Thoughts on Ian McEwan?

[MrWright]

The Cement Garden was the first McEwan novel I read. I really enjoyed it as well and went out and read most of his others. I read Black Dogs a few years ago and also found it unsettling, although not as much as his earlier work. In Black Dogs I think he moves away from the psychological insularity of Cement Garden and Comfort of Strangers, instead addressing broader, more political themes.

[Stinkin' Fascist]

What genre of books does he write?
I believe i've only heard of him, he seems familiar but I can't place him.

[MrWright]

His work is difficult to categorize into one genre. His novels could be described as literary fiction or contemporary fiction. He is generally regarded as a serious author - his works have won several literary awards (Man Booker prize etc). Some of his earlier work definitely has horror elements to it, while a novel like The Innocent is a reworking of the cold war spy thriller. I've found that no two of his novels are alike. Hope that helps.

[Stinkin' Fascist]

Haha, a bit...

It actually does, I'll have to check him out sometime.

The

definitely has horror elements to it, while a novel like The Innocent is a reworking of the cold war spy thriller.

Really interests me, thanks.

[min]

Ian Mcewan is one of my favorites even though I have only read Atonement and Cement Garden. I found Cement Garden to be extremely disturbing and left me with that "augusten burroughs" feeling, so I'm finding myself hesitant to read Black Dogs, which was going to be the one I was going to read next!

Atonement, both the book and movie, is one of my favorite stories of all time! James Mcavoy (plays Robbie) did such a great job portraying Robbie (especially in the war scenes), even though he isn't a tall bloke - the way he is in the book

Cement Garden is such a case study for children who try to self cope with trauma. I was hoping for more plot though :\ I love Helen Mirren (who was also in a movie about Tolstoy with James Mcavoy called "The Last Station" by the way haha) so I think I will abandon the "Black Dogs" book for now, and move on to "Comfort of Strangers"

[samsmum]

ive read atonement and comfort of strangers and thought they were very good ... but admit to finding chesil beach very boring, bit of a let down to be honest had a couple more of his books but didnt read them ...

[min]

I've wanted to read Comfort of Strangers but haven't started it yet. What did you think about it?

[Jenn+books]

On Chesil Beach was really good. The characters are complex, fully-fleshed out, and memorable. I felt Florence's pain and Edward's need. I wish they could have worked it out, but there was just too much pain between them for it to work. I read the book last year, but thinking about it for this post is bring the story back to me. Really great! McEwan is a talented writer.

[SheldrakeWriter]

I think Chesil Beach is one of the few genuine advertisements for the modern short novel. An entire novel centred around the unfortunate event in question is an inspired piece of plotting.
Saturday was fun, from what I can remember. Perhaps it's due for are-read.