is Atonement sexist?

104 replies

paintandbrush · 09/05/2016 19:16

Why?

I realise that it features a lot of female characters making poor choices, but the men aren't great either. There have been quite a few accusations of misogyny against McEwan for this one. Will anybody explain the logic behind it all?

OP posts:

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 10/05/2016 00:05

I don't think sexist is an appropriate criticism. 1 female character
and 1 male character behave appallingly and keep up a terrible lie. A second female character colluded with them.

It's terribly manipulative. Cecilia and Robbie are attractive characters in every sense of the word. The second part about the retreat to Dunkirk is very moving and in parts funny.

I found the twist shocking and burst into tears. I also sobbed at the film. But with hindsight it just leaves me now very cross at being manipulated. It's very clever (superficially) but ultimately an unsatisfying book.

MyCrispBag · 09/05/2016 23:25

Shiny

You are cleverer than I. I stuck with it after being told that the amazing ending makes sense of it all.

The ending made me want to hunt down Ian McEwan and chop off his hands for creating such a waste of my fucking time.

shinynewusername · 09/05/2016 23:11

No good asking me - I can't get through any of his books. I don't believe in the characters, especially the women.

MyCrispBag · 09/05/2016 22:58

It's wasn't interesting enough to be sexist.

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