currently reading (10/17/2005); I'll decide to keep/let go after I've finished.

Absolutely loved the macro/micro look at the nature of violence in the world, probably more than anything else (even the musings on life and literature) in this novel. I also can sympathize with the main character, Henry, because of my own experiences with trying to fold myself up and stay within the little world of family & daily life, and hating anything that may threaten it. Sometimes when I'm out in my garden, working with my hands and feeling at peace, sometimes the thought crosses my mind that (in pure post 9/11 pessimism and fear) if something happens, it will be on a day like today. I also get these thoughts going that all I want to do is to keep things the way they are now forever. But everything can so easily change; and that's why this novel is really one of those books that most everyone can relate to.

Not one of my absolute favorites for this month, but it is quite good and I do recommend it. If you start reading and think you're going to die of boredom, don't give up!

going to lilo37fee, a bookcrosser in Germany! Yay!

Thank you very much! It arrived today. After I came home frome a quite exhausting day at work I saw the american envelope and was very excited! Thank you! Bookcrossers really are a very nice and friendly community!!!

I really enjoyed reading the book and it gave me a new re- thinking of views I always took for granted.
Ian McEwan develops very slowley and in every detail the day of Henry Perowne, he describes every thaught this man has, every little move he makes, everything that happens to him on this Saturday. I thought this could be boring- but it is not at all. I actually found it very exciting. The day the story takes place is the day when in many capitals people demonstrate against the starting war in Iraq. So this is the topic the book goes on and on about- about violence in private and in politic, and how to deal with it. It is very well written and has brilliant scenes in it.
Unfortunatelly my english is not good enough to express well what I think about all the facettes of this book ;-)
The only thing I found disturbing is the fact, that both children have a major talent for the arts. I would have prefererred one to be "normal", not outstanding.
Thank you, quinnsmum for sharing the book with me. Now it will travel to TTigerHH. Enjoy!

Thank you, lilo37fee, for sending the book!

I liked the book very much. It was the first novel I read that deals with the consequences of 9/11. I also liked the fact that it is written from Henrys view and takes place on one day. Maybe now I'll try again to read 'Ulysses' ...

The book goes to Australia to djbebe
, being part of my Lifetime Challenge.

Look here:
http://www.bookcrossers.de/bc_link/bookcrossing.com?page=forum/23/1265583

After almost giving up, thinking this book was lost in the postal wilderness - it arrived yesterday! Thanks Lilo37fee!

My apologies for taking so long to journal this, djbebe! We're in the middle of a full house painting spree, and it got buried amongst the 'stuff' on my kitchen table! :-) Anyway, the book has now surfaced and is going on to my TBR pile. Hopefully to be read soon.