What Chesil Beach is about:
It is July 1962. Florence is a talented musician who dreams of a career on the concert stage and of the perfect life she will create with Edward, an earnest young history student at University College of London, who unexpectedly wooed and won her heart. Newly married that morning, both virgins, Edward and Florence arrive at a hotel on the Dorset coast. At dinner in their rooms they struggle to suppress their worries about the wedding night to come. Edward, eager for rapture, frets over Florence’s response to his advances and nurses a private fear of failure, while Florence’s anxieties run deeper: she is overcome by sheer disgust at the idea of physical contact, but dreads disappointing her husband when they finally lie down together in the honeymoon suite.
Why I wanted to read it:
I picked this book because it was a favorite read of 2011 from JoAnn's (Lakeside Musings) list. Read her review here.
Source: My Public Library
- I loved the author's writing and found myself instantly engaged in the story.
- I felt drawn to Edward and at times Florence, but then she would withdraw her affections from Edward and I would be left wondering why in the world she ever wanted to get married in the first place.
- It seemed as if they were both playing house....and then SEX came barging in to blow their ideal world into pieces.
- I loved, loved, love the ending!!!
This is my first encounter with McEwan's books and I can say that it won't be my last. Right when I was getting comfortable with his style the book came to an end. I thought he captured the human struggle perfectly and what I loved the most was that the characters came to life in my mind.
A huge thanks to JoAnn for introducing me to lovely writing and an author that I more than likely would never have read.
Bookish Thoughts #16
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I've read three Ian McEwan books and loved two but wasn't crazy about the third. I've never read this one though and will give it a try. I completely your comment that the author captures the human condition well. I've felt that with all his books including the one I didn't like.
ReplyDeleteI know this book is pretty slim, but for some reason, I never thought that I'd like it. I even donated my copy unread to the library booksale. Guess I have to get another copy after reading your review....LOL
ReplyDeleteGlad u liked it
You have me intrigued!!!!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this one as well, Staci. It packs an unexpected punch!
ReplyDeleteYour review clinched it, I just requested the audio book from my library!
ReplyDeleteI hated Atonement so much that I have avoided his other books!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful when the ending is so fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI have not read this author yet. I may try with this book.
ReplyDeleteI've been on the fence with this one. But if you liked it, I'll give it a try. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI think I would have at least looked at this one for the cover alone. Love it. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one. I've had it on my reading list forever and I've heard nothing but good things about this author.
ReplyDeleteArgh - what did I miss with this one? I did not enjoy it at all and hated the ending. I was okay with that and then JoAnn loved it and so do you and I usually agree with you both. So why did I hate that ending so much?!
ReplyDeleteI read one book by him and liked it because it was just so darn good! Why I have not read more I do not know
ReplyDeleteNow to read Atonement! I loved that novel.
ReplyDeleteI'm SO glad you like this, Staci! McEwan is a wonderful writer, but his books often take me outside my comfort zone. I've read three of his novels so far and On Chesil Beach is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read McEwan and for some reason I've had it in my head I wouldn't care for his books. Maybe I could take my chances on a short one :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if this was my first McEwan book (read Atonement as well) but I thought it was okay. I read it 5 years ago, so I checked out my post about it and was reminded that I was pleasantly surprised with the writing style and appreciated the ending, so we are in agreement there. :)
ReplyDelete