Book Review #19

The Child in Time
by Ian McEwan

This is the twelfth work of fiction by Ian McEwan that I've read. It's a good book and well written with some beautiful passages and monologues, though it is not one of my favorites. The premise, as opposed to plot, is the disintegration of Stephen and Julie's marriage after their daughter Kate is kidnapped. But it is also about the fluidity of time. At one point Stephen literally goes back in time, witnessing his parents at a crucial moment in their lives in which his destiny is decided. At moments the book is satirical and Swiftian, as it mocks child rearing practices. There is also the story line of Charles, Stephen's friend, who has a breakdown and reverts to behaving like a child. The novel meanders and goes off in any number of directions, including poking fun at the book's prime minister as well as dealing with class structure and the plight of the poor and the homeless. There were times when I wasn't sure where I was or where the book was headed. But McEwan is obviously a very fine and talented writer. So even though the book was frustrating at times, it held my interest and kept me reading.