Atonement
by Ian McEwan
Published by Jonathan Cape, 2001
The
story opens at the Tallis family's country home in England on a
hot sultry day in 1935. Cecilia Tallis, the eldest daughter, has
returned from Cambridge. She and Robbie Turner have been studying
there. Robbie's mother works as cleaning lady for the Tallis family.
Mr. Tallis who works away in London has funded his education. Briony,
aged 13, is the youngest Tallis daughter. She is a budding writer
with a fertile imagination. The mother, Emily, suffers from chronic
migraine and appears only at irregular intervals. Three young cousins
have come to stay following the break up of their parents' marriage.
The twin boys Jackson and Pierrot are 9 years old and their sister
Lola is 15. All are awaiting the arrival of Leon Tallis, the adored
son. He returns home with a friend, Paul Marshall (the chocolate
millionaire).
It
appears that Robbie and Cecilia have "feeling" for one
another. He inadvertently sends an explicit note to Cecilia via
Briony. Briony's curiosity gets the better of her and she reads
the note.
Later
that day , Lola is sexually assaulted in the grounds of the house.
Briony's knowledge of the note and the assault on Lola combined
with Briony's imaginative powers lead quickly to the arrest of Robbie.
There are devastating consequences for those involved. This is the
act for which Briony seeks atonement.
Part
two is set during World War 2 in France where Robbie is involved
in the evacuation at Dunkirk. Meanwhile, Briony trains as a nurse
in a London hospital where she tries to alleviate her guilt. There
are gruesome scenes as casualties pour in from Dunkirk.
In the final pages we meet Briony, now an elderly novelist. And
then comes the twist in the plot.
This
is a story of love and war, guilt and blame. It is well written
with a believable storyline. The book begins at a slow pace. Some
Book Club readers felt that nothing much happened in the early chapters.
Certainly, it was not gripping in the early stages but it was very
atmospheric and there is an ominous sense of foreboding throughout.
Part two is in complete contrast to part one. The war scenes in
France are described in vivid detail and obviously well researched.
It depicts graphically the hospital scenes in London. The twist
in the closing pages needs careful reading (perhaps re-reading).
Our overall assessment is divided. "Atonement" is either
- (a) not worth the money or (b) a life changing book!
A difficult book to review as a group - it will be loved and hated
in equal measure.
Reviewed
by a local Book Club
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