The Innocent: A Novel
by Ian McEwan

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Book Reviews of The Innocent: A Novel

Book Review: Another McEwan winner - spy story better than love story
Summary: 5 Stars

Built around the love story is an artifice that speaks of espionage and deceit - even between allied partners - that for me proved far more compelling than the story's central concern. Happily, McEwan doesn't miss a beat, seizing the opportunity to pour scorn on the provincial-mindedness of the English while not condoning the crude display of American superiority. But when the plot starts to move away from Leonard's external life to focus on his passionate love affair with Maria, that's when the story loses its thread and begins to seem rather familiar and predictable. Even the ex-husband's reappearance and the outcome of his encounter with the couple on their engagement night plays like film noir melodrama. But wait, just as McEwan never ever disappoints, his writing is never ever less than riveting. From there on, the reader is kept in constant nail-chewing mode pondering poor Leonard's fate as he watches him try desperately to bury the evidence that would incriminate him. For the first time, McEwan delivers a denouement that may be written a little too large. Sure, it made my jaw drop but you can't help thinking afterwards......is this believable ?

Quite apart from it being not his style, McEwan would have outraged our sense of morality had he allowed a "happily-ever-after" ending for Leonard and Maria. No such luck. Before the final curtains falls, we would be treated to a letter in a fast forward that would explain all and move the most hardened heart to tears. It would also win over any dissenter for the novel's occasional lapse into melodrama. "The Innocent" isn't my favourite McEwan novel but it's got all the ingredients of a great novel which combined with his familiar trademarks and flourishes makes it a winner for me. Highly recommended.

Summary of The Innocent: A Novel

Literary Books

• Books > Subjects > Literature & Fiction
• Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers > Psychological Thrillers
• Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue