Happy birthday Ian McEwan: Revisiting his top novels
Well-known English novelist Ian McEwan turns 75 today! One of the best and most divisive authors today is McEwan. His early works were infamous for their sinister themes and gothic content. They were made more controversial by the unsettling narrative structures. Despite that, readers were and still are frequently drawn into the characters' voyeuristic interactions. Let's look at five of his most noteworthy books.
'Atonement'
This metafictional tale of love, war, and regret is often regarded as McEwan's finest. The book shows Briony Tallis, a thirteen-year-old, observing her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner, a servant's son, flirting. However, Briony's naive understanding of adult motivations and her vivid imagination result in a crime that has an impact on everyone's lives. The novel was also adapted into the movie Atonement.
'Saturday'
The neurosurgeon Henry Perowne, urbane, affluent, and madly in love with his family has plans to play a game of squash, go see his ailing mother, and prepare dinner for his family. Perowne, however, is forced to abandon his objectives and muster a bigger strength to protect the life that is dear to him after a small traffic accident results in an uncomfortable confrontation.
'On Chesil Beach'
This is a tale of how a gesture or a word may alter the path of a person's entire life. Florence and Edward are celebrating their wedding in a hotel. However, as they eat, the weight of their marital responsibilities grows. AS neither of them realizes it, the choices they make this evening will affect them for the rest of their lives.
'Amsterdam'
This book has been acclaimed as one of McEwan's greatest and won him the Booker Prize in 1998. The novel focuses on Molly Lane and the incidents following her funeral. Following the funeral, Lane's various ex-lovers, many of whom have become well-known figures in London society find themselves in a heated argument, the outcome of which turns deadly.
'Machines Like Me'
A different 1980s London is the setting for Machines Like Me. Charlie falls in love with Miranda, a talented student who hides a dreadful secret. When Charlie becomes wealthy, he purchases Adam, a synthetic human, and collaborates on the creation of Adam's personality with Miranda. The story further develops into a love triangle. Check out more such book recommendations.
