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Great book!
“Great book - seller was prompt with shipment. Book received in condition stated in description. Would recommend seller/book!”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-11-04. -
1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
I loved it!
“Well, unfortunately it was the film that made me feel the need to read this. Usually it is the other way around. The story itself was beautifully told and the lesson is drilled in from the moment the crime incident occurs. I especially loved the retelling of the war and Dunkirk. I, at 32, nor even my mother, was alive at that time... but it gave me the sense of knowing and understanding. On another note, you almost feel sad for Briony that she lived the rest of her life with a sense of regret... but the loss for Cecilia and Robbie was far greater. Lesson learned, Mr. McEwan, Thank You. <3”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-11-01. -
An Awkwardly Brilliant Novel - Undeserved Impunity
“I had to think long and hard before giving this book as many as 4 stars, and maybe one day I may regret it. But anyone who can conjure up so much hate in a reader toward a character for pages upon pages, to the extent of wanting to pull one's hair out, is certainly worthy of 4 stars despite its flaws.
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-10-06.
There were points where the tension was so fraught I had to stop to catch my breath. I simply couldn't bare the injustice Briony had caused Cecilia and Robbie.
The ending of the first act honestly left me standing, screaming, yes, yes, yes! It was brilliant, the type of fall-to-the-floor, gasping, hand-over-the-forehead drama you would only see at a Verdi Opera.
The second act seemed to be a complete and unnecessary detour. While the reader is anxious to get on with the story, we are forced to endure battle scene upon battle scene of Robbie's troops in France, which would have been fine had McEwan only spent, oh, let's say, 25 pages, instead of the more than 100 pages of what then seemed like a story losing its focus. The writing was top form and hypnotizing, but the detour from the story was entire too drastic and may have ruined the novel for many.
The end, last Act in London, what can one say; awkwardly brilliant. Wonderfully written. McEwan has a way of making you feel like you're glued to the pages. I ceased to see words, and only images, and extremely clear ones. While some may complain about the slow pace of the book, that may have been what was needed in order to create such vivid and authentic imagery.
And what's to be said of Ceclia and Robbie- star-crossed lovers. Classic tragedy at its best. I had a hollow feeling in my stomach as I read the scene with Briony celebrating her 70-somethingth birthday, and without McEwan saying so, I knew something was wrong when Ceclia and Robbie were not mentioned in the scene (the subtlety here was phenomenal). And to find out later that they died under the most tragic circumstances was just simply unfair and unjust, about as unjust as the cruel fate that was dealt them in this wonderfully disturbing novel.
And as for Briony, she deserves what she gets. No atonement for her? Oh well, maybe she'll think about that the next time she's presented with the opportunity of ruining several lives with lies poisoned by jealously.” -
1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
A Work of Art
“This is one of the most beautifully written and emotionally captivating books I've ever read.
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-08-21.
I'll be honest...I saw the movie before I read the book, but it wasn't at all difficult to get through even though I already knew the ending. The book is SO MUCH BETTER. Since the movie leaves out quite a few significant chunks, the book will have some "new" parts that you can appreciate. Ian McEwan has absolutely gorgeous prose...it's been criticized as "wordy," but I don't really agree with that. It's not nearly annoying enough to be wordy. Besides, the plot is intense and heartbreaking and the characters are well developed for the most part, even if they don't get much of a voice. If you hate his writing style, then you can rest assured that everything else is interesting enough to keep you going.
Calling McEwan an extremely gifted storyteller would be an understatement. He isn't gimmicky and he doesn't try too hard to either fit a mold, or do extreme things for attention just for the sake of being different. Even if you've already seen the movie, give the book a chance. Read the plot summary on the back cover or on Amazon, and then get started. This guy is now one of my favorite authors...his other stuff's pretty incredible too.” -
Atonement
“This was in good condition and arrived in a timely manner. Also the book was amazing and very sad. I plan to read it again.”
An amazon user wrote this on 2009-08-20.
