On Chesil Beach: A Novel
2 journalers for this copy...
New.
www.bn.com
Synopsis
A novel of remarkable depth and poignancy from one of the most acclaimed writers of our time.
It is July 1962. Florence is a talented musician who dreams of a career on the concert stage and of the perfect life she will create with Edward, an earnest young history student at University College of London, who unexpectedly wooed and won her heart. Newly married that morning, both virgins, Edward and Florence arrive at a hotel on the Dorset coast. At dinner in their rooms they struggle to suppress their worries about the wedding night to come. Edward, eager for rapture, frets over Florence’s response to his advances and nurses a private fear of failure, while Florence’s anxieties run deeper: she is overcome by sheer disgust at the idea of physical contact, but dreads disappointing her husband when they finally lie down together in the honeymoon suite.
Ian McEwan has caught with understanding and compassion the innocence of Edward and Florence at a time when marriage was presumed to be the outward sign of maturity and independence. On Chesil Beach is another masterwork from McEwan—a story of lives transformed by a gesture not made or a word not spoken.
www.bn.com
Synopsis
A novel of remarkable depth and poignancy from one of the most acclaimed writers of our time.
It is July 1962. Florence is a talented musician who dreams of a career on the concert stage and of the perfect life she will create with Edward, an earnest young history student at University College of London, who unexpectedly wooed and won her heart. Newly married that morning, both virgins, Edward and Florence arrive at a hotel on the Dorset coast. At dinner in their rooms they struggle to suppress their worries about the wedding night to come. Edward, eager for rapture, frets over Florence’s response to his advances and nurses a private fear of failure, while Florence’s anxieties run deeper: she is overcome by sheer disgust at the idea of physical contact, but dreads disappointing her husband when they finally lie down together in the honeymoon suite.
Ian McEwan has caught with understanding and compassion the innocence of Edward and Florence at a time when marriage was presumed to be the outward sign of maturity and independence. On Chesil Beach is another masterwork from McEwan—a story of lives transformed by a gesture not made or a word not spoken.
I didn't hate this book, but I can't say I loved it either. I have picked up quite a few books by McEwan and each time I put them back. I am not sure "why" I do this, but I do. I finally decide to read a book by this author and don't "really" get into it. I am not sure if it's just "this book" or if it's McEwan's writing in general.
Well, at least this one's short!
Passing it along to my Spring Basket buddy! Hope she likes it! (better than me!)
Mailing 3/25/2008.
Well, at least this one's short!
Passing it along to my Spring Basket buddy! Hope she likes it! (better than me!)
Mailing 3/25/2008.
Ian McEwan proves once again that he is brilliant at conveying emotions and desires through beautiful, subtle writing.
“On Chesil Beach” is set on the first night of the Honeymoon for the two main characters, Edward and Florence. The story is heavy flashbacks, which reveal a range of complexities that spell impending doom for the newlyweds. The book is really a gorgeously told train wreck. McEwan is such an adept writer, that he is able to pack in a ton of character information into this short novel and it never feels anything less than perfectly crafted, as he does not waste words or have extraneous information. The story is simply beautifully done.
Releasing at the Goodreads Book Swap at Book Soup on 5/22/10. I hope it find someone who will "Catch" it!
“On Chesil Beach” is set on the first night of the Honeymoon for the two main characters, Edward and Florence. The story is heavy flashbacks, which reveal a range of complexities that spell impending doom for the newlyweds. The book is really a gorgeously told train wreck. McEwan is such an adept writer, that he is able to pack in a ton of character information into this short novel and it never feels anything less than perfectly crafted, as he does not waste words or have extraneous information. The story is simply beautifully done.
Releasing at the Goodreads Book Swap at Book Soup on 5/22/10. I hope it find someone who will "Catch" it!
