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Atonement Review..

The monthly meeting was held yesterday to discuss 'Atonement' by Ian McEwan; 4 members showed up and only one could finish the book!

Nick didn't finish the book (or even get past the first chapter) because he found McEwan's writing style overly descriptive and somewhat confusing.

David also didn't finish the book, but watched the film adaptation first, to which he found somewhat off-putting to read the novel.

Ann found McEwan too descriptive and turgid, she has previously read McEwan's other novels and found she struggled with them too.

Wendy did manage to finish the book but found she struggled through it and at some places found it tiring. She found the book slow in places although the concept was good. She also noted that she may have enjoyed the film more if she hadn't of read the book.

I managed to finish the book and watch the film and i have to say i also struggled with both; i found myself tirelessly trying to get past 'Part One' as i was expecting great things to come. 'Part Two' did pick up though, it was the most interesting part out of the whole book. I found McEwan's writing style too formal and over-descriptive and it has put me off reading any of his other works.

I wonder if we all struggled so much with the book because we went straight from reading 'The Fault in our Stars'? Green's writing style is a million miles away from McEwan's and perhaps Green was embedded in us somehow?

Personally, i have certainly identified what type of book i enjoy; it turns out eloquent beautiful, heartbreaking and gut-wrenching novels are right up my street! (I'm not sure what that says about me though!)

For members that couldn't make it yesterday; please can you pop in to the Yeovil College Learning Centre to pick up 'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest' and as always, your thoughts and reviews are always welcome here!

See you all in a month!

- Carey

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