- to the women and girls, is the female perspective plausible in your opinion? -- mat, 09:42:16 02/05/10 Fri
Hi there again
I just found out that the question I asked in the previous post has been discussed in the archives. However, some other burning question has arisen and I hope it's a novel one:
If you are a woman or a girl, did you find Ian McEwans girl's perspective, in the case of Briony, or woman's perspective, in the case of Caesilia or Emily, plausible and authentic? Were there passages you read which prompted you to think: "this is exactly like it feels being a girl or woman?" Or to the opposite effect when you had to shake your head and thought that the male perspective shone through? Can you please indicate these passages? I'm very keen to know.
Thank you very much
Best wishes
Mat
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- Does Paul and Lola have sex in the house before the twins disappearance? -- Mat, 08:57:58 02/05/10 Fri
Hi everybody
Recently, I have been reading and re-reading Atonement, which I think is an absolute wonderful book, what a masterpiece. It's such a rich, multi-layered novel that keeps surprising me. Especially the relationship between Lola and Paul is intriguing. I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks that their sexual encounter began already in the house, when the twins were taking a bath. We experience what is going on through Emily's perspective in chapter six: "there was a little squeal of laughter abruptly smothered."
Later in chapter eleven, we learn that Lola is quite badly bruised up to her elbows and Paul claims that the twins were to blame for it when they aren't at the table any more to contradict that claim. In my opinion, the bruised elbows could also indicate that Paul and Lola have had quite violent sex in the house.
Would love to hear your opinion on that.
Mat
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Atonement, The Child in Time -- Yana Kalcheva (just contemplative), 14:30:45 12/01/09 Tue
I wrote a piece of coursework on 'Atonement' and worked on in for 2 months. I read 'The Child in Time' and 'Enduring Love' to have a broader perspective. It gave me quite some time to ponder on Ian McEwan's work. Much as I want to like it, I can't help feeling that the novels are written for the critics and that the plot and characters carry no personal significance to the author. When I try to imagine McEwan's thoughts and feelings while writing the novels I see only a desire to be clever and erudite and to impress. Is this reason enough to write? What does he want to give to his audience? I know that a lot of people adore his work. But I feel that each sentence has been premeditated in a cold, calculative way and that the author is trying to assert himself as a classicist, by imitating the classicists, by using a complex formula, combining all literary elements that are considered intellectual and moving. I encounter intelligence and erudition when I read, but above all a sort of cynicism, which is particularly ugly, because it is not outspoken. I wanted to ask, presuming that most people would not agree, what do you like about Ian McEwan? And what is your reaction to the opinion that I have expressed?
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- Annabel -- Ciara Kathleen Callaghan, 07:31:10 01/18/10 Mon
Im extremely curious as to whom Annabella is several of McEwan's books are dedicated to her.
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Saturday - Teamwork? -- atn, 10:48:09 01/08/10 Fri
Just read Saturday. Loved it. What a book. McEwan is incredible. I love how each paragraph is a self-contained story with beginning, middle and spectacular end. The book is perfect from beginning to end. Except for 1 thing! I wish McEwan had gone into more depth when he states that there's something deeply satisfying about the operation. He mentions a few options that may be the cause of the satisfaction. One of them is the team work. So why is that satisfying? Yes, I agree, sometimes you're part of a team that does something and there's a strong sense of elation that you would not get on your own. Why is that? Maybe you feel accepted by a group and will therefore be protected by it, which is deeply reassuring. Maybe you've demonstrated your skills and again feel accepted because you're worth something to them. I wish McEwan had added just 1 more sentence about this the way only he can! Maybe it's not too late?
Thank you.
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- scientific interests -- teresa antoja (life full of science), 07:54:46 05/25/08 Sun
I am reading the fascinating Enduring Love. It is incredible that a writer has done so well in mixing literature and scientific issues. I am writing a short report about it and I would like to know how did Ian McEwan become so interested (and so informed!) in science or any particular thing that could help me. I only know that he usually reads Scientific American.
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- the daydreamer -- Dada, 03:52:10 11/13/09 Fri
Hello, I come from the Czech republic and I've chosen The Daydreamer for my essay but I have to work with 3 sources - at least 2 books about the Daydreamer. Could you please recommend me some criticisme where Daydreamer is mentioned?
Thanks
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Thank You Ian... -- Zara (Upset), 16:26:19 11/04/09 Wed
What a wonder is English Literature, yet the sole exception: studying Enduring Love has completely diminished my love for anything "beautifully written" - Surprisingly said by A.S Byatt, who lives in Putney. Fancy that, South London is on your map. Ironic? Best friends?
Back to subject. I am Constantly referring to the rationalist Joe, the "Christ-like" Jed, and the passionate Keat's Scholar Clarissa.
Thank you Ian, you've turned thousands of students against the love of english. I wonder if this was a conspiracy. Good job. Bravo. The only less-than-sarcastic comment is how wonderful it is to write complete tosh in the essays. "The persistant nature of the semantic field of science creates vast irony with the issues of Christ and Darwin frequently discussed through the manner of Joe's mind, which resembles Jed in an almost shadowing persona"
Seriously. We are now studying Othello. In stark contrast, the class has awakened. Thank God for the black ram. (no pun)
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- Poen in Saturday -- Peter, 09:07:45 03/29/08 Sat
In teh novel "Fahrenheit 451" Montag recides a poem to his woman and two of her friends. This poem ist "Dover Beach".After he has finished, a woman starts to cry. In "Saturday" there is barely the same scene. Is this just random our is ist the authors intention to have a comparrison?
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- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Dsusan (Confused), 20:43:00 09/12/09 Sat
I was shocked when I read: ... I also felt as if we were being deliberately and cunningly kept in the dark by McEwan on this; even she had shut the details out from her waking thoughts and contemplations and so, we as mere readers, were not privy to her secrets either. Brilliant!
Is Ian a she? If so I'm so sorry ... i missed that totally, or is the she in question, Florence?
