Aquarius
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 1291
Loc: Ilkley, West Yorks
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Has anyone read On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan?
What a beautiful book! I finished it yesterday and can't stop thinking about it! Would highly recommend it to you all, especially as its short so not too much of a challenge for those who don't have much time to read!
judym
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Sealover
member
Reged: 31/08/2006
Posts: 1271
Loc: Devon
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Isn't it great? I'm so glad you enjoyed it, too. I'm Ian McEwan biggest fan and have all his books, although some I still have to read. I have to limit myself in case I run out of his books to read before he writes another one! They all are short, but he packs so much into them. I think my favourites (so far!) are Saturday and Enduring Love. Have you read any others, Judy?
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Aquarius
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 1291
Loc: Ilkley, West Yorks
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Hi Sealover,
It's a wonderful book and I'd love to say more but can't really without spoiling it for other people!
I've also read Saturday, which I think got mixed reviews but I very much enjoyed it.Also read Atonement which I loved and seen the film which was beautifully made.Have you seen it?
judym
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jennifer36
member
Reged: 16/01/2008
Posts: 444
Loc: West Oxfordshire
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I too thought On chesil Beach was a lovely book -but quite sad though. Wonder if the story line was typical of the time it was set in? Didn't enjoy Saturday quite as much but Atonement -well what a super book! And the film too was wonderful- I came out saying it would win lots of awards! I would definitely read and watch again.
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Sealover
member
Reged: 31/08/2006
Posts: 1271
Loc: Devon
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Yes, I loved Atonement, both book and film, although I always prefer books to films.
Yes, On Chesil Beach was sad and I do think it was probably quite typical of its time. Like Judym, wouldn't want to say too much in case it spoils it for others, but if you'd like to discuss it further, do PM me. I'm always more than happy to discuss books!
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LizzyF
member
Reged: 23/01/2008
Posts: 87
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Judym, I keep looking at On Chesil Beach at the book store but struggled with Atonement, in fact it's still on my bedside table with not much left to read. Possibly because the storyline made me mad (cross) and the part when he was in the war was neverending. I will finish it though and may have to re-read.
Is it just me? 
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Aquarius
member
Reged: 19/01/2008
Posts: 1291
Loc: Ilkley, West Yorks
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Hi Scossie,
Don't let Atonement put you off reading this one. It is very short and to the point! Beautifully and sensitively written and very moving.
I can't imagine anyone not enjoying it. Well, no female person anyway!
Buy it and enjoy!
judym
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SweetMaryJ
member
Reged: 04/09/2007
Posts: 22
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Hi havent posted before re books, but couldnt resist I enjoyed Chesil Beach although I find Ian Mc's hard to read for some reason - couldnt get into Atonement and had to give up reading it despite everyone else thinking it is brilliant - also havent' finished Enduring Love despite lovely use of language etc.
Anyway enjoy Chesil Beach everyone
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LizzyF
member
Reged: 23/01/2008
Posts: 87
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Thanks JudyM, I'll buy it and report back!!!! 
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redpoppy
member
Reged: 21/01/2008
Posts: 286
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Just finished it this morning-a v quick read! Beautifully written, as always. He can conjure up so much in one sentence. Have loved all his books too, Sealover..just realised i've been reading your name as seal-lover, not sealover- do you love both?!
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Mell
member
Reged: 10/02/2008
Posts: 1
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Read this last year and was captivated by the way he writes. The way in which he describes how people are feeling is wonderful and I also found this with Atonement. Would not have enjoyed the film Atonement half as much if I hadn't read the book first because you can draw upon his descriptives of just what the characters were thinking which is hard to get across in films. Look forward to reading more of his novels. Any suggestions?
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Sealover
member
Reged: 31/08/2006
Posts: 1271
Loc: Devon
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Hi Redpoppy (great name - I'm a great fan of poppies, especially red ones!). Love the sea and am quite fond of seals - but penguins are my favourites!
Mell, welcome to the forum. I really enjoyed Enduring Love and Saturday. Oh and A Child in Time. All short, all beautifully written.
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avron
member
Reged: 11/10/2006
Posts: 113
Loc: South Coast
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Finished On Chesil Beach early this morning. I had to read the last few pages over and over again, to make sense of it all, as I was reading through tears. A beautiful story, wonderfully told.
Don't always take to his books, but if you want a good but very disturbing read have a go at his "The Comfort of Strangers" I think it was only his second book and probably still honing his craft, but well worth it.
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DeepBlue
member
Reged: 16/02/2008
Posts: 280
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Liz, do start on Chesil Beach it's worth it. Initially I couldn't understand why everyone was raving about it but as I progressed I was hooked, it's beautiful. I loved Saturday too and enjoyed the film Atonement so much that I don't want to read the book. Pat
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LizzyF
member
Reged: 23/01/2008
Posts: 87
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Hi Petroushka (hope I spelt that right),
I have just yesterday bought On Chesil Beach and will read it but first have 5 other books still on the go...will someone please stop me from doing this!
And starting cross stitch projects (4 on the go here and several at home in Oz), and knitting (3 on the go), thank God I didn't bring my sewing machine over here but I have researched them on the net.
I need a hobby! 
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DeepBlue
member
Reged: 16/02/2008
Posts: 280
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Nice to hear from you. Good luck with your various projects and the reading. I've just come back to Edinburgh after 30 years away. I'm in the New Town and trying to start an evening book group. Would you be interested. I work so need to do evenings only. I started one before then had to move. It was fun. By the way my real name is Pat (petroushka is my pet name).
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Sealover
member
Reged: 31/08/2006
Posts: 1271
Loc: Devon
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Petroushka, please read Atonement! If you enjoyed the film, you'll LOVE the book!
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nannyconnie
member
Reged: 05/03/2008
Posts: 455
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Iloved on Chesil Beach so much so that i recommended it to my mother(her era)and also to my daughter(definately not her era)but they both loved it ---for different reasons i suspect.For myself i just thought "there but for the grace of God"and was totally immersed.I have read most of his books liked them all but loved Chesil Beach and also Saturday.
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Moco
member
Reged: 28/03/2007
Posts: 630
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I have just finished and didn't like it all, sorry!!!
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Maureen
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Sealover
member
Reged: 31/08/2006
Posts: 1271
Loc: Devon
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Never mind, Moco, we all have different tastes in books. Who is your favourite author?
For those of you who like Ian McEwan, I wonder if you have read The Innocent? I've finished it recently and did enjoy it, but it is VERY gory! Don't try it if you are the least bit squeamish!
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