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On Chesil Beach
On Chesil Beach
Author: Ian McEwan
A novel of remarkable depth and poignancy from one of the most acclaimed writers of our time. — 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...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780385522403
ISBN-10: 0385522401
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 208
Rating:
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 133

3.2 stars, based on 133 ratings
Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

jbeen21 avatar reviewed On Chesil Beach on
Helpful Score: 9
I just finished On Chesil Beach and it quickly moved into my top two books by Ian McEwan, the other being Atonement. McEwan efficiently provides the back stories of his two young protagonists and movingly depicts a wedding night decision that changes the course of their lives. A quick read full of memorable scenes of shared love, ambition and sexual insecurities, McEwan portrays a relationship that symbolizes the cultural divide of the 1960's, and captures the nostalgia and regret that often haunt us in our own lives.
reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
This was my first time I read anything by Ian McEwan, but I am extremely impressed. At times the book can be hard to follow, it is creatively written. The characters are shown with all of their own flaws. At the end, I sat thinking about how one moment can change your whole life. Great book.
reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Ian McEwan is a writer of tremendous talent, and this book is further evidence. Highly recommended.
esjro avatar reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 938 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Like all his books, this is a carefully and eloquently written novel. The pace moves briskly, perhaps because of its length. McEwan expertly describes the insecurities of the two main characters. All of his books (including this one) are wonderful.
bellasgranny avatar reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 468 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I listened to this one, read by the author, on Audio CD. It is a slim novel, the story of two virgins and a marriage destined for failure. Set in the early 1960's, before the era of "free love", it is heartbreakingly sad that the two people (who really loved each other) could not even talk about their sexual compatibility. Highly recommend.
Read All 37 Book Reviews of "On Chesil Beach"

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eadieburke avatar reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 1635 more book reviews
1962 Florence and Edward celebrate their wedding in a hotel on the Dorset coast. The expectation of their marital duties weighs over them. This is story of lives transformed by a gesture not made or a word spoken. A heartbreaking story which could have turned around if Edward would have showed a bit of love and patience instead of giving up on her. A bit disappointing! I did love the ending however!
reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 18 more book reviews
While I would not say this book is for everyone, I did enjoy it. Some people complain that the situation the newlyweds find themselves in is unbelievable. I don't think given the time setting it is implausible. Also I took it in a more encompassing direction- in today's society how many time do we walk away from someone/ something because of a miscommunication and our pride being hurt? Who doesn't have at least some regrets and think that if you had handled a situation differently that a relationship would have been saved or at least still had some lines of contact still open? This is what I got from On Chesil Beach.
reviewed On Chesil Beach on
Good read
reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 7 more book reviews
Ian McEwan is one of my favourite authors; he displays his usual prolific and page turning ways in On Chesil Beach. Highly recommended!
evelyn0309 avatar reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 84 more book reviews
This little book left me introspective and sad. Told in a unique McEwan style, the book emphasizes that momentary decisions have lifelong consequences (similar in someways to Atonement). It's also a period piece of a time when sexuality and family secrets were kept tightly under wraps.
reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 6 more book reviews
Beautifuly written, reminds me of Maughm.
mbd avatar reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 5 more book reviews
On Chesil Beach is a novella about a young couple's views and (mis)understandings of marriage. McEwan's writing is superb, and he doesn't disappoint here.
Cheryl-Sam avatar reviewed On Chesil Beach on + 39 more book reviews
I found this book so frustrating, I can't believe I even finished it. Basically the whole book is about two people who can't open their mouth and communicate. It is just so ridiculous to me and implausible how two adults who are supposedly in love enough to get married would be unable to talk about how they are feeling.

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