Ian Mcewan

Forum

The cement garden. Well, i couldn't understand why i continued to read this book. When reading it i thought nothing much of it, however i continued nevertheless. he managed to keep me reading throughout, i couldn't put it down. There was nothing exciting happening, nothing i wanted to turn the page due to excitement of the event, simply amazing language and narrative techniques. I wanted to know why this boy thought in the way he did, why he saw his sister in this incestuous way. McEwan did not inform me later on the whys and hows. And the ending. I couldn't decide what i thought. This picture of the three of them, naked on the bed, a family, or a pack of wolves. The calm atmosphere created contrasted with the madness outside.
he allows the reader to challenge themselves on deciding upon reasons for their actions.

Then i read Black Dogs. This made more sense while you read. neverless the way he changes the formate and style on each part made me smile, grin, even giggle to myself everytime. It was like a new book. Lots of little stories by the same man, The same unsure, unsettled, unattached to anything physchologically same man. The book i found a discovery of him more than anyone else. maybe even his way of dealing with depression that lets say he has or June. For churchill says black dogs to be depression.

>>By shimmey   (Saturday, 25 Jan 2003 12:57)



I just finished Atonement and was amazed. The first 150 pages seem very slow, but it's worth the wait for the rest of the book. Calling Ian McEwan's work "enjoyable" is a stretch - he really draws you in, gets you to identify with characters you would never ordinarily identify with, and then rips them apart. He's one of the most powerful authors I've read.

>>By j.sue   (Saturday, 25 Jan 2003 12:57)



what did June really see that made her change?

>>By erga   (Friday, 28 Feb 2003 20:10)



Just wanted to pass along this info: Ian McEwan will be hosting an evening of Selected Shorts at Symphony Space on April 23, 2003. George Bartenieff, Isaiah Sheffer and Victoria Tennant will be reading McEwan's "The Dolls", Tobias Wolff's "Mortals", and H.E. Bates "There's No Future in It." Selected Shorts is a terrific series, if you're in the NYC area, I highly recommend it.

More info on this and other Selected Shorts events at www.symphonyspace.org

>>By Rose   (Friday, 4 Apr 2003 22:32)



i was wondering why he wrote so much detail about the house and its surroundings. Anyone got a clue how it relates to the family?

>>By OSC   (Thursday, 3 Jul 2003 23:45)



in atonement the detailed surroundings in the first part is interesting..anyone know why he did it or what it means?

>>By OSC   (Wednesday, 16 Jul 2003 07:25)



is there a study guide available for students on atonement.
my son is really struggling with this.

>>By moms   (Tuesday, 20 Jul 2004 12:49)



I've never heard of a study guide for it. They usually only have study guides for books that are on school and university reading lists, and as far as I am aware, it's not studied as a stand alone book, maybe as part of a look at McEwan's overall work. It doesn't mean I am right though! Maybe there is a study guide - look on amazon etc. That's probably your best bet!
What part of the book is he struggling with?
:o)

>>By lualabear   (Tuesday, 20 Jul 2004 17:39)



"Enduring Love" from Ian McEwan. I believe throughout life we all search in our own ways for the meaning of love, trying desperately to put a definition on all our emotions. I received so many messages from this book, some good, some bad and some indifferent. Half way through I thought even about putting it down and not finishing it. However finishing it gave me some sort of closure on a subject so complexed it blows most of our minds, although my feelings were neutral to the book. I don’t know if I would recommend reading it to someone. Your perception of the book will truly come from where you are at in life. I felt it was directed more towards a confused lonely type of person searching for the definition of love than someone who sores to heights of bliss when in love. But then again..... maybe my opinion is coming from where I am at in life, explaining why I would be looking through the paradigm so and not from another angle.

>>By YS   (Friday, 12 Nov 2004 15:33)



I really liked Atonement. I read it a few years ago and was wondering which of his I should read next. If anyone could suggest which one I should read that would be great. Thanks.

>>By Chen   (Saturday, 21 Apr 2007 18:20)



Yeah Atonement is awesome.

I recommend The Cement Garden if you don't mind really disturbing books. Or any of his short stories. Saturday and Enduring Love are not so good in my opinion.

>>By Flagg   (Sunday, 22 Apr 2007 14:07)



The discussion board is currently closed.