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Original poster

I LOVED Saturday. Which Ian McEwan should I read next?

32 replies

franch · 16/01/2009 11:48

Am slightly resisting Atonement because I never get on well with bestsellers (expectations too high probably)

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SoMuchToBits · 12/02/2009 14:23

Enduring Love and Amsterdam have been my favourites so far. (Not read all of them yet)

donnie · 12/02/2009 14:10

Enduring Love is brilliant - one of his very best, but Atonement has got to be his masterpiece. I liked On Chesil Beach but felt it was terribly dark. I found Saturday a bit too self conscious and self aware.

Quattrocento · 11/02/2009 23:35

Atonement is great, I think.

I haven't thought about Saturday properly - suspect the concept is a bit too poncey and contrived. Very dull. It's like reading Ulysses. Everyone tries it but few re-read it.

Poledra · 11/02/2009 23:31

Has anyone else read his collection of short stories, 'First Love, Last Rites'? Beautifully written and, IMO, quite disturbing.

ChipButty · 05/02/2009 12:56

Loved Saturday. On Chesil Beach v easy to read. A Child in Time is fantastic - harrowing, though, as others have said.

OrmIrian · 05/02/2009 12:45

Didn't like Saturday much. Found the main character annoying.

Enduring Love is very good (that is McEwan isn't it?)

grendel · 05/02/2009 12:41

I hated Saturday too. That bloody blow by blow account of a squash match. The endless fish cooking. We all know that something BAAAAD is going to happen, so JUST GET ON WITH IT!

Atonement on the other hand is just perfect.

ClaudiaSchiffer · 05/02/2009 07:41

I LOVED Saturday, think it's a great book. But I am a TOTAL McEwan fan. Read his earlier stuff years ago and can barely remember it, apart from a general sense of grimness. I liked Chesil Beach, thought it was beautifully written, but I can see how it can really irritate people. I second Enduring Love, loved that one too.

Threadworm · 04/02/2009 23:24

I loved The Cement Garden. Very bleak though, and a bit of a shock for anyone who has only read his mature fiction.

Swedes · 04/02/2009 23:13

Cement Garden

londonartemis · 04/02/2009 23:12

Atonement is miles better than anything else.

FeelingLucky · 04/02/2009 07:15

Franch, what did you love about SATURDAY. I hated it, so am curious. LOVED Atonement and On Chesil Beach though.

tjtheminx · 04/02/2009 02:59

Atonement, Atonement, Atonement.
HATED Chesil Beach
Loved Amsterdam too.

2toddlersandme · 16/01/2009 19:52

Another vote for Enduring Love. The beginning with the hot air balloon is just beautifully written.

Thanks for reminding me there are a few of his I haven't read yet.

Lotster · 16/01/2009 18:49

I've read The Innocent, it's a cold war thriller/love story. Not bad.

Also recommend Enduring Love. Was made for TV starring Daniel Craig and Rhys Ifans which was also good.

FfreckleFface · 16/01/2009 17:43

I hadn't considered that having a child would affect my enjoyment of a book, but now you mention A Child In Time I see that it could happen. I might give it a go to see if it is too harrowing for me now.

Atonement is great, as is Enduring Love. Enjoyed On Chesil Beach, but I think that was mostly because I live in one of the villages mentioned in it. [loser emoticon]

Bink · 16/01/2009 17:15

Yes, Waterland is Graham Swift too.

Who else do you like, franch?

WowOoo · 16/01/2009 16:59

Read them all and can recommend them all. Was jsut a bit disappointed with Chesil Beach, but then that's maybe why it's clever. (won't give any spoilers though)

Did Graham Swift write Waterland or was that another Graham. Have all his stuff in a box somewhere!

Notquitegrownup · 16/01/2009 16:57

I was going to say Amsterdam too. I also struggle to enjoy best sellers, but it is worth coming back to Atonement, when all of the hype has worn off. I really enjoyed it.

(Infact I could have written your post Beforesunrise!)

ilovelovemydog · 16/01/2009 16:55

My mother actually read the end of Chesil Beach first She said she couldn't stand the suspense!

Original poster
franch · 16/01/2009 16:52

Thanks all - you're right bink, I do like Graham Swift and enjoyed Last Orders!

OP posts:
BlueCowBackToWondering · 16/01/2009 12:34

All of 'em! I used to reread the child in time on an annual basis - not sure if I could now (as puppydetox)

Enduring love was great - best beginning ever to a novel.

Only one i hated was as mumblechum said - Black dog.

Seems I'm following the crowd here!

Cammelia · 16/01/2009 12:34

Amsterdam

beforesunrise · 16/01/2009 12:33

atonement is my favourite. liked Amsterdam. Disliked Enduring Love. HATED Chesil beach

FlossieT · 16/01/2009 12:31

@noonki - I find that really interesting, because I couldn't imagine how someone without kids could write that so well - capturing all those emotions.

I hated Chesil Beach, personally - seems to be a Marmite book. Enduring Love is very good; Atonement still my fave too.