On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
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Book Reviews of On Chesil Beach
Book Review: hilarious and beautiful depiction of human emotions
Summary: 4 Stars
this was my first shot at a McEwan book and though it wasn't what i was expecting, i really did enjoy it. i honestly don't know what i was expecting, but this wasn't it! but, the crispness of the writing style and his wry and dry sense of humor had me hooked early and i'll definitely be giving his other books a try.
set in the early 1960's on the wedding night of Edward and Florence, we follow the split narration of the newlyweds in their growing anxiety regarding the consummation of their wedding. Edward has the expected anticipation of his first performance and Florence is absolutely horrified with the idea, yet willing to try to be the dutiful wife that she knows she must be. at times hilarious and other times aching with the sadness that can only come when you really don't know your partner all that well, this is a rather perverse attempt at sexual education that i'm glad i read. layered throughout, is also the mirroring of postwar Britain, in all its glory.
the characters were not likable and i don't think that was ever the intention. they are both entirely self absorbed and by getting to hear their inner monologue, we can see how very little they know about themselves and each other. but, really, isn't this still the case in very young couples? the often graphic descriptions of the impending sexual encounter may be too much for some readers, either disgusting or crude, but i thought it served to provide enough shock factor and entertainment to be highly readable. but, i can see how some might disagree...
"All she had needed was the certainty of his love, and his reassurance that there was no hurry when a lifetime lay ahead of them."
the writing style was everything i could have hoped for and more. McEwan has a way of making sentences and phrases flow so effortlessly and it's beautiful to read (or listen to, as was my case). i can definitely see how, given a book of more depth, that his writing could be absolutely magnetic and i can't wait to pick up his other books. that being said, i was absolutely amazed at the depth and complexity of this tiny little book and was wholly impressed with McEwan's ability to capture the essence of time and space in such a small space of his own.
"But it was too interesting, too new, too flattering, too deeply comforting to resist, it was a liberation to be in love and say so."
the audio was wonderful! the production was excellent and hearing the reading in McEwan's own voice really added to the book for me. had i read the book, it would have been in my American voice (obviously) and hearing it in his lovely British accent really added to that essence of time and space that i mentioned earlier. i would definitely recommend this to anyone interested.
Book Review: A beautifully written sad little story
Summary: 4 Stars
Once again McEwan demonstrates his considerable literary talent in this short novel. McEwan is a master at developing an armature or structure in his novels on which he fully explores the emotions and aspirations of his characters but also allows for a building of suspense. In this novel he does this by starting at the honeymoon of a young couple but then constructing their pasts and motivations step by step to take us back to the scene of their first night together on their honeymoon. The two primary characters are described so well as to making the reader feel they know them both, but the reader is also given knowledge of their pasts and their state of mind that the couple has not share with each other. Edward is from modest means who is very bright and has earned an academic degree whereas Florence is from a more prominent family with social and economic connections. This is especially the case for Florence for she holds back a secret from Edward throughout their courtship that could have disastrous results. The marital partnership requires more candor and knowing of the other party than Florence is able to muster. The twist to this novel is that McEwan is able to keep the reader on the knife edge between break-through reconciliation and frustrated exasperation in the case of this young couple.
This young couple professes to love one another but McEwan explores how that love may in fact be projections of the self, of imagination, of loving an image or dream of another person but not the full person. Sexual intercourse is a prerequisite for full knowledge and McEwan explores how sexual knowledge can break through the dreamy projections one may have built in their mind of their loved one. By saving sexual intercourse until after a long courtship, this couple has put too many chips onto one roll of the dice.
As is the case with all McEwan's novels, it is beautifully written. When I read his work it is almost feels effortless to me, as if I am reading my own thoughts. He does this by careful words crafting where in the final piece, not a single word is out of place or ill chosen. That he combines this skill with masterful character development and sequencing of plot makes him one of the most outstanding living writers.
Book Review: The Awkward Bedroom Scene.
Summary: 4 Stars
Ian McEwan has the ability to create a world where time doesn't move too fast or too slow. ON CHESIL BEACH, takes a route not a lot of authors can manage and covers a few hours (for the most part) in the lives of Florence and Edward, newlyweds fresh from their wedding, enjoying dinner and their first night together. For the short time we actually spend with them, Florence and Edward are exceptionally well-developed characters.
Florence grapples with tricky intimacy and her dilemma between discomfort and what is expected of her, as a wife.
Edward struggles to decipher his new wife's emotions while trying to manage his growing irritation with her discomfort.
ON CHESIL BEACH is a true look at intimacy, and how a few short hours can change lives forever. McEwan navigates through uncomfortable scenes with ease, and creates a book that is a pleasure to read.
It's very odd that an author takes such an interesting approach to the marriage bed, where the consummation of a relationship is not sexy or romantic, but honestly awkward and clumsy. You'll definitely see McEwan's sympathy for Florence rise above any he has for Edward, but I felt mine going the same way as well.
However, he's not for everyone. The pace is relatively slow (the entire book covers only a few hours), and many people prone to reading fast-paced fiction will easily find themselves bored and toss the book aside. I really encourage you not to give up though! This book sat on my shelf for a year until I finally was able to pick it up and give it the time it deserved.
Ultimately, you'll find yourself sympathizing with both characters, investing in their story, and enjoying every moment of this ridiculously wonderful book. Just give it time.
Book Review: Quick but powerful read
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the story of a moment in time, a few hours really, and its consequences. The story takes place on the wedding night of a young couple, Florence and Edward. They are staying at a small hotel on Chesil Beach, and when the time comes to consummate the marriage, well, let's just say there is a misunderstanding. This is prudish, pre-sexual-revolution Britain, the incident is blown out of proportion, and the fears and frustrations of Edward and Florence, the same fears and frustrations of any young couple just married, manifest themselves in a pointless and stubborn argument.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Most of it, the part that leads up to and surrounds the incident itself, I found quite boring. McEwan's writing is solid, but the Victorian sensibility of it all just isn't my thing. But the last part of the book, when Edward is looking back on the incident many years later and thinking about how that one small moment had such a large impact on his life--that part's really moving and relatable and masterfully executed. And it made the rest of the book worth it.
On Chesil Beach is the first McEwan I've read, but from what I've heard, it deals with a favorite topic of his--how small events, even the ones that don't feel like events at the time, can change everything. It's little more than a short story, really, which is the perfect length for it. If the upfront required much more investment, I'm not sure I would recommend this book. But as it is, I found it to be a quick and powerful read.
Book Review: Bittersweet, heavy on the bitter
Summary: 4 Stars
On Chesil Beach is such an intimate look at one couple, married during the early 60s. I was continually impressed by McEwan's insights and how perfectly developed these two characters were. Florence and Edward are thrilled to begin their married life together, to be no longer seen as young and incomplete members of society. Florence, however, has a paralyzing anxiety about physical contact with her husband, something she has kept from him, dreading the moment that would consummate their marriage.
I loved the combined narratives in this novel. We are given glimpses into not only the wedding night, but also their courtship and their futures. The narration shifts focus from Florence to Edward so we are given both sides to the story. I really thought that this book was heartbreaking and honest, beautiful and quiet.
If I had one complaint, it is that the last chapter of the novel that explores life after that wedding night is almost exclusively about Edward. When the rest of the book had been so balanced, I was disappointed with the lack of information about Florence we received. Overall, I'm impressed with McEwan's attention to detail, especially the sensitivity he employed when portraying Florence. I'm so glad I finally picked this one up. It might be one of my favorite reads of 2010 and one that I see myself rereading again soon.