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- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Dsusan, 20:34:06 09/12/09 Sat
In reading your response: My first reading of this book, I missed any allusions to sexual abuse by Florence's father; but then I listened to Ian McKewan's interview and he says there was sexual abuse;also he says that he nearly added into the latter part of the novel that Edward (in his later years) sees an article in the paper about her father being arrested for sexual abuse of a teenager, but decided against including it. I listened to the audiobook all over again trying to "hear" intimations of sexual abuse by Florence's father, but it is far too restrained if it is there at all.I love the novel, but wish the issue of abuse had been just a bit clearer to the reader (not in the way it is in most novels nowadays, because that would have been "out of the character of that age," but just some little bit more of an indication. I have to state that it was too clear to those who lived though it... to have stated it any clearer may not have been the best for all readers. That you were willing to go back and look for it says lots good about you. Thanks for caring.
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Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Dsusan (thoughtful), 20:15:12 09/12/09 Sat
IN reading your remarks: As a survivor of sexual abuse, it appeared very clear to me that there was impropriety between Florence and her father. The message I have just read on this site is the first time I have seen or heard of anyone mentioning this. A lot of people I have heard talk about this book have said a woman would not react as Florence did...A pity that Florence's husband was quite so 'trouser orientated'. How did you know Ian, that a woman could react in this way? Beautiful writing and thankyou Ian for all your books., I am begining to wonder if the author left the topic of abuse out intentionally,so as to allow the reader to process their own issues and there own healing through the reading without forcefeeding the concept of abuse on innocent minds who have never experienced abuse. Only a surviver, or one who loved a surviver, would recognize the work. How he knew a woman could react this way is very clear to me. . . he loved a woman who reacted this way enough to learn to see it from her perspective. Rare is the woman, much less the man who is able to make that journey... if I am in error, is it because he to is a surviver?
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- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Dsusan, 20:01:56 09/12/09 Sat
I have to agree. I also wonder at what point the author came to realize the sexual abuse existed... since it was mentioned in the interview taped and released with the book.
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Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Dsusan (Educated by 6sheep), 19:56:29 09/12/09 Sat
Thanks for your remarks: Ian McEwan chose to release his own unabridged audiobook reading of his new novel On Chesil Beach at the same time as the hardback release. On the final CD of the package is an interview between Ian McEwan & John Mullan (Professor of English @ UCL). During the course of their interview Ian McEwan confirms the the theme of this thread.
I had no idea there was am interview wherein sexual abuse was discussed much less confirmed.
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- ALAN TURING CAMPAIGN -- Dr. Russell, 09:48:03 08/31/09 Mon
I noticed on the BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8226509.stm that Mr. McEwan was compaigning for a pardon for Alan Turing. I was wondering if there was a website for the campaign or a way to sign the petition.
Regards,
Dave
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- McEwan and Virginia Woolf -- Vera (fascinated), 04:40:37 02/26/09 Thu
Has anyone noticed that most of the books by McEwan bear some likeness to works of Virginia Woolf?
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- On Chesil Beach -- julie (JAK), 12:06:52 08/29/09 Sat
i just finished On Chesil Beach. thank you for writing such a lovely novel. i will never forget it.
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- Atonement -- Emma (Moved), 15:25:34 07/21/08 Mon
I watched and then read and then watched "Atonement" and I have never been so moved by a book before. The feelings that came to life while reading the book were so emotional that I have yet to cease thinking about the characters involved. I would simply like to express my regards for Ian and his obviously incredible mind and for providing me such pleasure in reading and discovering something that I never knew was there. Thank-you.
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- Rose Blanche -- Sergio, 12:24:43 01/23/09 Fri
Hello from Italy. I'm currently working on my Ph.D. in Modern Languages and my subject (if I get the scholarship)is basically the theme of "growing pains". Now as I ordered on line "Rose Blanche" and received it today, I found out that I got the US version of the book which text is written by Gallaz and not by McEwan. Can someone please tell me if the text is different from McEwan's? And how comes there are 2 versions? One with the text of Gallaz and one with the text written by McEwan? Is it because one's Uk copyrighted and the other by the US?
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- Atonement -- Clemency Newman, 13:19:27 07/15/08 Tue
I would just like to say that I recently read Atonement and I thought it was amazingly emotional and shows how a misunderstanding can affect people so drastically. I then saw the film and made me cry - twice.
I am just about to do AS Level English Literature and I look forward to studying On Chesil Beach.
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- MCEWAN NOT A RACIST -- Morten Jensen, 17:42:36 07/05/08 Sat
Ian McEwan's comments were directed at terrorists - extremists - not muslims in general. He expressed disgust towards a fanatic world view in which women have no rights and homosexuality is condemned and punished. There is nothing racist or ignorant about his comments. It's a sad time we live in when we no longer stand up for equality, decency, tolerance and open-mindedness.
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- Your Opinion -- thomas, 07:39:50 06/24/08 Tue
Ian,
Thank you for supporting your friend and freely giving your opinion. Personally, I love opinion questions because you can never be wrong giving one. After all, it is 'your' opinion. Sadly some of the messages already posted only serve to reinforce your opinion which I to some extent share. You are also right about Christians who still cling to beliefs rooted nearly 2000 years ago. The big difference being that their message is spread more by their commitment and sometimes their blood instead of the sword. Most of Islam would collapse in on itself if it weren't for the ruthless enforcement of it's laws. The other nice thing about opinions is that they can change. New information should never be ignored at the risk of changing one's opinion. Thank you for having the courage to speak up. Humanity owes much to people willing to do so.
Thomas
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YOUR VIEWS ON ISLAM -- TALAT ALI (THE MISUNDERSTOOD), 15:54:51 06/23/08 Mon
Dear Sir,
I read and was surprised whilst reading the daily telegraph on your comments on Islam.
It seems you are ignorant on the subject and you should not analyse an issue you do not fully understand.
Islam is a fast growing religion were all creeds and races
mingle, just go and see in the mosque.
If one wants to be critical have your facts in view do not
conjure up stories.
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- Atonement -- Celwen, 01:19:12 05/21/08 Wed
Hi! I'm an Italian student, and I'm writing my final degree about this Ian McEwan's novel.
I need some help, expecially about the collateral elements, such as the female characterization or the historical element(ex. the differences and prejudice between social classes, the condition of woman at the time...).
The theme of my thesis is the use of metafictional devices to show the power and the danger of the Word(its creative power)and the ethical implications about the power of an artist...Any help? Link, suggestions...
Write me(I can read French too, and obviously Italian..., as soon as possible, I have not so much time left...My Mail: celwen@interfree.it
Thank you so much!
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- Packet of crisps -- Sarah Moor, 15:51:30 06/02/08 Mon
Dear Ian,
I read about your Hay reading and your request for other examples of the scene in which your protagonist unwittingly eats somebody else's crisps.
The short film Lunch Date by Adam Davidson won an Oscar in 1991 using the same premise. In it a woman dressed in a fur coat has missed her train in Grand Central Station. She orders a salad and sits in a booth opposite a man who looks like a vagrant. There is no dialogue.
The film is discussed in a variety of books on screenwriting including Linda Cowgill's Writing Short Films.
Regards
Sarah Moor
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- On Chesil Beach -- Maud, 14:12:33 03/23/08 Sun
After I wrote my message on 'On Chesil Beach' I read in this discussion-forum, that other readers shared my questions about possible sexual abuse by Florence's father.
Cool!
And that indeed it had happened (weird to write that of fictional characters).
I wrote before that it did not matter to know it for sure, however it IS good to know it for sure.
Even more painful.
But in a subtle way.
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- New novel 2009? -- Rollo, 10:37:56 05/01/09 Fri
Can anyone (Ian? Publisher? even) throw any light, give any information (clues even) to when we might get Ian's new novel??
I was at Hay Festival last year and was delighted to hear Ian read the draft of chapter of his 'forthcoming' book. We were captivated and left salivating at the prospect.
Is this the book that 'may' be coming or something else??
Please Ian ? Publisher, It’s been too long, give us a clue when our hunger may be (?) satiated.
Best to all.
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- Atonement -- A2 English Literature Student, 18:19:53 10/07/08 Tue
On behalf of my A2 English Literature class, i would like to put forward a question about the Editor's letter in part three of Atonement.
The reference to the changing of the name 'Piazza' from "Navona" to "Barberini" suggests that the version of Atonement we are reading has been changed by Briony due to the criticism by the Editor. If this is so then surely the suggestion of ' Briony coming between Robbie and Cecilia in a "disastrous fashion" ' has been taken on board by the retrospective author. This then compells the reader to believe that anything following the fountain scene is merely a fabricated drama that Briony has conducted in order to make it 'publishable'?
Doesn't this deter the whole didactic function of the novel (for Briony to Atone for her sin) presented through the most of parts one, two and three? Or is it simply more recognition that Briony's actions as a ten year old had huge repercussions therefore making her atonement even more imperative?
Also in the following chapter, immediately after the letter, when Briony refers to this suggestion, should the reader interpret her reply "Yes indeed" as a hint to her further redraft she would then go on to do, or a surprised acknowledgement of the event that actually did occur?
This concept could potentially change our entire view of the novel's self-aware structure so it would be great to have some views on this subject.
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- Corporal Mace -- Demian (puzzled?), 10:55:08 12/30/08 Tue
Needless to say, Atonement is a masterpiece. I finished reading it yesterday and was truly moved by the story. Then, I tried the film, which I liked, but I started wondering about the screenplay and something that either I skipped or was the fancy of Mr Hampton and that was the fact that Corporal Mace was black. I went back to my copy and couldn't find a thourough description of that character. Actually, there wasn't a thourough despcription of Corporal Nettle either. Could anybody lend me a hand? I'd like to check that.
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- delight -- Anton from Novosibirsk (happy), 07:15:31 12/18/08 Thu
Read your "Amsterdam".
Just wrote the message because I'd enjoed the book.
I'm going to be a philogist, and appreciate it at its true (high) value.
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- For You -- Ross McLennan, 04:00:28 12/13/08 Sat
How many composers have written music for "For You"? I love the idea of a libretto being interpreted by different composers. Is it open for experimentatal operas for example? If so, I would love to have a bash at it. I'd happily send you the results....in ayear or two:)
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- QkwsZNwAFGhCbSUmnc -- Rolish (lgeQGvbyWpG), 19:27:16 06/26/09 Fri
showing some love,
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- Atonement-Is Briony jelous of Cee?? -- Camilo Escamilla, 10:09:13 04/15/09 Wed
I am writing a paper on Atonement for my english class, and well my argument is:
We know that Briony reads the letter and finds Robbie and Cecilia in the library and the scene in the fountain. Because of those scenes Briony believes that Robbie could be dangerous towards Cee. We later find out that Briony also had once love, or atleast had a crush on Robbie. My point of my paper is that could it be possible that the letter and the other scenes were not the only reason for Briony to lie about Robbie and send him to prison? Could it be that she felt betrayed or even jelous of Cee? Because it was Cee who Robbie loved and not her?
I know it's a random topic but if anyone can help atleast let me know if you think this is a valuable argument. Thanx
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- Ian McEwan's place in the tradition of literature -- Jenny, 13:15:04 02/01/09 Sun
I am writing a research paper on Ian McEwan for my AP English class, and I am having some difficulty answering these two questions:
1) Why is your writer important to the literary world?
2) What has he don to influence literature?
If you could help me answer those questions that would be great! Thank you!
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- Atonement -- Nat (Confused), 10:43:26 04/03/09 Fri
Where is the Atonement in Atonement? Or is that the point there is none? Briony never seems to atone for her actions - she thinks about them, writes about them, imagines apology and an alternate end for those she wronged, but where is the attempt to atone?
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- Booker Prize -- Claire, 01:01:25 05/28/09 Thu
I think it is a complete and utter disgrace that Amsterdam won the Booker Prize in 1998 instead of Julian Barne's England, England which was a truly inspired work and quite possible the best novel of the 90's.
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- passages from Saturday -- Leonie (from the Netherlands), 02:40:42 05/21/09 Thu
Part of my MA thesis is on intertextuality in Saturday. I've read the novel but I cannot find certain passages anymore.
Can someone help me find these passages in Saturday? I'm looking for the passage where Daisy calls her father a Gradgrind.
Also, I read on wikipedia that Perowne has read a story in which a man travels back in time to a pub which his parents had visited before he was born. It is supposed to be the plot of McEwan's novel The Child in Time. Is this true? Where in Saturday can I find this passage?
Your help is very much appreciated.
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- Paul marshall chocolate factory -- Trod, 09:48:58 05/14/09 Thu
I was just wondering, is there really a chocolate factory or is it all
Made up? Is it based off of something true?
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- On Chesil Beach -- Steve N, 16:15:58 05/11/09 Mon
Just finished this book and totally blown away, couldn't put it down and finished it in two sittings. The last 10 pages were devastating and the comment on the last page about love and patience so poignant. A classic story of regret.
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- On Chesil Beach -- Kevin (elated after reading), 01:41:27 04/22/09 Wed
I have just finished this book and was simply blown away by its brilliance. The construct was superb and the characterisation just excellent. I hope that this is going to be dramatised. The best novelist since Mary Wesley ...
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Amsterdam -- tania (confused), 09:44:16 04/15/09 Wed
I have been through all these messages and I am surprised that none of them deal with McEwan´s Amsterdam...I´m an university student from Slovakia and I have just read this book and I´m confused about one thing in the novel: What was the real reason Vernon and Clive killed each other? Was it actually revenge or was it the accomplishing of their pact they made? cuz we have discussed this problem at our english lesson and the majority was for the revenge but I somehow feel that vernon though clive was loosing his mind so he just did what he had promised and vice versa...I would be very glad if someone share his opinion on this, thanks a lot!!!!
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- child in time, who took the girl? -- robert, 03:41:11 04/07/09 Tue
The tragedy of the little girl missing is not solved at the end. Felt a bit frustrating, but Mc Ewan gives a clue. I feel I might have found the most possible solution. It is the girl who was begging in the streets and reacted hostile when she was given some money. Could it be she is the kidnapper? Most likely so, Kate could have been condident and sensed no threat, since her father had treaten the begging girl nicely. Who agrees?
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- Various Questions -- Sophie-Barat-School, Hamburg, Germany, 23:45:45 04/02/09 Thu
Dear Mr. McEwan
We are 6th formers at a grammar school in Hamburg and have chosen to study your novel "Atonement" in our English Lit. Class.
We found it was a very interesting and multi-layered book and it left us with many questions that arose in our discussions in class.
We would greatly appreciate it if you would be so kind as to help us solve some of our problems with the novel which we really enjoyed reading.
Thanking you for your help in advance,
Advanced Course English, Sophie-Barat-Schule
1. Would you say "Atonement" is a story about love, war, or rather about writing as such?
2. Do you personally think Briony`s atonement was successful?
3. In your interviews you describe yourself as an atheist. To what extent do you think your understanding of guilt in "Atonement" can be seen as having parallels to this Christian concept?
4. In many of your novels there is a key event that has a huge impact on the main characters' lives. Why are you fond of using this device?
Thank you!
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- Atonement -- fiona wilson, 12:38:56 07/09/08 Wed
i am struggling with the concept that Briony knows Paul Marshall raped Lola. She never saw who it was but later quite categorically knew it was Paul Marshall. On what grounds? Why did Cec and Robbie believe her so easily after years of thinking it was someone else, especially given her vivid imagination?
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- The Amis/McEwan Blind Spot -- Nick Chavasse (Perplexed), 06:46:28 06/23/08 Mon
Dear Ian McEwaan,
I'll try my best not to make this just another angry complaint on your recent comments on Islam - I am sure you have had quite enough of them already.
Millions of Muslims would agree with your comments, if only you were able to make a clear distinction between radical and moderate Islam. Simply dismissing Islam in its entirety will leave you open to accusations of racism - on the basis that you have managed to dismiss an entire ethnic/religious group on the basis of the violent actions of a very small percentage of its its adherents. Its rather akin to American racist assertions that all blacks were libidous, rapacious animals intent on impregnating white women.
What is most disturbing about both your comments, and those of Martin Amis, is the total ommission of any Anglo-American culpability for the attacks on 7/7 and 9/11. You correctly point out that you do not resent American Christians because they do want to "attack our cities". But then again we have not spent 40 years destroying any chance of socailaism or democracy taking seed in America; funded and armed brutal dictators like the House of Saud and Saddam; and assassinated their left-wing political leaders to install right-wing puppet regimes busy hacking and torturing their own people. If we had behaved that way in America, there would be a mushroom cloud over every British city by now. Radical Islam is the product of Anglo-French-American colonial policies that perpetuated extreme poverty in the Arab world by design - just as long as the flow of oil was maintained.
Why is it that you and Amis never acknowledge or reference this? It's almost as if you have a blind spot to the historic brutality of the West. By pouring fuel on the absurd "Clash of Civilizations" thesis put forward by Samuel Huntingdon as justification for imperial aggression, you are further aggravating the situation.
If you were to start your arguement by at least acknowledging that the Muslim world has some very good reasons to want to attack the West in reprisal for 40 years of murder and aggression, I would have more respect for your opinions. Without such acknowledegement, they can indeed be seen as racist in origin,
In Peace,
Nick
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- Enduring Love research paper -- Barry Lauren (confused), 07:04:49 02/01/09 Sun
I am doing a research paper on Enduring Love and I can not seem to think of a strong Central Idea and Thesis Statement for my paper, though I have done a lot of research. So I was wondering if you guys cold be able to help me out??
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- New Yorker Profile -- Frank, 11:06:55 03/09/09 Mon
Thinkah.com, in its Arts and Entertainment section, has two entries on this profile. One is generating some discussion and a question.
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- On Chesil Beach -- Nathan Z, 04:50:08 03/28/08 Fri
I feel somewhat embarassed to make such a crass comment about such a beautifully crafted work of fiction, but the marriage could have worked had Edward not refrained from *ahem* pleasuring himself for the week before the marriage. For the want of a w***...
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Violence in Atonement -- Grace, 12:57:35 02/11/09 Wed
I was wondering if anyone had an idea if the violence within this novel was itself a means of atonement? For example the suffering Briony sees whilst at the hospital. There are many theological debates on whether violence and suffering are necessary for atonement. Do you think McEwan has encorporated this into 'Atonement'?
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- Feverish Robbie at Dunkirk "sees" his mum.What is the first room. the laundry? -- Nancy Hall (astounded), 15:14:40 01/14/09 Wed
Question: At Dunkirk when Robbie breaks away from his friend and has vision of his mum before he enters the room where she washes his feet...what are the hanging things in the ante-room; is the mum in the laundry or what? The scene is so short I can't figure out what the room is and what is hanging in loops...I'd love some ehlp with this. Thank you.
