I bought this book in London after having first bought the audio cassette. I did not listen to the audio version in full as I have discovered I have no patience with audio books!

This is a wonderfully profound novel whose meaning does not become apparent until the almost final page. It is very melancholy, the kind of novel which leaves you reeling at the end and stays on your mind for days afterward.

It is a challenging read, no question, but it is worth perservering. The story begins in the 1930s England. Briony is an emotional and impressionable child, at the end of childhood and experiencing adult feelings for the first time. She thinks she witnesses the housekeeper's son commiting a crime - but she does not understand what she sees, nor does she realise that the housekeeper's son is her sister's secret love. The novel then moves into WWII and we discover the fates of our protagonists with Briony trying to atone for her mistake for the rest of her life.

I think this is a wonderful novel and hence I am going to send it on one of my maiden bookrays.

Here is a reading guide for the novel which some may find useful - but watch out - it contains a plot spoiler!

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BOOKRAY or CHECK OUT BOOKRAYGIRL'S BOOKSHELF.

Registered by BookRayGirl for the purposes of tracking the book-ray!

CHECK OUT THE HOME-PAGE FOR THE BOOK-RAY HERE.

Released on Wednesday, February 05, 2003 at Sent to a bookcrosser in Royal Mail, City of London, England United Kingdom.

Sent to bookcookie39.

Happy travels!!

I'm the first person on the list for this BookRay, and I'm looking forward to reading this highly praised novel. Since other people are waiting for it, it will go straight to the top of the TBR stack!

This book landed on my "have-to-read" list as I read one great reivew after another, and the awards and honors racked up. Thanks to LeighBCD/BookRayGirl for sending this copy out into the BookCrossing world!

This is definitely not a quick read. The writing style is very straightforward, so that in itself is not hard to get through, but much the action is internal and the story is definitely more character- than plot-driven. I felt the central characters were well-developed and that I could understand, if not necesarily empathize with, them.

The central themes revolve around the idea that there are consequences to our actions, including the actions we take through our misunderstanding or misinterpretation of other people's actions (think about the times you've jumped to a conclusion and acted on that, and learned something later that made you realize your reaction was a mistake based on a mistake). There's also the idea that no matter how much we try to make up for those wrong actions, we may never be granted forgiveness or make reconciliation.

I found the book to be very engaging in some parts, emotionally true, and ultimately both sad and affirming. I think I won't forget it quickly. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to read it, but I'm left feeling more respect and admiration than real affection for it.

The book moves on to jmg49 in Ontario next. I'm looking forward to reading what the rest of the Bookray members think of it.

Released on Friday, March 14, 2003 at via postal mail in Newbury Park, California USA.

Sent to the next person in the Bookray - jmg49 in Ontario. Looking forward to seeing what other readers think of this book!

I received this book in the mail today. I will read it promptly, and ship it off to the next person in line.

I should finish this book this weekend and will be ready to send it on to the next person on the list.

I found this book rather hard to get into at first, but ultimately a good read.

I am waiting for the next person's address so that I can send it on.

Released on Monday, April 07, 2003 at Post Office in Woodstock, Ontario Canada.

Mailed to the next person in the Bookray "djf1968" in California today.

Just got this today... will read it ASAP.

Life has intervened this spring, and I'm afraid it's taken its toll on my "free" time for recreational reading. I can't in good conscience hang onto this any longer in the hopes I'll get to it "soon". As soon as I hear from Mandali, this book's on its way to Seattle. It's a book I really wanted to read, so when things calm down a bit I'll pick up a library copy and journal my thoughts here when I'm finished. Thank you for sharing, Leigh... I'm sorry I've hung onto it so long!

I just received this in the mail from djf1968 and am looking forward to reading it. Thank you BookRayGirl for starting this book on its journey and thank you djf1968 for sending it to me. I will begin reading it tonight.

This is the first book by Ian McEwan that I have read and it certainly won’t be the last. It took me longer than usual to read this book as I slowed down to more fully enjoy the well crafted writing. Almost two separate books bound together by the main characters, Atonement is an engrossing and at times difficult story of the consequences of a child’s actions.

Thank you BookRayGirl (LeighBCD) for sharing this book. I will be sending this to lucycat soon.

Mailed this to lucycat about noon on Friday as we move down the bookray list.

Thanks so much, Laurel (and everyone!) for passing this along to me...I'll make a start on it this week and get it back on the road again as soon as possible.

Thanks again.

Update 17/8/03

A really pleasant surprise. I half (more than half if I'm being completely honest) expected this to be a touch dry for my tastes...I've been steeped in the 'comfort-reading' zone for the last month or so, but I was completely gripped by this quietly lyrical tale of misinterpretation, (sometimes accidental, once viciously deliberate), repercussion and atonement.

I found it to be an extraordinarily quick read, too...or maybe it was just that I couldn't put it down...so it'll be heading off in the morning to Spikesmom over in the US.

Released on Monday, August 18, 2003 at http://spikesmom.bookcrossing.com in Mars, Pennsylvania USA.

Off, off and away in Monday's post to Spikesmom over in the US, so hopefully it'll be landing sometime next week!

Enjoy the book. :O)

Just received today -- thanks, Lucy, for all the goodies. I'll be passing the bookmark along -- it's too nice not to share.

I'll try to repair some pages; they are coming loose. If I can't, or the book dies on me, I'll gladly replace it, keep the same BCID, and junk this one. Not a problem ... but I do hope it makes it! I hate it when things die in my hands! :eek:

Sigh. I should know better than to try to read books that are nominated for the major awards, and this was up for the Booker. They are just too literary for this rock-and-roll girl...

I don't doubt that it's an excellent book. And I often don't mind working for my books, either. Yet this just isn't doing a darn thing for me except making me frustrated, impatient, and angry.

Off to woodsroy with hopes for a better reception.

Just got this in the mail today. I will get to it immediately!

Released on Monday, September 22, 2003 at Fellow BookCrosser in Fort Collins, Colorado USA.

I read the first four chapters and just couldn't get into it. I don't think it's the book's fault though. I just started a new job and am very preoccupied with things at work. So I'm sending this on to someone who'll appreciate it more than I have.

RIP...

This book ray seems dead and buried... if you happen to see this, and would like to join the re-born bookray for Atonement, please send me a PM.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this bookray - I hope you enjoyed the novel.

Have not read it yet

CAUGHT IN SOLWEZI ZAMBIA