Atonement
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I HATED this movie is the book worth reading?
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Feb 11, 2014 01:04AM
one of the best!
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I couldn't bring myself to see the movie, because I loved the book so much. I've read a lot of his work, and this one blew me away. I can't imagine a movie doing it justice. It's all about the writing.
I'm with Heather on this. I liked the book but didn't love it. But I'm still haunted by it years later and find myself thinking about it because something has reminded me of it.A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Halpern is book set in the same period that I enjoyed very much.
I think Atonement is the greatest book of the 21st century.
I thought the book great -but didn't relate to the film
i did not think that this was worth reading
Contrary to popular opinion, I think Atonement is one of McEwan's weakest books. The prose is fantastic, but nothing more.
Marella wrote: "Well, as a fan of his writing, I seem to find myself in a minority. I liked the movie, but I must admit that the book holds many more nooks and crooks for the reader to enjoy. I loved the structure..."Marella, I agree. I know you made this point months ago, but I've only just seen this thread. I think Ian McEwan is an incredible writer. I even enjoyed his book Saturday, which is only about 1 day, just because his writing is so wonderful. He could write about anything and I'd be gripped. I enjoyed the book, Atonement. Films can be frustrating on so many levels. If the main actor/actress is not a favourite, it can colour the pleasure of the film. If the choice of music leaves something to be desired, then likewise. The book is the purest and most comprehensive form of storytelling for me, and always goes beyond the capacity of a film. Ian McEwan's work is always worth reading.
Actually it was one of my favorite books from Ian McEwan.I like this autor very much and read several Of his books.
Saturday is still my top favorite from him.
I enjoyed the movie as well nevertheless the book was better, at least for me. I believe we miss a lot watching the movie.
Oh and against the majority of the opinions I enjoyed the fIrst parts of the book better....
Rute wrote: "Actually it was one of my favorite books from Ian McEwan.I like this autor very much and read several Of his books.
Saturday is still my top favorite from him.
I enjoyed the movie as well neverthe..."
Rute - thinking about my favourite Ian McEwan novel, I'm torn between A Child in Time and Solar. When I read the reviews on these books, I'm always amazed that people don't appreciate the brilliance at work. Shame on them.
Tori wrote: "Rute wrote: "Actually it was one of my favorite books from Ian McEwan.I like this autor very much and read several Of his books.
Saturday is still my top favorite from him.
I enjoyed the movie as ..."
The ones that stands out for me are On Chesil Beach and Saturday.
Paul Martin wrote: "Tori wrote: "Rute wrote: "Actually it was one of my favorite books from Ian McEwan.I like this autor very much and read several Of his books.
Saturday is still my top favorite from him.
I enjoyed ..."
paul i guess i enjoyed
First Love, Last Rites: Stories
the most now that I think about it a little further. Not for the weak though ;-) (and for mature readers only)
But Saturday touches me so deeply because it was the very first book i read from him... oh I'm not sure which one anymore. ... :-)
Tori wrote: "Rute wrote: "Actually it was one of my favorite books from Ian McEwan.
I like this autor very much and read several Of his books.
Saturday is still my top favorite from him.
I enjoyed the movie as ..."
I never read those 2. I guess one day i might. What did you like the most about those 2?
Currently I'm in the middle of Mel reading. :-)
A Child in Time was harrowing, but so sensitively done, as is McEwan's trademark. So subtle! I don't mind a sad read as long as it's brilliantly accomplished, and it was. Solar - oh so different to his usual, if there is a usual book for him. His writing is so versatile and diverse. The protagonist Michael Beard, is a Nobel Prize winner for science. And he's vile. It was fascinating to get into the head of that character and the way he rationalises his behaviour. I was in awe of the characterisation. Very clever. If you're going to create a nasty protagonist, which the reader will love to hate, you'd better (as a writer) do it very well. McEwan does, of course. He's utterly gifted. I forgot about another favourite: On Chesil Beach. Brilliant short book. If you've never read it, it will take an afternoon, and so worth it.
Tori wrote: "A Child in Time was harrowing, but so sensitively done, as is McEwan's trademark. So subtle! I don't mind a sad read as long as it's brilliantly accomplished, and it was. Solar - oh so different to..."I also love his writting. I think he is really good and very ecletic too.
and i recon he can be very technician but without being boring, because he writes so well.
I appreciate his hard investigation for the books. I agree with you, his characters are very well built. the protagonist from Saturday was absolutely amazinG.
2days ago i was with solar on my hand at a bookstore. But know i want to read other books before that one. ;-)
delayed is not forgotten
I think Ian McEwan books are studied on school in England am i right?
Well for all those who love his writing: I have heard that his latest novel is soon to be published. Can't wait!!
for me, NO. I actually saw both and I liked the movie more. Maybe because it is shorter to watch a 2 h movie than reading a book?
I put it in the same bracket as the great Great Gatsby. It may have been a good and accurate portrayal of life at that time but it's not a great read. I've read a number of other McEwan books and they all beat this one.
The essence of the book was missing from the movie, all the facts were there but it was very flat by comparison. As children we make thoughtless decisions innocent of the possible outcome of our behaviour. As an adult I look back on my own 'near misses' that could have ended tragically for others. When I read the story I felt the guilt that could have been mine.