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- Who writes like Mcewan? -- jadenite, 19:57:20 11/05/06 Sun
I enjoy so much Mcewan's books, and have greedily devoured each and every one of them. Going on past experience, I may be waiting for a while until his next, so any recommendations, anyone? Who is similar to the mighty Mcewan? Obviously not the same, but just a similar intelligence, and interesting read.......
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- Atonement and delusion -- Milly, 06:14:10 10/30/08 Thu
Hi, I am an A2 English literature student and I am studying Atonement.
I will be particularly focusing my study on the themes of self-deception and delusion in the novel and I was wondering if anybody had any ideas they could share on this aspect.
Any advice would be appreciated,
Thank you so much in advance,
Best wishes.
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- Atonement -- Janie stone (indifferent janie), 09:17:25 10/21/08 Tue
I would like to point out that those tearing to pieces the facts in Atonement, that to them the story is lost! If you are critising the book instead of reading of it how can you expect to enjoy this enthralling and inspiring novel. Im 17 and read with passion before criticism.
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- Discussion Questions -- Kimberly, 16:13:43 10/27/08 Mon
My discussion group is looking for discussion questions for "On Chesil Beach". If anyone can point me in the right direction, or have suggested questions, please email me or post reply. THank you
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- saturday -- glenda clarke (satisfied), 13:36:21 05/24/08 Sat
I read "Saturday", my first toddle into McEwan,slightly egotistical with self knowledge, BUT- with every right to be so.I loved it, the research alone should have earned you a booker prize. Thankyou- so much- for this journey into an intelligent and normal mind.
Sincerely
Glenda Clarke
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- atonement -- MaryOverin (frustrated), 09:53:40 01/10/08 Thu
I find Atonement unsatisfactory because the plot rests on a total impossiblity: that someone might be convicted and imprisoned on the unsupported and unexamined evidence of a child (statement to police). She would have had to give evidence in court and be cross-questioned by Defence Counsel.
Does anyone see a way round this problem?
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- Chesil Beach -- Mario Rios Muniz Pinot (Love it.), 06:46:50 10/10/08 Fri
I just picked this novel up by chance, along with Beloved by Morrison. Chesil Beach is interesting and revealing. I hope to read more in the future. I got some list of 100 best novels that I was using in my local public library that included Atonement but I found Chesil Beach which I think is wonderful. Thank you.
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- Why ? -- Ace (Sad), 20:45:06 06/22/08 Sun
Ian McEwan comments about Islam was unnecessary & racist. He should know that his novels are read by many muslims & he should never have made such nazi comment about all muslims. I feel ashamed that I shaked his hands not knowing his inner filth.
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- bergerie de tedenat causse du larzac -- fabrice dermenghem, 08:17:27 04/30/08 Wed
en esperant que vous comprenez le francais!!
je suis le propriétaire de la bergerie de tedenat a la vacquerie sur le causse du arzac et j ai lu votre livre les chiens noirs
comment avez vous connu ce lieu?
si vous repassez dans notre belle region j aurai plaisir a vous rencontrer
fabrice dermenghem
467 rue des gelinottes
34 090 montpellier
tel 04 67 79 22 94
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- cement garden -- PJ O'Connor (Nimblestoof), 18:42:47 07/27/08 Sun
after reading and then seeing the Cement Garden, I could help thinking how devastating repressed emotions can be in dyfunctional families. It struck a deep personal nerve in me and in helped me come to terms with my own childhood dysfunction and rudderless parental guidance.
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- Ian McEwan Addresses Recent Comments on Islamism -- Ryan, 13:27:47 06/28/08 Sat
Please visit Ian's website for his comments regarding his recent statement about Islamism (not Islam, as has been misrepresented):
http://ian-mcewan.blogspot.com/
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- Clarification... -- Ben, 17:48:31 06/26/08 Thu
I have been saddened by the unwarrented backlash following Ian's comments on extremist Muslism. The entire religion is not being condemned, just the actions of those fanatics who preach hate and openly wish destruction upon the western world.
I echo Mr McEwan's sentiments, and his freedom to express them.
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- Symbolism -- laura (Help), 13:36:00 06/26/08 Thu
Can You Help I Need To Know The Symbolism And The Themes Of The Book 'Saturday'???
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- Packet of chips -- Philip Davis, 14:32:23 06/02/08 Mon
The biscuit/packet of chips episode is from The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
Just thought yu'd like to know!
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- Kleist references in Atonement? -- M.H. Dupree, 09:34:21 05/06/08 Tue
I am a German Lit scholar and am writing a conference paper about the parallels between McEwan's Atonement and Heinrich von Kleist's play "The Broken Jug." Both include the motif of a broken vessel (jug/vase) that represents familial/national identity; there are multiple eyewitnesses and multiple accounts of what happens when the vessel gets broken. However, I'm not 100% sure that McEwan is really referencing Kleist; I.M. never mentions Kleist in his interviews, and James's The Golden Bowl is usually cited as the source for the motif of the vase in Atonement. I think Kleist might fit better. Any thoughts?
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- influences -- jodee, 08:56:17 04/22/08 Tue
what do you all think the main core influence of Atonement was?
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- bachelor work -- lenka (help), 09:17:11 04/06/08 Sun
hi there, I am writing a bachelor work, which is a translation of one of the books about Ian McEwans work. Could someone give me additional/more info about Ian McEwan, e.g. his past, his ex-wife etc. anything you can think of. that would be a great help. thank you so much
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- Is Briony's imagination a curse? -- Lucy, 06:44:43 04/12/08 Sat
I would really like to know your opinions on Briony;is her imagination a gift or a curse, is it either?
There is the obvious; her imagination acts as a destructive tool against Robbie and Cecilia. Her imagination as redeption from her sins.
I am doing my coursework on the nature of storytelling within Atonement and i believe this is a vital point to my argument, but sadly, one i am finding increasingly hard to come to an opinion on... any views?
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- questions -- Katkins282 (wondering), 04:11:08 03/04/08 Tue
does anybody believe that the controversial writing that Ian McEwan uses could have any thing to do with his own past? Almost like a controversial writing to match his controversial life?
Could someone email me back its for my work... if you dont think it is to do with that, maybe some other suggestions?
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- On Chesil Beach -- Edna, 07:49:40 11/26/07 Mon
I'm wondering if Florence is really frigid, or she thinks she is.It seems to me another possibility is her lack of knowledge and experience. Maybe time and communication could have helped her discover something she didn't know about herself.
