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Most Helpful Reviews
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Liked It “I think I've heard this one before too, many years ago. An intriguing story, but not particularly worthwhile or interesting characters unfortunately. Fabulous, fabulous setting.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Disturbing. Short book but wasn't worth the effort.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“I think I've heard this one before too, many years ago. An intriguing story, but not particularly worthwhile or interesting characters unfortunately. Fabulous, fabulous setting.”
Lesley B wrote this review 11 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Disturbing. Short book but wasn't worth the effort.”
Lynn M wrote this review Monday, September 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Creepy.
mjs wrote this review Saturday, July 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“a novel of obsession set in Venice. claustrophobic, infatuated, shocking and as usual with McEwan unflinchingly disturbing. with intended echoes of Mann's Death in Venice.”
Jason wrote this review Sunday, June 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Well done. Love this writer.”
Judy S wrote this review Sunday, March 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A good, quick read, but not his best.”
LizO wrote this review Wednesday, March 25 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“He had an interesting story going but it became increasingly implausible -- I mean, come on, wouldn't people such as these eventually listen to their internal radar and get away from the guy?
John S wrote this review Wednesday, January 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
A larger problem is the writing; on the one hand, it's beautiful English. But it's written so self-consciously ("Look how beautifully I can write!") that I think he was more interested in showing his talents off than in developing the story. My reaction to the ending of the story was: "That's sad; whatever."”
“this is my first of McEwan and found the language and the treatment to the theme different which is refreshing...emphasis is more on discription of theme than charecters..a page turner in all sense...thin in volume which is cunning of McEvan otherwise it would have diluted the story...it does not explain the reasons for dying interest in colin and mary in each other...is it vintage or monotony remains unclear till end when "rogue robert's rude intrusion" becomes instrumental in melting the ice resulting in their rediscovery of each other and before they could really live it full the end comes which is violent...but i always thought the intimacy, including physical,between two lovers is always a 'state of mind' more than anything else...little confused at the end...liked only because it sets you thinking...”
SILVERLINE wrote this review Tuesday, November 18 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Brilliant!!!!”
suma v wrote this review Thursday, August 14 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“The Comfort of Strangers reminds us all not to take candy from strangers. =P Colin and Mary find the heat of their seven year romance gone, and although they are still as close as siblings even a trip abroad can’t seem to revive their old feelings. When they meet the suspicious Robert and his wife Caroline, however, their relationship troubles fade into the background.
Peach wrote this review Friday, August 8 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This slim volume is very creepy. An underlying difference between men and women is posited and taken to the extreme. Violence, sexuality, and obsession come into play, with almost Freudian explanations of the connection between childhood experiences and adult neuroses.
I enjoyed this book — for me, it was a page turner. However, for whatever reason, McEwan doesn’t develop characters as much as he develops themes in this book. While Colin’s beauty is discussed in detail, a lot of information about Mary’s life seems purposely held back or given at the last minute (such as the ages of her children and her physical appearance). This was the first McEwan that I read and I enjoyed it, but it seemed both roughly placed and very implausible in turn.”
