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Saturday
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Saturday
Author: Ian McEwan

Book Information
Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Book Type: Hardcover
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780385511803 - ISBN-10: 0385511809
Publication Date: 3/22/2005
Pages: 304


Other Versions of this Book: Audio Cassette, Hardcover, Paperback, Audio CD

Book Description:
From the pen of a master — the #1 bestselling, Booker Prize–winning author of Atonement — comes an astonishing novel that captures the fine balance of happiness and the unforeseen threats that can destroy it. A brilliant, thrilling page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Saturday is a masterful novel set within a single day in February 2003. Henry Perowne is a contented man — a successful neurosurgeon, happily married to a newspaper lawyer, and enjoying good relations with his children. Henry wakes to the comfort of his large home in central London on this, his day off. He is as at ease here as he is in the operating room. Outside the hospital, the world is not so easy or predictable. There is an impending war against Iraq, and a general darkening and gathering pessimism since the New York and Washington attacks two years before.

On this particular Saturday morning, Perowne’s day moves through the ordinary to the extraordinary. After an unusual sighting in the early morning sky, he makes his way to his regular squash game with his anaesthetist, trying to avoid the hundreds of thousands of marchers filling the streets of London, protesting against the war. A minor accident in his car brings him into a confrontation with a small-time thug. To Perowne’s professional eye, something appears to be profoundly wrong with this young man, who in turn believes the surgeon has humiliated him — with savage consequences that will lead Henry Perowne to deploy all his skills to keep his family alive.

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Top Member Book Reviews

A. J. C. (Bibliocrates) wrote on 3/3/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

I didn't hate this book, but I didn't much care for it either. It all seemed very far fetched and unbelievable and the terrorism tie-in didn't quite work in my opinion. I know this book is very popular. Perhaps I missed something.

Susan S. (busprof) wrote on 9/20/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I found this book to be well written. It was at times beautiful, especially as the author describes the relationship between the character and his family. I've never read anything so beautifully written as what I read about his relationship with his mother, for example.

Sharon C. (sharonc9630) wrote on 6/8/2009...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I read to page 61 of this book and just stopped reading. Sorry but it could not hold my interest. It was too detailed and went on and on about nothing in particular. I felt no suspense, no page-turner building ..nothing. I would not recommend this book.

Bryan L. (bryanl) wrote on 4/7/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I can't get through it. I have forced myself to read through 1/2 of it, and it's killing me. Sorry. I'm all for the introverted novel, where the action is in your hero's mind and all, but this one is just killer - I cannot relate to this character in any way at all.

Ann D. (wordyone) wrote on 9/28/2005...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Not my favorite book. It moved too slowly and with far too much detail and introspection for my taste.

Auliya B. (auliya) wrote on 9/12/2005...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Although I am not myself a retired surgeon, this review from a user of Amazon.com encompasses how I felt about the book: "With [his main character,] Perwone[, the author] depicts an accurate portrayl of an upper class surgeon in contempory England. As a retired surgeon, I find his ability to capture the cognitive process of a neurosurgeon amazing for a layman. He brings chills to mind as past decisions are remembered. Slow to develop, but stunning in abruptness of the climax and resolution. A superb novel with balanced political perspectives. Will linger in your mind for some time."


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Karina W. (funreader) wrote on 10/6/2009...


great

Judith C. (booklust) wrote on 4/8/2009...


This book will leave you on the side of your seat as the story unfolds.

Megan P. (4ntrvlr) wrote on 1/7/2009...


This book was a selection by my book group and it had mixed reviews. The more I thought about the book and we discussed the more I liked it. While the events cover a single day, it had reflections on the war on Iraq, the nature of family ties, the interconnectedness of seemingly unconnected people. I think it is a worthwhile read if you take it for what it is - the view of a day with impact beyond its initial appearance.

Joyce D. (joycied) wrote on 3/5/2007...


All the events happen within one day-Saturday.

April R. wrote on 7/25/2006...


Not as good as I thought it would be, but it must have just been me. EVERYONE I talk to loved it!


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