On Chesil Beach in Constant Reader

Jan 07, 2008 Jennifer rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. First I must say this about McEwan's writing: it is masterful and simply superb. It is beyond evident that his writing is a painstaking craft which is wrought beautifully and his writing not easily set aside. I read this book in less than a day and I have two small children!

On the other hand, I wanted to enjoy this story. I wanted to see redemption. Set on the cusp of the sexual revolution where the strings of marriage in industrial countries is beginning to be tugged upon thus starting the unr First I must say this about McEwan's writing: it is masterful and simply superb. It is beyond evident that his writing is a painstaking craft which is wrought beautifully and his writing not easily set aside. I read this book in less than a day and I have two small children!

On the other hand, I wanted to enjoy this story. I wanted to see redemption. Set on the cusp of the sexual revolution where the strings of marriage in industrial countries is beginning to be tugged upon thus starting the unraveling of it as an institution that we have come to see today, I truly wanted all to be brought to rights. This young couple who saved themselves for their wedding night, one for reasons of detachment and innocence, the other for his notions of propriety and making a woman honest. Whether it was due to their lack of knowledge or their upbringing and add the popular culture of the time, the "mess" that occurs is hardly anyone's blame, but a complete compilation of it all. Furthermore, this could be seen as an indictment of the pressure and undue importance that is placed upon sex within and outside of marriage. While it certainly has it's place and importance, this whole novel is a build up of it within each of their minds that essentially set themselves up for "the mess".

Also, while I wanted them to return to the room and work it out and move on, I can't say I am completely surprised that they didn't. Their immaturity in this matter is blatant as they simply could not even have a decent honest conversation about it and even if they could not because of their archaic senses of decency, that sense of decency alone, should have held enough to maintain that marriage is not something to be cast aside simply because in hours after the ceremony there is a failure to consummate. What pressure!!

McEwan has layered so much through this short novel: the families, the characters, the time, the setting, it all comes alive as a separate entity playing a role. Is this novel an indictment of the sexual revolution, of marriage itself? The pressures of sex within marriage? Without? That first and/or young love is doomed to fail from the combination of these things? Or is it that all these things make young love going into marriage rendered unnecessary? I love that it makes you think, but I am slightly disappointed.

All in all, his writing is lovely, however. ...more

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Jan 04, 2008 Peter rated it it was amazing

Life's greatest tragedies are not always the most dramatic, the diseases and untimely deaths. They are frequently the smallest, most remediable -- but ultimately unremediated -- difficulties.

On Chesil Beach is a tragedy of the most sublime kind; not a bang but a whimper, the simple set of fears, lies, weaknesses, and desires that everyone is prey to, but to which only some fall victim with such fatal inevitability.

Two young people, very much in love, sincere in their concern for the other, each ...more

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Jan 18, 2008 Dottie rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, reading-list, ocitylibrary, 2008

Had to read this before some others as it is the only one of the library books that I couldn't renew -- sigh -- I'm hoping it won't all fade away as fast as I finish it because I'm really anxious for the discussion

I am loving the back and forth between "the night" and the past year's events and what little of the past gets mixed into the latter sections. I like the characters -- I fear for them and I empathize with the events which have formed them. I see nothing good ahead -- but I can't possib ...more

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Aug 06, 2009 Lisa rated it did not like it

The blurb on the front of my copy the book says"breathtaking". I think my one word description would be "unforgetable". This short novel follows the first few hours of married life for Edward and Florence. For a novel to cover such a small window in time you must know that there will be no wasted sentences. Every moment we are witness to their first uncomfortable hours of marriage or the characters lament on their earlier lives.I ended up thinking of it as a cautionary tale by the authors words ...more

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Jan 07, 2010 Gail rated it did not like it

Shelves: 2010

I've liked most of what I've read by McEwan. This book was a dreadful disappointment. I didn't like the premise, which seemed silly in the extreme, I didn't like the almost clinical and heavily overdone emphasis on the sex act. It might possibly have worked as a rather odd short story, but stretched very thin to novel length, this book is just a sad waste of talent. ...more

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Aug 12, 2010 Lindsey rated it really liked it

This novel is about the honeymoon night of a pair of young newlyweds.

It's a novel about expectations, hopes, fears and humanity.

Mr. McEwan has enormous talent for revealing to readers the foundations of his characters' actions, thoughts and beliefs, all without the characters understanding these things themselves; and so, with an insight atypical to Real Life, the reader sees the potential for good and unfortunate outcomes based upon simple everyday actions, and cannot help but wait, captive, ...more

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Jan 25, 2008 Courtney Stirrat rated it it was amazing

Shelves: oneofthosebooksyoujusthavetoread, modernlit, book-group, own, audible

A truly heartbreaking book of staggering genius. (For real). I cannot seem to get enough of Ian McEwan. His interviews are brilliant. His conversations with other literary pieces amazing and his writing is flawless. J'adore. ...more

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May 13, 2008 Tamela rated it liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2008

Life is very complicated.
I seem to keep reading, what appears to me, parallel books. I read about a sex addict in Choke and now this, the opposite? Interesting choice of topic, on my part, and the authors. I also read I'd Rather Eat Chocolate... ...more

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Jan 14, 2008 Robin rated it liked it

Shelves: generalfiction, 2008

This was a very short read, but I wouldn't consider it "fluffy" by any means. It really makes you think about the effects of what you don't say and what you do say on other people. ...more

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Jan 16, 2008 Kyle rated it really liked it

Shelves: to-read-next

an absolutely beautifully written nugget in the form of an autopsy on failed human communication and interaction. what an extraordinary writer. i am RUNNING to all his other books.

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Feb 01, 2008 Jim rated it liked it

Shelves: literary

A bad wedding night for a couple of people who are way too tightly strung. Some may want to blame this on the fifties. I am more inclined to blame the people.

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