On Chesil Beach
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"McEwan's brilliance as a novelist lies in his ability to isolate discrete moments in life and invest them with incredible significance"--Observer
"McEwan's style is lean and clear... every sentence feels carefully crafted, the words all perfectly in place"--Daily Mail
"A fine book, homing in with devastating precision on a kind of Englishness which McEwan understands better than any other living writer, the Englishness of deceit, evasion, repression and regret. In On Chesil Beach McEwan has combined the intensity of his narrowly focused early work with his more expansive later flowered to devastating effect"--Independent on Sunday
"McEwan's style is lean and clear... every sentence feels carefully crafted, the words all perfectly in place"--Daily Mail
"A fine book, homing in with devastating precision on a kind of Englishness which McEwan understands better than any other living writer, the Englishness of deceit, evasion, repression and regret. In On Chesil Beach McEwan has combined the intensity of his narrowly focused early work with his more expansive later flowered to devastating effect"--Independent on Sunday
Tim Adams, Observer
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Set in 1962, this is the description of the wedding night of two young twenty-somethings, Edward and Florence. Set before the sexual revolution really got going later in the 60s, this young couple have come to their wedding night inexperienced and unsure, both of themselves and of what to expect from each other. Sex before marriage and open discussion of sex, although not unheard of, were still somewhat taboo at the time, and marriage still seen as the main rite of passage into adulthood. Both have arrived at the event with their separate fears, concerns and preconceived ideas of what will take place between them. McEwan masterfully conveys a pressure and tension between the characters and bravely, gradually describes the scene that unfolds in the honeymoon suite of a hotel on the Dorset coast.
McEwan describes a deep love between the two characters, who have met, courted and fallen in love, but shown great restraint in their courtship of each other - Edward from respect for his bride-to-be and Florence from a deep-seated horror of the physicality of a relationship. He intersperses amongst his narrative of the scene in the hotel room, the background for the relationship between the two, building up a tension of misunderstanding - how little these two really understand each other's physical needs; how little they have spoken to each other about sex, and yet how compatible they are in nearly every other way.
This is a brave and sensitive exploration of the subject, still as topical in many cultures today, as it was for Florence and Edward more than 40 years ago. There is a moral to the tale, typical of most novellas. It's not the sort of book to pick up when you're looking for a gripping read, but it is a thought-provoking book to be appreciated for its style, and portrayal of a difficult subject. Sadly, McEwan really lets down the whole piece with a rushed ending. Rushing through the last 40 years of his characters lives is in itself okay - the story needs this to reach a full understanding of what was at stake that night in 1962 - but what is really unforgivable is his mention of the influence of Internet shopping on Edward's businesses in the late 1970s/early 80s. What a faux pas, considering Internet usage itself didn't take off until the late 90s and Internet shopping has only relatively recently had a major impact on off-line retailers. If the book had been better finished it would have had a tentative 5 stars from me, in appreciation of its originality.
McEwan describes a deep love between the two characters, who have met, courted and fallen in love, but shown great restraint in their courtship of each other - Edward from respect for his bride-to-be and Florence from a deep-seated horror of the physicality of a relationship. He intersperses amongst his narrative of the scene in the hotel room, the background for the relationship between the two, building up a tension of misunderstanding - how little these two really understand each other's physical needs; how little they have spoken to each other about sex, and yet how compatible they are in nearly every other way.
This is a brave and sensitive exploration of the subject, still as topical in many cultures today, as it was for Florence and Edward more than 40 years ago. There is a moral to the tale, typical of most novellas. It's not the sort of book to pick up when you're looking for a gripping read, but it is a thought-provoking book to be appreciated for its style, and portrayal of a difficult subject. Sadly, McEwan really lets down the whole piece with a rushed ending. Rushing through the last 40 years of his characters lives is in itself okay - the story needs this to reach a full understanding of what was at stake that night in 1962 - but what is really unforgivable is his mention of the influence of Internet shopping on Edward's businesses in the late 1970s/early 80s. What a faux pas, considering Internet usage itself didn't take off until the late 90s and Internet shopping has only relatively recently had a major impact on off-line retailers. If the book had been better finished it would have had a tentative 5 stars from me, in appreciation of its originality.
73 of 78 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book based on the glowing reviews found here and elsewhere. I do not doubt that it is well written but the story and characters just did not resonate with me- i had sympathy for both at the end but not empathy. I suppose i was disappointed that the book did not for me live up to the hype.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A curiosity- but memorable
Ian McEwan has writtten a 1950's set book in the language and style of a a writer of that era, Elizabeth Taylor, for example. Read more
Published 21 hours ago by Veronica
Poignant
The story of a misunderstanding, and perhaps of misplaced pride ... And the consequences. Powerfully written. This is a gem. Life is impoverished without books like this.
Published 20 days ago by DEG
Opinion on On Chesil Beach
This is one of the best books I have read for years. Ian McEwan is an excellent writer, he pictures every situation in minute detail, which makes the reading fascinating. Read more
Published 1 month ago by D. Thoenes
A good read
The book fascinated me because I had visited Chesil Beach recetly. I enjoy the writings of Ian McEwan and was not dissappointed by this Book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by PiP
Too sad and a few inconsistancies
Too, too sad, does McEwan have a problem with women, it would appear that he thinks all women are flawed. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Grandma D
Chesil Beached
I read the book and felt depressed and wondered why I bothered. Tortured souls swirling around in a sea of self indulgence.
Published 1 month ago by Jacam
Don't do it
This is a very poor book. The narrative pulse dies within a few pages, the characters are dull, the plot even more so. Read more
Published 3 months ago by mikeface
Short and Tedious
Ian McEwan can write detailed descriptions and long winding paragraphs but his literary stylings often get in the way of a good story and you find yourself feeling unmoved by his... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lesley Tingle
good book
Took a few chapters to get into the story however the book is a really good read and had a very different ending to what I expected!
Published 4 months ago by jjl
Brilliant
Having read Atonement I was interested in other books ian McEwan had written. I was not disappointed! I finished it in a single sitting - brilliant writing.
Published 5 months ago by LM Perky
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