On My Nightstand: Atonement by Ian McEwan
I borrowed this book from M, and he says I could keep it. That’s how much he didn’t like it.
I was told that it was a bit of a struggle to read the first half–I realized it was because I thought the writer was a bit self-indulgent, over-describing things that didn’t need detailed imagery. “Exactly!” agreed M. “And his descriptions aren’t even that great. It’s like he likes hearing himself talk.”
The book is about 13-year-old Briony Tallis, a lie she tells; the incredibly damaging effects it has on her life, and on the lives of others; and how she spends her life atoning for her sin. [SPOILER ALERT! STOP READING IF YOU INTEND TO READ THIS BOOK, OR SEE THE MOVIE.] There’s a twist towards the end of this book, so I can understand why it was written that way–we find out in the third part that the first two parts were actually a manuscript that Briony has written. A brilliant twist, not entirely unexpected, but it explained a lot.
I can understand why people are generally all praises for this book. But whether Ian McEwan wrote this as Briony or not, at the end of the day, I just didn’t like the way it was written. And that Briony tried to make up for ruining the lives of her sister and her beloved by giving them some semblance of a happy reunion on print–well, it didn’t really sit well with me. To me, the turmoil she caused could never be healed by a fake happy ending. And she knows it too, I know. I guess I just hate it when it seems things are left unresolved.
M and I had a ten-minute rant-fest after I finished reading the book, just saying what we didn’t like about it. One reviewer said something about how eloquently it was written, and I was like, “Eloquent is one thing, wordy is another!” To which M said “High five!” Still, I can’t say I hated the book. OK, so it wasn’t to my liking, but I could appreciate what McEwan tried to do (or what he successfully did, in the eyes of many). It is brilliant in its own right, but it didn’t land on my list of favorites.
I wonder if the movie’s any good.
Hey, i saw the movie…Equally disheartening. I agree that giving them a fictional happy ending isn’t what would “atone” for any of it.
I didn’t like it either probably because I believe that movies are an escape from life wherein for 2-3 hours you’re allowed to believe that everything and anything is possible. You’re supposed to feel good after. So maybe it’s just me…
Comment by Mikki — April 3, 2008 @ 3:33 pm
Hmmm…I’m getting mixed reviews about this movie. Is it still out?
I know a few people who hate happy endings. Personally, I prefer happy endings, but believe that some endings are better when they aren’t. In this case, I just didn’t like it. Or maybe I just didn’t like Briony’s character to begin with. Haha.
Comment by Tisha — April 3, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
Haven’t read the book but I watched the movie. I like this story because the ending isn’t predictable. Not all of us can lead fairytale lives, or a “happy-ever-after”. Some people, even women, make mistakes — whether consciously or unplanned — and wish they can take them back, not only because they themselves are suffering but other people do too, as a consequence. Sad but true, these haunt people for the rest of their lives. For me, this story has a good moral lesson; we must instill even in children the ability to make good decisions, which might affect the rest of their lives..
Comment by Jayjay — April 8, 2008 @ 11:35 pm
Keira Knightley said in an interview that people would be devastated after watching this movie. Haven’t read the book but I just saw the movie over the weekend and yes it was depressing, but I think I kinda liked it because of that. I like devastating endings sometimes.
I’m still trying to decide whether to read the book or not.
Comment by Lei — April 14, 2008 @ 11:34 am
Maybe you should. I think the consensus is that it’s one of the best books, like, ever. But I just didn’t like the way it was written. And I didn’t like Briony. (May galit talaga eh. Haha.)
Comment by Tisha — April 14, 2008 @ 5:16 pm