Date Posted:17:09:06 01/22/08 Tue Author:Glenn Parrington Subject: Re: The Child in Time In reply to:
Tom
's message, "The Child in Time" on 19:44:02 09/14/04 Tue
I recommend that you put The Child In Time away for a while and read something else, or read a few other books so as to displace your current feelings about the book with new ones.
Then take a deep breath and give it another go. I reluctantly read the book for A-Level as a private candidate but happily discovered 'that' novel by which all others I read afterwards are judged.
I can understand that it may seem 'wordy' and even in some respects confusing too, but The Child in Time is a real classic. Try and keep tabs on the constant references to 'time' that appear on almost every page. Depending on the situation or the age of the character it seems to move at different speeds and become distorted. The skill of the language itself is amazing, and put me off ever trying to become a writer!
The way McEwan describes the emotions of grief and childhood and love and regret are really beautiful, there are some intriguing subplots as well involving the 'supporting' character, Charles. I really think it is his best work. The ending is truly moving also. Give it another chance!
