read a review

I found a review on the book "Atonement", which I read.

This one:

"Ian McEwan’s NBCC award winning novel (which was also shortlisted for the 2001 Man Booker Prize) begins in England during a heatwave. Briony Tallis, a dramatic child obsessed with writing stories, prepares for the arrival of her Northern cousins – beautiful and manipulative Lola and her twin brothers – and her brother Leon. Briony’s older sister Cecilia meanwhile laments the long summer ahead of her and spars with the charwoman’s son Robbie. The initial chapters of Atonement move slowly, setting up the characters and establishing the sense of place. Set in the mid-1930s, the novel feels old-fashioned. Despite the slow pace, I enjoyed McEwan’s beautiful writing…and so once the plot and characters are fully established and things begin to unravel at the Tallis residence, my interest was quickly engaged.

                                                                                          pic. Ian McEwan

The structure of Atonement is unusual – spanning several decades, and written from multiple points of view in three distinct parts which take the reader from England to France during WWII. But, the structure is one of the things that works well for a novel which thematically examines the interpretation of truth. McEwan manages to keep his reader unsettled, wondering at the characters’ motivations and leaving loose ends. It is not until the final page is turned that the reader is able to verify the whole story.

I can understand why Atonement captured the attention of the judges for prizes like the NBCC and the Booker, as well as the scriptwriters. It is a fully realized, very literary effort by an author who understands how to string together words which inspire, intrigue and tug at the heartstrings. I am happy that I waded through the early parts of the novel when the going was methodical. The reader who sticks with McEwan as he sets up the story will be rewarded in the end."

And what is my opinion? Ok. 

First of all, I totally agree with the words "McEwan manages to keep his reader unsettled, wondering at the characters’ motivations and leaving loose ends. It is not until the final page is turned that the reader is able to verify the whole story." Yeah, that's really so. Until the last page you don't know HOW STILL THE NOVEL WILL END! Every page is bringing an absolutely new information, new story, and you cannot hang on one moment, you want to go on and go on. What new is waiting you on the next page? Oh, McEwan is master and I admire his style of writing.

Also, I was surprised, when I knew that this book was so wonderful, because of this McEwan was awarded for the Booker Prize. The book is worth to be read.

I will never forget the emotions, which the "Atonement" gave me.

-x.o.x.o.