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- atonement -- jack, 12:31:52 03/10/08 Mon
Violence appears to play a role in Atonement, however I am interested in McEwan's treatment of violence, most notably in the retreat from Dunkirk. I was wondering if anyone could provide backgroud etc or point me in the direction of a useful article.
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- Tasmania's forests -- Florence Harwood (Not happy Jan), 20:57:29 03/09/08 Sun
I offer these comments as I respect Mr McEwan's work deeply but I am extremely disappointed that Ian McEwan has been captured by a campaign that often disregards truth and facts.
Ian has recently visited Tasmania's forests with well Richard Flanagan and Bob Brown. I must say I am astonished that a writer of his sensibilities and intellect chose to accept such a one eyed view and did not seek any information about the other side of the forestry debate.
Then to involve the issue of climate change without the slightest nod to the findings of the Garnault and Stern reports on carbon sequestration through the forestry industry!
I adore McEwan's work and have read his novels with a sense of admiration and wonder. The most important duty an artist has, as Gunter Grass would say, is to speak out about what you observe in society. I do not and never would demur from that. But Gunter Grass never extolled speaking out in an unbalanced way and without some research to back up what Ian has said.
It would have been more helpful if he had qualified his comments by saying that he'd made observations in the presence of some very biased friends. Because that's all he did. He was shown something ("destruction") and chose to believe what was said about it. His reaction to it isn't exactly enlightened.
This is the same kind of tactic used by various anti forestry campaigners in Japan and overseas generally (in markets for Tasmanian forest products) who regularly show photos of "old growth trees" that have been "burnt" and misrepresent their location and their age (of course they're all old growth!). One group in particular was exposed for lying like this recently and they found themselves in a position where they had to apologise for lying and misleading the audience. I find that kind of tactic pretty disturbing.
The green groups make a great deal out of the terms pristine forests and old growth. I have been with well known campaigners in the Tasmanian forest and they haven't realised that what they are claiming to be old growth forest is actually regrowth after a wildfire in 1937. Their lack of knowledge on the subject is astounding.
What is happening is that they have captured the moral higher ground at the expense of facts, a propaganda war if ever there was one. And to be seen to defend the forestry industry in any way shape or form (including putting forward facts) is to be a rapist, a pillager, a completely unworthy person with indefensible views.
Is Ian aware that this campaign's persistence in claiming that these forests should not be touched by humans insults the Tasmanian Aboriginal community? They were effective land managers (using similar techniques to what is done now) long before anti forest campaigners decided that forests should be "wildernesses" which they usually define as having no people in them or "untouched by humans".
Other lies peddled around are that fires from forestry operations are burning down the Tasmanian world heritage area. However statistics from independent fire experts in Tasmania clearly indicate that if anything the fires into forestry operations from the world heritage area into forestry operations and not the other way around!
What I want to see considered by Ian is some facts. I would like Ian to come back to Tasmania in person and hear the other side of the debate. Only then should his views be respected. It's fine by me if that stage he still feels the the same way. But to show such disrespect to intellectual and scholarly principles of an objective examination of the facts puts him in a position where his credibility has been sorely undermined.
As I stated at the beginning, it's because I respect McEwan's work and capabilities so much that I've bothered to write in this way.
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- Humbert Humbert in Atonement -- Rachel Worden, 09:58:08 01/08/08 Tue
Humbert Humbert in ATONEMENT
(any advice on editing this note?)
Briony Tallis is the thirteen year old protagonist of Ian McEwen’s Atonement. Like any early-teen female in literature, Briony cannot avoid a comparison to another literary figure: Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita. McEwan is certainly aware of this and has peppered his text with allusions to the famous nymphet.
Atonement has a character named Lola. Lola is the pet name that Nabokov’s Humbert Humbert gives Lolita specifically when wearing slacks. McEwan’s Lola is fifteen (just a year too old to be classified as a nymphet) and like Lolita she is raped by a man much her senior who happens to notice and comment on the girl’s slacks. Another allusion comes from Briony’s migraine burdened mother who shares one of Humbert Humbert’s talents. Humbert who likes to keep informed of the doings in Lolita’s home without leaving his study describes himself as a spider sending silken threads throughout the house in search of the young girl. Briony’s mother, Emily, while staving off a headache sends “tendrils” out from her bed to keep track of her household. Nabokov’s dismissal of psychology is well documented and Emily Tallis’ Freudianism is quite comical. The reader also learns in Lolita’s preface that all the characters involved are deceased, Atonement’s final pages inform the reader likewise. Lolita’s preface also redirects readers who want to know “the real people behind the true story." Atonement’s final pages subtly admonish the reader who wants to know “what really happened." The novels seem to share important dates: Atonement opens in 1935 the year of Lolita’s birth and Briony’s second draft is complete in 1947 the fatidic date of Humbert and Lolita’s first acquaintance. You can even find Lolita’s name hidden in Briony Tallis. Briony writes a play titled “The trials of Arabella” which seems a nod to Humbert's first love Annabell. But it is in Briony’s “ancient lust” of writing where the young girls diverge.
Rather than producing another Lolita, Ian McEwan seems to have reinvented Humbert Humbert as a thirteen year old girl. Like Humbert, Briony is the author of the text. Like Humbert, Briony is only aware of her inner world and is therefore oblivious and destructive to the life of those around her. Like Humbert, Briony becomes aware of the extent of her lie too late and she, like Humbert, can only hope to achieve atonement through writing. Humbert believes in fate to the point where he supposes his hotel room number to be “a key” and He excuses his behavior as destined. This is where the characters differ; Briony’s room number “told (her) nothing” and her pain of guilt is sincere. Whether either achieves atonement is for the reader jury to decide.
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- Inspiration -- Elizabeth, 13:04:58 01/16/08 Wed
Forgive me if this question has already been asked, but I was wondering if anyone knew what the inspiration for the characters Robbie and Cecilia were derived from. The author used a great deal of letters sent back and forth during the war, and I'm interested in which ones.
Maybe it's my foolish hope to think that somewhere out there, the story might have been real. Or at least bits and parts of it.