Ken wrote: "I put it in the same bracket as the great Great Gatsby. It may have been a good and accurate portrayal of life at that time but it's not a great read. I've read a number of other McEwan books and t..."Hi Ken,
I did not like this book and this was his only book I read. Can you suggest one you really liked? I would like to give McEwan another chance.
it was a great book and a good enough movie
Marcella wrote: "Ken wrote: "I put it in the same bracket as the great Great Gatsby. It may have been a good and accurate portrayal of life at that time but it's not a great read. I've read a number of other McEwan..."Hi Marcella,
Atonement was riddled with class and it showed that even the most progressive of people, at the time closed ranks to protect their own class. It did that quite well. However as a story I thought it lost it's way. Probably my favourite McEwan book is "On Chesil Beach". It's short, it's sad, and it feels so real that you want to shake the characters and tell them to wake up.
Another is "A Child in Time" which gets a bit weird in places but the passage where the main character is walking home knowing he has to tell his wife that he has lost their daughter, is masterful.
I found both the book and movie to be great. I believe the movie was a great companion for the book; a movie adaptation I actually enjoyed watching.
I read the book first and then saw the movie. I thought both were great and that the movie was pretty faithful to the book. To each his/her own.
I read the book first, then saw the film. It's beautifully shot, the actors look great, the long tracking-shot in Dunkirk is incredible. But some of the dialogue is indistinct, especially from Knightley; and some scenes from the book are missing or re-arranged: the character's views of the fountain scene are presented in a different order; and there's a Stuka attack missing from the film too.Personally, I prefer the internal monologues in the book which help to explain what's going on. The film seems only to hint at things which are more fully explained in the book.
Ken wrote: "Marcella wrote: "Ken wrote: "I put it in the same bracket as the great Great Gatsby. It may have been a good and accurate portrayal of life at that time but it's not a great read. I've read a numbe..."Thank you. I'll have a look at them.
I have only seen the movie - and loved it! NOW I will have to get the book!
Me too. Liked the movie, disliked the book. Ian McEwan's writing style is too OTT for me...
I saw the movie first and really liked it. Briny is an unforgettable character. And since the theme is truth/lies and reality/perception, it demonstrates how one lie destroys the lives of two people. The book, of course, is more subtle. The Battle of Dunkirk was an actual battle during World War II and is worthy of a book and movie by itself. Both the book and movie are better than average.
Descriptive details are part of writing. A writer has to show with words. Some of the best writers are known for their description. Twitter and other contemporary media have led to short attention spans. Enjoy the richness of the novel.
I loved the book, still haven't seen the movie.
My favourite book of recent years. Most films are inferior to the books they are adapted from, this one is faithful to the book, is well made, well acted, well made in every department but still lacks the magic of the book... As one would expect
As usual book better than film.
I do think that the movie was better. About the book, I loved the story but the way it's narrated.. confusing. Also, my English is pretty solid but still had difficulties while reading it.
The book is amazing, but unfilmable. The film proves the latter.
To me, the book was amazing. And of course, I always try to read the book first because it holds the author's original intention. The film disappointed me, mainly because it changed the ending, which was the whole bloody point of the book! GAAAAAH. So yes, I think you should read the book, if you haven't already.
I try not to watch a movie that is based on a book until I have read the book. But with "Atonement," it just so happened that I watched the movie first. Then I almost didn't want to read the book because the movie was horrible. Recently and about two years after watching the movie, I decided to read the book. I am so glad I did! It's a beautiful piece of work. I strongly recommend that you read it.
Both the book and the movie drove me bonkers. But I found both entertaining. Jeez, what's that say about me?
I didn't see "Atonement" the movie. I liked the book. I like all of Ian McEwan's books (not always all of his characters). My favorite is his most recent: "The Children Act" is excellent.
I liked the movie better than the book. It was to slow in the beginning for me. And they didn't change very much in the movie.
I listened to the audiobook, and I really enjoyed it (though the wandering-through-fields-during-the-war part was a little slow for me). I recommended it to my nominal sister, and even the clerk at the book store was excited for her to read it. But she only got through a few chapters before banishing it from her house. I guess this book isn't for everyone.
"Tim wrote: I recommended it to my nominal sister"Nominal sister?
Paul Martin wrote: "Nominal sister?"Yeah, she's not related by blood or by any other way, except that my brother and I unofficially adopted her as our sibling, since we always wanted a sister and she always wanted brothers. It's working out for all of us. :-)
Tim wrote: "Paul Martin wrote: "Nominal sister?"Yeah, she's not related by blood or by any other way, except that my brother and I unofficially adopted her as our sibling, since we always wanted a sister and..."
Ah, get it! Sounds like a good deal; three is better than two :-)
I loved the book, it is so well written and the characters are so well developed. I felt like I knew each of them.The movie was okay and followed the book fairly well, but it just did not have the understanding of the characters that you get from the book..most especially Briony.
I have not seen the movie, but I would say it is worth reading the book. Do not expect to "like" the characters, though. They are all flawed, some more than others. Much to atone for.
Probably not if you didn't like the film
Don't judge the book by the movie--the book is so much better. I loved it enough to re-read it (more than once, acutally). I think the writing is magnificent.
If you hated the movie i wouldn't read the book because it's pretty mush the same storyline but more indepth. You get more details on what happened in the rape and what was actaully seen though.
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