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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/815310.Saturday?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Saturday" border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1178649691m/815310.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/815310.Saturday?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">Saturday</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2408.Ian_McEwan">Ian McEwan</a> 
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/13038653?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a>
 rating: 3 of 5 stars Well, it's either "Saturday" or "Atonement". I opted for Saturday to see how this book goes as the blurp sounds interesting. 
 
 The story surrounds Henry Perowne, a successful neurosurgeon. On a Saturday, when London is preparing for an anti-war demonstration (Iraq War), Henry on his way to his weekly squash game was delayed not only by the demonstration but by an accident with some thugs, one of them having an ailment that Henry seems to have diagnosed. Fortunately, Henry was able to wiggle his way out of the incident, although shakened was able to continue with his planned activities for the day. 
 
 Well, most part of this novel centers around Henry's list of ordinary activities that he did on that day, what thoughts that went through his head, his flashbacks, among many others. I particularly like the discussion regarding the war especially his debate with his daughter, Daisy. I remembered how some of us (colleagues and family members) actually had the same kind of discussion on whether the war was justified or not and that Saddam needed to be disposed of or not. As in the novel, the discussions did become quite heated up. I also appreciate Henry's meeting with his mother at the home, who is suffering from dementia due to old age, as I reflect upon my own parents and myself on what happens if I were to grow old in future. The concern is that, for my case, who would be looking after me if this does happen as the likelihood of marriage is slim at this point of time. 
 
 I find the novel rather boring (in a way) saved only by the brief excitement that was brought into Henry's home when the thug Baxter, somehow managed to find his way to Henry's neighbourhood and intruded with an accomplice into his home at knife point. Somehow, McEwan's mundane and routine portrayal of Henry's acts through the day seems to lull the reader until at that precise moment of intrusion when the reader's adrenaline starts to run high. This however, was brief. Nevertheless, somehow, the book gets you thinking that there are thugs everywhere, at the world stage as well as at your own doorstep, so beware of the supposed tranquility. 
 
 Is this book a let down? In terms of exciting possibilities, yes but in terms of trying to see a bigger picture (whatever that you may want it to be), no, I guess. Personally like I said, the book is rather boring. Perhaps, I should have started with "Atonement" first as my friend had earlier suggested. An exerpt (pg. 66, this edition) that struck me would be Henry's thought on reading "...Nor does he really want to be a spectator of other lives, of imaginary lives,...Why make things up?" Hahahaha....
 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/808650?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>

Anuar's review
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** spoiler alert ** Well, it's either "Saturday" or "Atonement". I opted for Saturday to see how this book goes as the blurp sounds interesting.

The story surrounds Henry Perowne, a successful neurosurgeon. On a Saturday, when London is preparing for an anti-war demonstration (Iraq War), Henry on his way to his weekly squash game was delayed not only by the demonstration but by an accident with some thugs, one of them having an ailment that Henry seems to have diagnosed. Fortunately, Henry was able to wiggle his way out of the incident, although shakened was able to continue with his planned activities for the day.

Well, most part of this novel centers around Henry's list of ordinary activities that he did on that day, what thoughts that went through his head, his flashbacks, among many others. I particularly like the discussion regarding the war especially his debate with his daughter, Daisy. I remembered how some of us (colleagues and family members) actually had the sa...more Well, it's either "Saturday" or "Atonement". I opted for Saturday to see how this book goes as the blurp sounds interesting.

The story surrounds Henry Perowne, a successful neurosurgeon. On a Saturday, when London is preparing for an anti-war demonstration (Iraq War), Henry on his way to his weekly squash game was delayed not only by the demonstration but by an accident with some thugs, one of them having an ailment that Henry seems to have diagnosed. Fortunately, Henry was able to wiggle his way out of the incident, although shakened was able to continue with his planned activities for the day.

Well, most part of this novel centers around Henry's list of ordinary activities that he did on that day, what thoughts that went through his head, his flashbacks, among many others. I particularly like the discussion regarding the war especially his debate with his daughter, Daisy. I remembered how some of us (colleagues and family members) actually had the same kind of discussion on whether the war was justified or not and that Saddam needed to be disposed of or not. As in the novel, the discussions did become quite heated up. I also appreciate Henry's meeting with his mother at the home, who is suffering from dementia due to old age, as I reflect upon my own parents and myself on what happens if I were to grow old in future. The concern is that, for my case, who would be looking after me if this does happen as the likelihood of marriage is slim at this point of time.

I find the novel rather boring (in a way) saved only by the brief excitement that was brought into Henry's home when the thug Baxter, somehow managed to find his way to Henry's neighbourhood and intruded with an accomplice into his home at knife point. Somehow, McEwan's mundane and routine portrayal of Henry's acts through the day seems to lull the reader until at that precise moment of intrusion when the reader's adrenaline starts to run high. This however, was brief. Nevertheless, somehow, the book gets you thinking that there are thugs everywhere, at the world stage as well as at your own doorstep, so beware of the supposed tranquility.

Is this book a let down? In terms of exciting possibilities, yes but in terms of trying to see a bigger picture (whatever that you may want it to be), no, I guess. Personally like I said, the book is rather boring. Perhaps, I should have started with "Atonement" first as my friend had earlier suggested. An exerpt (pg. 66, this edition) that struck me would be Henry's thought on reading "...Nor does he really want to be a spectator of other lives, of imaginary lives,...Why make things up?" Hahahaha.......less

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