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On Chesil Beach
 
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On Chesil Beach (Paperback)

by Ian McEwan (Author)
3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
Price: £4.65 & eligible for Free UK delivery on orders over £5 with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Product details

  • Paperback: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage (3 Jan 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0099512793
  • ISBN-13: 978-0099512790
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 1.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,303 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #3 in  Books > Fiction > 20th Century Classics > McEwan, Ian
    #43 in  Books > Fiction > By Period > 20th Century

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Product Description

Metro
'this graceful novella offered a series of perfectly realised moments'

Guardian
'In its precision, scope and force, this is an astounding novel, more tender than anything McEwan has hitherto produced'


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On Chesil Beach
89% buy the item featured on this page:
On Chesil Beach 3.2 out of 5 stars (98)
£4.65
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Customer Reviews

98 Reviews
5 star:
 (17)
4 star:
 (29)
3 star:
 (26)
2 star:
 (11)
1 star:
 (15)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.2 out of 5 stars (98 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Sensitive and sad, 17 Mar 2008
By Suzie (Scotland, UK) - See all my reviews
This short book is a sensitive exploration of the consequences of thoughts not spoken and actions that are misunderstood. The fears and uncertainties at the centre of the novella might seem incomprehensible to younger readers, although deep down they may be as prevalent today as they were in the '50s and '60s.

As with all good short stories, the book is a snapshot of a few hours in the lives of its main characters, Florence and Edward. interspersed with flashbacks into their pasts, and how they met and fell in love. The writer alternates between viewpoints, so that the reader is privy to the build-up of misinterpretations that leads inexorably to the denouement. Such is Ian McEwan's skill as a writer that, despite so short an acquaintance with the young lovers, I really felt for them, and longed for something to release them from their tongue-tied misery and guide them to a happier conclusion.

McEwan is a master of the English language. His prose flows through the feelings and uncertainties of his characters, capturing every nuance of sensitivity. My only criticism is the last chapter. The book would perhaps have been stronger if the ending had been left in the air. The frenetic rush through another forty years left a feeling of breathlessness, although it did serve to underline the futility and waste that was all too avoidable - the hints and opportunities were there, but Florence and Edward were too young and naïve to realise their importance or the implications of ignoring them.

What remains after finishing the book is a sense of sadness and loss, but this is no deterrent to reading it. I loved it. Buy it and see what you think. Just don't expect a punchy story. Instead be prepared for a feast of sensitivities and emotions.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars LOVED THIS BOOK AND IT'S MESSAGE, 25 Mar 2008
By Mrs. M. T. Hayward "Marie" (Romania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I loved this book and didn't expect any more or any less from it. I took it for what it was, which is the account of one tragic day. Beautifully written, this book should be given to all those people who on the verge of a break-up, just to make them think ... is this what I really want? It teaches couples to share your feelings with each other or else risk losing something so important... I think that's the really crucial message from this book. How many broken hearts could be avoided if we did that?? Am I being soft....?? That's Mr McEwan for you!

On one final note, I praise the author on his handling of the female point of view. Many times I have read a book and known it was written by a man... not in this case, beautifully done!
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Tragic, doomed, 13 Feb 2008
By M. G. Wilson (Eastbourne) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
McEwan handles this tragic, doomed love affair beautifully: the awkwardness; the rapture; the misunderstanding; the fumbling; the devotion. Yet the final coda, telescoping 'the rest of their life' into seven pages, seems almost to be notes for a longer work that the author decided not to complete.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars muzak for readers
Ian McEwan, with his formidable reputation, and this book with it's award (awards? I can't remember) are attractive adverts for this book. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Talc Demon

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly controlled tragi-comedy
I loved McEwan's early work then felt he'd lost his way a little: but I fairly recently read Atonement and loved it and so have come back to this. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Roman Clodia

1.0 out of 5 stars Uptight in the Home Counties more like
I live near Chesil Beach and have spent many happy hours on it so having been asked by my wife to read the book I agreed, although I do not usually read novels. Read more
Published 29 days ago by P. Watson

2.0 out of 5 stars Dull - a disappointing read

I loved Atonement, so I was looking forward to this. I'm glad it was a short book, read over two nights. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. R. M. Paterson

3.0 out of 5 stars Satire. . . .?
Having just read 'On Cheshil Beach' by Ian McEwan, I am asking myself whether or not I am putting down a very subtle, funny and ironic satire? Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. Brighton

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching and poignant
Ian McEwan's novella opens in July 1962, and young couple Edward and Florence have recently married. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Binro The Heretic

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother
I bought this as I was impressed with all the great reviews it had received and I was expecting a riveting read, however I did not get this. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Campbell79

3.0 out of 5 stars Elegant evocation of wasted opportunity and loss
A young couple on their wedding night in 1962. Both viirgins. She is terrified of intimate physical contact and he suffers from 'coming too soon'. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Greshon

2.0 out of 5 stars Without tenderness or humour
Sorry but this is the third time I've tried to review this book and for some reason it hasn't posted and I'm fed up of writing about the miserable characters and their lack of... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Love Books

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece
This novel shows just how amazing Ian Mcewan really is. He is such a talented writer and this work shows that off. Read more
Published 3 months ago by D.M.P

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