So, Chesil Beach ... what dyou think?

[Bink]

I think it's quite good.
I think it (rather gently) breaks new ground, but at same time isn't trying to be anything more than a Novella (haven't seen that term in a while).

I also like that it seems to me a sort of oblique "answer" - or re-thinking - of The French Lieutenant's Woman. I wonder if it is, on purpose, at all? As it makes a nicely thoughtful riposte to the posturingy bits of John Fowles.

Separately: anyone seen any nice side-zipped narrow-legged linen trousers anywhere?

bran - that's exactly how I felt about the book, but unlike you I loved it for that!

I always feel that McEwan's characters aren't fully-formed people in their own right, but are rather like pawns within a larger gameplan.
The only other McEwan novels I've read are Atonement (which I loved) and Saturday (which I thought was dire). What I felt both novels shared was a desire to depict middle-class guilt and morality (the true nature of motivation for one's actions, as can be seen in 18th century english novels). However, I couldn't see how On Chesil Beach fitted in this grand scheme.

Am I reading too much into McEwan or can someone see the point I'm trying to make?

I thought it was poor. He kept ramming home the point that these people were victims of their class and background and time, as if we were too thick to get it.

As a strand in a bigger novel about the social changes of the 60s it could have worked quite well. On its own it felt slight and frustrating.

I really liked it, particularly after Saturday, which I was disappointed by. UD, I know what you mean about it being slight, but I think I actually prefer McEwan when he's being slight, IYKWIM. In my opinion, what he does best is the massive impact of minor incidents and even thought processes on individuals' lives. I loved Black Dogs for that reason, and maybe it's why I didn't like Saturday - there was just too much 'story'. And probably the same reason that I like the first half of Atonement much more than the end.

But I agree Chesil Beach was a bit 'over-explained', particularly the last few pages.

suedonim that's why I disliked it, the implication that if only HE had done something different all could have been saved. Personally I thought she behaved dreadfully. Either there was something more fundamental behind her rejection (like previous abuse) or the marriage was built on very shallow grounds. Clearly it was sexually, as the impression I have is that really she didn't actually fancy him (possibly she didn't know how to, but the only time I have had a kiss like that I was in a relationship where I really liked the guy, but there was absolutely no chemistry).

I did find it embarrassing that my mother was going on about the book to my dad when I was there, but then she has no qualms in telling me that their marriage is now "chaste". She also told me when I was young and impressionable that she was more interested in the horse in the field than my poor father when he proposed to her...

She got a little peeved when I told her that the book had only increased my belief that you should NEVER approach your marriage as a virgin.

I think I agree with MrsBumblebee. I quite liked the fact it was 'slight'. That's what I needed as I'd just emerged from reading An Introduction to Judaism, which challenged my brain cells a step too far.

Am wondering whether to suggest this book for my book group....

Mrs Bumblebee I couldn't agree with you less. Nothing happened, all the way through I was waiting for something to happen, and very little did. I think the opposite of you about Atonement too - the first half was SO slow I had to prop my eyes open with matchsticks to get through! The second half was much better.

What is with the tragic endings though. Think I am a happy endings girl, I am always disappointed with an open or unhappy ending.

Noooo - her dad didn't abuse her, did he? He was quite distant, but that doesn't explain her complex reasons of fear of intimacy?

My mom read the last few pages because she couldn't stand the suspense... cheating, I thought!