This is a decidedly slim volume and it's typical of McEwan's faultlessly crafted work, not a spare word or muddled thought. It tells the brief story of a young couple on their wedding night, both pathetically ignorant - typical of the 1950s when the story happens - and scared of what is expected of them. I won't give away the ending, but 'poignant' is an unavoidable adjective.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 50 March 2009 ) |
