Back cover reads: On a summer day in 1935, young Briony Tallis witnesses a moment's flirtation between her older sister, Cacilia, and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant. But Briony's misunderstanding of adult motives and her precocious imagination bring about a crime that will change all their lives, a crime whose repercussions Atonement follows through the chaos and carnage of World War II and into the close of the 20th century.
This was an OK book. It didn't follow WWII as much as the back flap would lead you to believe. Half of it was spent in one day of story-time.
McEwan is a great writer. His characterization and plot was superb, and I really enjoy reading it up until the end. I won't spoil it here, but the ending was a complete disappointment and left me doubting McEwan's skill at properly executing anything else he might write. I'm mystified by how this became a movie. I think it would be horribly botched and messy in film format. It is a good story, and I enjoyed his writing, but the ending is the most important part of the story once you've been hooked, isn't it? The climax should be good. Instead, I felt cheated as a reader. If you read it, you may know what I am saying.
I have a longer complaint on my reader's blog if anyone is curious: What am I reading?
Has anyone else read this? I would love to swap opinions.
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Reviews: 2058