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- Atonement - Does Lola love Marshall in Part 1? -- Liam Orton, 09:07:15 06/26/07 Tue
In my A-level lit class, I seem to be the only one convinced that Lola does not point out Marshall as the the rapist as she is already in love with him. All the gasping of "It was him" seems to me to be a shocked disbelief that her idol has betrayed her, and Lola is also perfectly willing to drop the twins in the metaphorical ****, until Robbie (via Briony) becomes a more useful target.
Everyone else, my teacher included, believe she is merely keeping her foot in every camp for her own advantage, which I can't really understand.
Would anyone care to give their opinion? I'd love if there was an interview with McEwan that enlightened me on the subject.
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- atonement- incest -- severance, 12:15:04 01/01/08 Tue
The book and movie left me with the impression that Robbie and Cicely were half siblings. Why else would the father be so generous?
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- inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Mrs. A. King (Musing), 14:31:32 04/08/07 Sun
The passage on page 99 describing Florence's sea crossing with her father
suggests to me that she was sexually abused , and that this is possibly the
cause of her so-called frigidity. Does anyone else care to comment on this
theory?
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- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Simon Cross, 11:12:39 04/09/07 Mon
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Mrs A Siddell, 05:00:54 04/14/07 Sat
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- 6sheep, 02:25:00 04/22/07 Sun
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- maggie (thoughtful), 23:23:36 05/15/07 Tue
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Diana, 20:29:05 06/18/07 Mon
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Ava Krogmann, 14:23:43 07/05/07 Thu
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Daisy, 17:42:01 07/18/07 Wed
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Timothy McKeown, 19:01:42 08/25/07 Sat
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Ellen Johns (Relieved), 16:07:22 09/07/07 Fri
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Jude Seaboyer, 03:58:34 09/16/07 Sun
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Brad, 21:40:34 09/25/07 Tue
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Jean Reif Robinson, 11:19:37 11/02/07 Fri
Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Geraldine Roberts-Stone (agreement/taboo), 08:33:36 11/22/07 Thu
- Re: inference of sexual abuse in Florence's frigidity in McEwan's On Chesil Beach -- Glenn Parrington, 17:26:37 01/22/08 Tue
- Life Imitating Art -- a Saturday Moment -- Edward M Stadum, 04:51:53 02/16/08 Sat
I regard Saturday as McEwan's finest novel. Especially, the pivotal moment when Henry says to Baxter, "Your father had it. Now you've got it, too."
Today the story surfaced in the London Daily Mail of the meeting between Dr. Chris Britt and Mark Gurrieri in a London restaurant. Dr. Britt shook Gurrieri's hand and immediately recognized the symptoms of acromegaly, a benign tumor at the base of the brain that can lead to blindness, diabetes, high blood pressure and premature death. Britt was right. In due course his diagnosis was confirmed. and a surgeon removed the tumor from Gurrieri's pituitary gland, saving him from a premature death.
That handshake was a Saturday moment.
(You can read the Daily Mail article at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=514340&in_page_id=1774)
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- Does anybody read "In Between the Sheets"? -- Evelyn (Sad), 07:18:20 02/12/08 Tue
I'm going to have a degree in english literary translation, and its topic is this beatiful short stories collection by Mcewan. I've passed so many time looking for informations, and yes I've found "something", nothing more that an "one of his books is...". I transleted into Italian one of the short stories "Psychopolis"- an extraordinary description of contrasting emotions which lead a man to a "just breathing" life. What about this?
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- Massacre of schoolgirls -- rdwilliams@telefonica.net, 06:15:29 02/02/08 Sat
Where please is the massacre of uniformed schoolgirls supposed to have taken place? No doubt such things happened in Poland, Russia and the Baltic but I have not read of such a massacre in Northern France.
Would you please name the location and village.
The Nazis have quite enough to answer for in France (Drancy camp and Oradour sur Glane etc) without fabrication for the sake of a story (which I hope this is not). RDW
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- Briony's Atonement -- Sean Matson (curious), 14:14:20 09/26/07 Wed
Does Briony achieve atonement for the troubles she caused in her childhood?
-How does her suffering through nursing help her atone
-the novel she writes
-the war experience that she gives in part II
-The end when she explains that she is "god" and that the attempt was all.
-I know she atones but what about all of these incidents shows that she has atoned... What is atonement?
what scenes show all of these and prove that she has atoned?
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- Climax -- Navin (Puzzled), 15:44:45 02/07/08 Thu
I just read the novel and I get the feeling what if one of those "drafts" had Robbie die of Septicaemia and Cecilia in the Underground blast.
At the end of the day, Briony is a novelist, she has the ability to create her own version of the entire incident. I hope somebody could enlighten me.
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- Robbie & Cecilia Meeting Question -- Su, 10:15:20 01/17/08 Thu
I read 'Atonement' a few years ago, and I am now reading it again after seeing the film. I'd like to know if the meeting between Robbie and Cecilia after his release, but before he goes to war actually happened. At the end of the book Briony states "Who would want to believe that they never met again, never fulfilled their love?" I realize their reunion at the end was all in Briony's imagination, but what about this one? I'm a bit confused.
Any and all thoughts are much appreciated!
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- Ian McEwan at Sydney Opera House on 9 March -- Pristine, 00:34:29 02/05/08 Tue
An afternoon with Ian McEwan in conversation with Ramona Koval.
Tickets go on sale to general public on 9 Feb. However, if you book online (http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/Priority/AnAfternoonwithIan_McEwan.aspx), you can get tickets now and get $5 off full price tickets.
Adults--$39
Concession (child under 16/full time student/pensioner)--$29
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- Atonement -- Charmaine (Description of Rape), 07:28:36 02/02/08 Sat
page 74- i have read atonement before and have just started reading it again, we seem to have a very visual description of lola's rape 'A tall nettle with a preening look, its head coyly drooping and its middle leaves turned outwards like hands protesting innocence- this was lola, and though she whimpered for mercy, the singing arc of a three-foot switch cut her down at the knees and set her worthless torso flying', is this briony playing god, as if she was thinking of the violence and having an actor to perform it, in the form of (paul marshall).
Are we seeing the event as it happens or are we falling for another of briony's ability's to lead us into a tale?
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- FIRST EVER STAGE ADAPTATION OF THE CEMENT GARDEN -- FallOut Theatre, 07:06:00 01/28/08 Mon
FallOut Theatre, associated with Cambridge University, is staging the first ever stage adaptation of THE CEMENT GARDEN. The production runs from 6th-9th March at the Judith E.Wilson Drama Studio on West Road, Cambridge. For more information see www.fallouttheatre.com or email rp337@cam.ac.uk.
