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On Chesil Beach
 
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On Chesil Beach (Hardcover)

by Ian McEwan (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (213 customer reviews)
RRP: £12.99
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On Chesil Beach + The Book Thief + The Time Traveler's Wife
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Jonathan Cape Ltd; First Edition First Impression edition (23 Mar 2007)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0224081187
  • ISBN-13: 978-0224081184
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13.6 x 2.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (213 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 37,488 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #18 in  Books > Fiction > 20th Century Classics > McEwan, Ian

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Product Description

The Independent

`Another work with a fiercely evocative sense of English period and Landscape'


Tim Adams, Observer

`[Exhibits] McEwan's brilliance as a novelist'
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Customer Reviews

213 Reviews
5 star:
 (64)
4 star:
 (60)
3 star:
 (40)
2 star:
 (24)
1 star:
 (25)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.5 out of 5 stars (213 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
52 of 54 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
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: On Chesil Beach (Paperback)
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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13 of 14 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)   
This review is from: On Chesil Beach (Paperback)
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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18 of 20 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)   
This review is from: On Chesil Beach (Paperback)
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

5.0 out of 5 stars A great novella
On Chesil Beach has been recommended to me on Amazon for a while so I finally decided to give it a go. It's interesting how split opinion is about this novella. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Alison

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the world's best in total command of himself
If you a little bored by now of the the snappy soundbites Ian McKewan enjoys on radio shows, or of seeing his face on yet another Sunday broadsheet, that should not stop you from... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Asmar Chaudhry, Manchester, UK

2.0 out of 5 stars Boring
This book was boring, it took me ages to get through and he could have passed the message across in 10 pages, definately not worth the effort!
Published 1 month ago by Ms. Sofiat B. Bolarinwa

2.0 out of 5 stars A disappointing book from a normally great author
I've always enjoyed McEwan's novels, and was looking forward to On Chesil Beach, and the unusual idea of all the action taking place on a wedding night. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J Philips

4.0 out of 5 stars Very sad ending - like Atonement
To be honest I found most of the book a bit boring and was waiting to come across parts which really grabbed me... this mainly happenned in the last chapter... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ms. A. Chow

3.0 out of 5 stars one night of disaster ends the relationship
This book was very easy to get into and as it is very short, I finished it in a day. I have not read McEwan before and might read his other books because this novel was a nice... Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Mellor

5.0 out of 5 stars Born too soon for the 60s
The quintessence of the early 60s is captured with ease, great tenderness and magnificence, though all the time the reader is aware of some impending doom. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jane Baker

1.0 out of 5 stars I would like to give this barely readable book no stars.
Is this supposed to be great literature? What an awful book! It was so tedious it was barely readable. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Flanders

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Read
I loved this book from the beginning to the end. The language is simply beautiful. The topic is very intimate and almost a tabu in our age of a sexualised society. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Corinna Witt

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read, if a bit depressing
On Chesil Beach

Edward and Florence have just married and are getting ready for their wedding night. Read more
Published 3 months ago by SusieH

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