Atonement

[roseability]

Has anyone else read this book and been deeply affected by it? I am obsessed with it and can't stop thinking about Robbie and Cecilia and how tragic their love is! I know, I know, it is just a book and I need to get a life! The description of their love making in the library is magnificent. Sigh

Yes I have seen the film, twice! Whilst I think it does the book justice, nothing can capture the wonderful literature. I thought James Mcavoy was very good as Robbie

hated atonement, bought it hardback when it came out. found it turgid, didn't care for the characters.actually don't like McEwan literature

I am considering reading On Chesil Beach, but suspect I will be disappointed after Atonement. Birdsong was one of the first books my DH bought me when we were at Uni. I can't remember it all that well, so must dig it out of the bookshelf! Haven't read The Secret History, must look it up.

I must admit, Briony Tallis is very dislikeable and I had little sympathy for her. What books affect you scottishmummy?

Atonement was very good, the book was much better than the film.

Villette by Charlotte Bronte - now THERE is a book to tug at your heart strings - unrequited love, beautiful setting, great characters, heartbreak, loneliness, pain, love, dusty attics, ghosts, pear trees...

I have just finished Atonement, and loved it. I saw the movie a while back.

Have started On Chesil Beach, pretty good so far.

I read the Secret History but didn't really get it.

I loved Birdsong, and Possession.

I'll be watching the film tonight so fingers crossed it is as good as the book.

I can usually see the twist coming a mile off but this one was so well done, so unexpected.

i've not read the book before, but the film was soo good!

Do not read "On Chesil beach". You will be disappointed with it after reading "Atonement". I had very high expectations and although it was a bit of a page turner, I felt very cheated at the end. I won't spoil it for you mm2boys.

I haven't read the book but loved the film especially the library scene.

On Chesil beach a much quicker read, but dare I say it - I liked it better. I just engaged more with the characters. Atonement was OK but have to say didn't really grab me, though did read it immediately post-natally so concentration not what it might have been.

oo I totally love Ian McEwen, he is my absolute favourite contemporary writer and Atonement currently sitting on my bedside table waiting to be read (once I've finished Eat, Pray, Love). I saw the movie and just adored it, anything with WW2, Love, Country houses, death, suffering etc etc just gets me all blubby, so can't wait to read it.

I liked 'On Chesil Beach' but remember it is really a short story/novella so it is rather different than a full scale meaty novel. V. interesting tho. Also loved Saturday, fascinating.

But then I am totally in love with his writing, so am probably a bit biased. McEwen writes so beautifully imo, some of his sentences are so lovely. Just such a pleasure to read - not just the story/plot but the writing itself is fab.

hi rose, hope u don't mine me posting on here, i saw ur post about attachment parenting on another thread and wanted to reply, but somewhere u'd actually notice (that other thread is long!)... i haven't followed any books but have been raising my daughter in a very natural attachment kind of way these last two yrs (i didn't plan it this way, it just kind of happened!)... wanted to give u my email in case u wanted to get in touch... chickenmama at hotmail . co .uk

Have to agree that Atonement was a fantastic book. Missed it at the cinema and am a bit reluctant to watch it on dvd - do you think the cinematography will work on a small screen?

But Birdsong is just the best book I have EVER read. It still haunts me and I must have read it about 5 years ago now. In fact, I must buy another copy and read it again - I lent it to someone.

Best book I've read lately is Wife in the North - it's an easy read, funny and sad by turn and I can SO identify with it as a wife who has been dragged around the world as DP's job moves him. Highly recommend it. And it's in small bite size chunks so easy to snatch a quick fix in the summer holidays before 'MU-UM....' (How do they manage to stretch that to 4 syllables?)

Oh, and On Chesil Beach was a bit diappointing. I read it too fast, kept thinking 'just bloody talk to him', and then was disappointed by the ending.