambling nature walks and the naming of birds, his subject matter remains hermetically sealed in the hearts of two people.
It is 1962 when Edward and Florence, 23 and 22 respectively, marry and repair to a hotel on the Dorset coast for their honeymoon. They are both virgins, both apprehensive about what's next and in Florence's case, utterly... (read more)

Top tags: fiction,  england,  british,  sexuality,  literary fiction (all tags)

Readers

Groups

  • What are you reading? Discussion Group
  • FrugalReader.com Members Discussion Group
  • BEA Lit Insiders Discussion Group
  • 50 Book Challenge! Discussion Group
  • Bob's Books Discussion Group
  • Whats the Best Books You've read? Discussion Group

Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (1)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

N3v
  • Rated 4 stars

“I really liked it. I had seen a few bits of a couple of reviews which said it wasn't any good so I didn't expect much (but I read Atonement just a few weeks ago and loved it).

The story itself is rather sweet but turns sour, and by giving us flashbacks of the time before Flo and Edward had met one can understand their re-actions better. I still didn't like Flo's closed off personality. I tried to reason with the fact that her father abused her but that still didn't make me like her...”

N3v’s full review »
more reviews »

Didn’t Like It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
Darlene
  • Rated 1 stars

“What a boring little book about 2 sexually naive, repressed young people. The 60's weren't THAT long ago.”

Darlene’s full review »
more reviews »
Community:
  • Rated 3.540786 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Kate S

    kate s said:

    “A short but compelling read. Depicts a tragic lack of communication between newleyweds in a time when sex was a taboo subject. Illustrates jus how much times have changed!”

    posted Thursday, June 12 2008
  • Amanda H

    amanda h said:

    “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
  • Rachel B

    rachel b said:

    “I thought this was an interesting story. A very quick read, and pretty depressing. Makes you think about the importance of communication and openness!”

    posted Sunday, January 20 2008
  • Rachel B

    rachel b said:

    “I thought this was an interesting story. A very quick read, and pretty depressing. Makes you think about the importance of communication and openness!”

    posted Sunday, January 20 2008
  • Rachel B

    rachel b said:

    “I thought this was an interesting story. A very quick read, and pretty depressing. Makes you think about the importance of communication and openness!”

    posted Sunday, January 20 2008
© 2008 Tastemakers, Inc. | Portions of Shelfari.com are Copyright © 1996-2008 Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy