On Chesil Beach in Around the World in 80 Books

Jul 09, 2013 Coqueline rated it liked it · review of another edition

I had a hard time deciding how I should rate this book. It wasn't a particularly joyful experience to read, but I do admire how the book was constructed, out of a couple of hours in the newlyweds' life. I got mesmerised by all the slow, minute observations that reminds me a lot of Yasunari Kawabata's work. I could tell that the story wouldn't end happily, but it kept me guessing at how unhappily it would end until then.

I would give it 3.5 stars if it were possible. ...more

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Jun 22, 2008 Kaley rated it it was amazing

What I loved the most about this book is McEwan's amazing ability to drift seamlessly back-and-forth between the minds and motivations of the two characters, and between time periods present, past and in-between.
The prose is beautiful, evocative, languid. He is a wonderful writer.
Truly a joy to read... finished in a day. ...more

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Mar 18, 2008 Sunflower rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction-read-earlier, fiction-read-2008

A short but penetrative (oops) novella about a defining moment in the life of a newlywed couple. Interesting that he chose to set the story in the 60's, as it felt a lot earlier in time, but still believable in the context of human relationships and how momentous things can turn on something unsaid or undone...... ...more

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Nov 14, 2008 Neil rated it liked it

Shelves: relationships, historical

I know its well written and the characters are well drawn and there is a great narrative flow I just find it hard to warm to anyone and find the book a little too detached

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