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- Henry Perowne and Henri Pirenne -- Mary Soderstrom, 07:57:53 11/30/07 Fri
Reading Dark Age Ahead by Jane Jacobs, I've just come upon the answer, perhaps, to a question that has bothered me since I first read Saturday: where does the name of the hero, Henry Perowne, come from.
Henry, as you all know, wakes early on the morning of a day of international protest against the approaching war in Iraq to see a plane in flames approaching Heathrow Airport. The vision shadows everything that happens to him, including the attack he and his family survive.
McEwan seems to have very carefully worked out the details of the book. Even the poem which saves Daisy from rape and worse—"Dover Beach" by Mathew Arnold—appears chosen for its message as well as its popularity. But the hero’s name stands out for its absence of significance. How strange, I thought at the time, annoyed that it seemed to resonate with something which I couldn’t put my finger on. I even spent a couple of hours trying possible permutations of the letters in Henry Perowne to see if I could come up with an interesting anagram.
No luck.
But then in rereading the Jacobs book, I came across her discussion of Henri Pirenne, (1862-1935) a Belgian historian and Orientalist. He is best known, it seems for the Pirenne Thesis which argues that the ancient world ended and the Middle Ages began following the establishment of Muslim control over the Mediterranean Sea.
According to Pirenne, Jacobs writes, that Dark Age started to move toward light when the “ poor, backward European cities...began trading with one another again and, indirectly through Venice, with the Middle East and Asia.” This, of course, falls right in with Jacobs’s thoughts about the economies of cities, but it also has interesting resonances with what is happening now. Is our current increased awareness of what is going on in the Muslim world an end or a beginning?
I have been trying to find a forum on which to ask McEwan if the choice of Perowne’s name is one of those symbols writers sometimes drop into their work for their own pleasure, or if it is pure coincidence. What do you think?
Mary Soderstrom
http://marysoderstrom.blogspot.com
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- Water Imagery -- Becky, 15:21:19 01/24/08 Thu
I just saw the movie last night and felt the water imagery throughout the story was compelling. There is obvious connections with religion but does anyone have any thoughts....I can't get the movie out of my mind and will read the book soon.
Becky
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- Robie's feet....Bleed to death -- Bonnie Robinson (Confused?????), 21:27:43 01/16/08 Wed
When Robie was walking into the Bar in Dunkirk....and found something to drink....saw the aborition of his mother washing his feet in the bowl, did he, in fact...or was that "Symbolism" for him shattering the glass bottle placing that into the bowl....or into his shoes...then walking out....His friend asked him why he was walking strangely???? he then went into the cellar and a day later passed away....did he bleed to death? That was my interpretation.....Bonnie
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- Ian McEwan at the Adelaide Festival -- Pristine, 05:21:09 01/12/08 Sat
Although I live in Sydney, I missed out on getting a ticket to see Ian McEwan at the Adelaide Festival. Would anyone here happen to have a ticket to spare? Postage and ticket cost would happily be paid for :D Thanks!
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- Saturday -- Charlotte (fired up), 09:19:31 01/06/08 Sun
I have just finished Saturday and hugely enjoyed it. I have two comments. Firstly, having read many of McEwen’s earlier books, I spent much of my time waiting for the horror, for the character’s that I had connected with, to be killed in some way. I was let off the hook but now I feel there should have been greater collision between Baxter’s world and that of Henrys’.
Which is part of my second point. I found the life of the Penrose family too comfortable and too smug to really believe their concern for the world events around them. I guess I am suppose to be slightly put off by the arrogance of Henry’s thinking, but the whole family’s rationalization, made me cringe at times, especially when they talked through the events of the intrusions. I can’t work out if it is because I have heard such middle-class reflections in my own family or because it was hyper real. Either way it made me uncomfortable. As did the no mention of taking Henry’s mother into the family home, which, as we were told many times, was so big. Also that they only took one ornament from her house, as if those ornaments would infect the rooms in their home. This really annoyed me. Was it the intention of the author and highlights me falling for the book? If so the result was to stop me digesting some of the political points and caring about their world views.
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- Atonement: Lola and Paul -- dap (perplexed), 07:13:28 01/15/08 Tue
I've read Atonement (years ago now) and just saw the film, which I was concerned would not do the book justice. It actually is quite a good movie - well acted and directed. My wife asked a question about the relationship between Paul Marshall and Lola that never occurred to me before. Perhaps I simply missed it all this time, but she suggested in her question that Lola not only was not attacked by Robbie, but that she was not attacked by Paul - that it was a consensual liaison between the young girl and the older young man. However inappropriate, it seems possible that the two were picking up on the spark that was formed inside the house when they first met.
Is this an obvious point, or is this a fresh look?
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- One of the best daramas of all time -- N.M.G., 00:48:14 01/16/08 Wed
I really enjoyed this book. You have a natural talent for writing, very descriptive, and the characters were had such powerful emotion. Briony was merely a child, she was very different from her peers, she was unique, an artist of her own and she also likes being the ringleader. She was jealous, as a natural reaction, she tried to get even, she wanted it to be Robbie, but she was not aware that it would hurt Cee that much.
The real drama was Briony still carrying this guilt at an old age, knowing she can never be forgiven.
It does not seem fictional at all. Atonement is a powerful piece of drama that should be a part of everyones collection. I hope to be a writer someday and its stories like this that really inspires you. It's absolutely beautiful!
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- Companionable lovemaking -- Tony, 15:36:38 11/17/07 Sat
Hello
I only recently discovered Ian McEwan. One Of the many things that appeal to me about his writing,is his ability to put words to things that we feel, but cannot express.
I just came across "companionable lovemaking" in Black Dogs. He uses the term to describe a married couple making love.
I suppose this skill is a pre requisite for all great authors. Anyway, I wanted to come on here and express my satisfaction with Mr McEwan!
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Replies:
Re: Why ? -- Saleem, 05:47:56 07/28/08 Mon
Re: Atonement - Does Lola love Marshall in Part 1? -- Madonna, 13:40:24 09/08/07 Sat
Re: Atonement - Does Lola love Marshall in Part 1? -- Victoria, 11:56:30 02/20/08 Wed