Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Atonement

Atonement
Atonement
Author: Ian McEwan
On the hottest day of the summer of 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis sees her older sister Cecilia strip off her clothes and plunge into the fountain in the garden of their country house. Watching Cecilia is their housekeeper's son Robbie Turner, a childhood friend who, along with Briony's sister, has recently graduated from Cambridge. — By ...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780385503952
ISBN-10: 0385503954
Publication Date: 3/12/2002
Pages: 351
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 109

3.6 stars, based on 109 ratings
Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

iluvlibros avatar reviewed Atonement on + 73 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 23
I tried to read this book a few years ago, but I couldn't get into it. I must say, I'm glad I tried again. This time around, I couldn't put the book down. It's a beautifully written story, and the author perfectly captures the emotions of the characters and the moods of the situations. I can easily see why this was on Time magazine's list of 100 all-time novels. It was one of the best books I have read in a while. It's a captivating story and remarkably well-written.
reviewed Atonement on
Helpful Score: 16
This is one of the best books that I have ever read.
Mr. McEwan's writing is incredible. His descriptions of places and characters put the reader right in the scene. The author squeezes out of us a whole range of emotions while reading this book. We go from love to hate to fear to hope and despair.
I can't wait to read his others.
ScoutDarcy avatar reviewed Atonement on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
I've just finished, and all I can say is... wow. Just wow. I stepped into this book (and the movie) knowing exactly what the ending was, but that didn't prepare me at all. Both movie and book made me cry about five times apiece. (Even on the second time I saw the movie.) You will genuinely feel for these characters-- you will hate Briony, you will empathize with Cecilia, but most of all, you will feel horrible for Robbie. Oh how I loved and pitied him! I credit Ian McEwan for giving a startlingly realistic depiction of the war and being able to evoke such human emotion. Read this book, or at the very least, see the movie. They're both excellent.
reviewed Atonement on
Helpful Score: 13
It is a quiet summer day in 1935 England. This otherwise peaceful day culminates in a single tragic event that entirely shapes the second part of the story. McEwan uses first half of book to describe this days happenings from many points of view. The replay of simple domestic activities through the eyes of one person after another slows the story at first. Story picks up intensity towards the end of part I.

The story is action filled WWII fiction in part II. The reason McEwan retells story from so many different points of view in part I becomes clear in last 50 pages. Recommended mostly for those who enjoy character driven fiction or European period writing.

Well written story, a Golden Globe winning film in 2007.
reviewed Atonement on + 99 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
I only wish I could call this book an easy read. To me, Atonement was a struggle, only because I knew such an emotional book could only end in heartbreak. I found Atonement hauntingly beautiful, and though I finished it three or four days ago, I find myself constantly thinking about the questions the book raises. My first Ian Mcewan, but definitely not my last. I am also planning on reading No Time For Romance, by Lucilla Andrews, whom Mcewan borrowed from to bring Atonement together.
Read All 171 Book Reviews of "Atonement"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed Atonement on
I don't usually enjoy books unless they are set in the modern day, however, this book gave me the detail to imagine the characters and the home they lived in. Admittedly, the middle was a bit slow, but the beginning captured me, and the last third of the book I couldn't put down.
reviewed Atonement on + 10 more book reviews
I never watched the movie, but I cannot imagine it being as good as the book. It is beautifully written with powerful imagery. The middle was a little slow at times, but it was overall a wonderful read!
reviewed Atonement on
This is an incredibly well-crafted story you won't soon forget.
reviewed Atonement on + 6 more book reviews
This book hurt my heart and I'm not sure I will watch the movie. It's fair to say the story haunted me. It stayed with me for a long time after I finished it and that's the mark of a truly good book IMO. Sad and lovely.
emmaleth avatar reviewed Atonement on + 30 more book reviews
Could not get into this one no matter how much I tried.
reviewed Atonement on
This is a great book set in the 1940s and very close to the movie. It is a definite tear jerker and sad twists to the story.
jodis419 avatar reviewed Atonement on + 3 more book reviews
Well written. Extremely close to the movie
reviewed Atonement on + 10 more book reviews
Not one of my favorites. Thought it would be just be wonderful based on reviews and awards, but, yeah, in my opinion, not the case. I guess I didn't like it because it was much more character driven than plot driven. The beginning is very slow, goes into detail about the character's thought processes.......I did read it through, but all in all, dull and depressing.
reviewed Atonement on + 2 more book reviews
While I loved the movie, the book is better because the characters are truely brought to life.

The author has a knack for discribing the details around the characters. I will admit, at times, can slow the story down, but you get a true sence of what is going on.

The young girl's imagaination is quite vivid. You understand more clearly through the book, then the movie, why the young girl did what she did.

Read it and you will understand what I mean.
reviewed Atonement on + 3 more book reviews
I appreciate that the critics loved this book...BUT I didn't. I can only recall a handful of books that I have not finished once I started. I just couldn't stay with it. I found it choppy, and the story line didn't flow for me. I hope the next person appreciates it more than I.
Hophead avatar reviewed Atonement on + 285 more book reviews
Well-written and engaging, this book really takes the reader for a ride. Contrary to some reviewers, I had no problem getting into the story from the very beginning. This is a rewarding story and is highly recommended.
reviewed Atonement on
I actually saw this movie before I read the book (which is the opposite of what usually happens).

I thought the prose of the writer was lovely - absolutely beautiful. However, I did think that Part One of the book was very slow and tedious reading. I felt that if I had not seen the movie, I might not have gotten through it. It's rambling and seemingly pointless at times.

Once past Part One, it moves at a much more lively pace. I liked this book (although it is quite sad!) Would definitely recommend, just keep in mind you'll be trudging through the first bit.
steelplace632 avatar reviewed Atonement on + 60 more book reviews
This is depressing. It was hard to get through. I understand McEwan's thought process but it did not hold my interest. I found myself hating it in the end. It was not what I expected. Very sad emotional story.
reviewed Atonement on + 35 more book reviews
Excellent, beautiful book - takes a determined reader to stick to it long enough to get into the plot.
reviewed Atonement on + 4 more book reviews
The story takes a little while to get going, but is really a very good read.
claudinemj avatar reviewed Atonement on + 4 more book reviews
A little wordier than I usually like; but well done. It took a hundred pages or so to "get into" it, but it was worth it in the end.
marys44 avatar reviewed Atonement on + 7 more book reviews
This is a moving story. I didn't see the recent movie but I can't imagine that they could do this one justice. It is so full of inner thoughts and feelings, something the movies aren't too good at conveying. I highly recommend this one.
reviewed Atonement on + 59 more book reviews
A family story. A love story. A war story. All presented in rich descriptions of thoughts and deeds.
jazzysmom avatar reviewed Atonement on + 907 more book reviews
I try never to see the movie before reading the book, but in this case i did see the movie first. I loved the movie, it had me in tears. It also made me pick up the book. Because i had watched the movie first i think i enjoyed the book so much. I already had an understanding of the what, when and whys of the story. This is a story that you must follow carefully and will not know just what has happened until the end if you only read the book, but as with the movie....once again i was in tears. I'm sappy for a read like this...i love them. Novel is a bit deep, i love the era and the layers building up to the climax, when you are finished, on the last page, you just go...Wow, never saw that coming. Awsome read.
feguro avatar reviewed Atonement on + 7 more book reviews
Wonderful read - took me a little while to get into it, but I was glad I stuck with it through the first hundred pages or so.

Book Wiki

Important Events

Genres: