A short work, very concise but very enjoyable. The only other work from McEwan I've read is Atonement but I loved his style and ability. On Chesil Beach is no exception. Wonderfully written with great prose. The story has moments of great hilarity as well as a great human drama. The wedding night is a defining moment for the couple and I like how McEwan jumps forward in time to show how their lives were altered from that one night. Great stuff.

This novel felt very short and unresolved, and left me with a frustrating taste in my mouth. It did, however, hit the nail squarely on the head when it came to delivering its message: sometimes, the consequences of doing nothing at all are worse than those of doing the wrong thing. Even though this novel wasn't entirely satisfying for me, some of his other works (such as Atonement) are definitely worth a read.

I currently count Ian McEwan among my favourite novelists so I was excited to read his latest work, On Chesil Beach. Above all, this book highlights McEwan's genius at manipulating language; the sentences flow seamlessly and vividly capture the points of view of both protagonists. The short novel does lack in plot development but it's not meant to be an action-packed book. McEwan describes a couple on their wedding night. The pair were born at WWII's conclusion and grew up during the decline of the British Empire. Florence and Edward come from different backgrounds but both are trying to depart from the norms they experienced as children. Both know what they think they want from life, but neither can truly understand the other's aims. This lack of understanding becomes clear as each character muses on the consummation of marriage. Florence has never had a person to share intimacies with; she feels wholly alone but disgusted at the thought of what is to come. Edward, however, has come to the conclusion that marriage leads automatically to connubial bliss. I enjoyed this book a lot; it emphasizes the need for open communication but also cherishes solitary pursuits and dreams. I wouldn't recommend the novel as a first exposure to McEwan but if you're already a fan, it won't disappoint. Besides, how bad can 166 pages be?

As sensitive novel about a man and woman who try to make a go of love, but due to immaturity and inexperience with a solid dose of pride and inflexibility manage to destroy the very relationship they value so much.

A haunting story showing McEwan's appreciation for F. Scott Fitzgerald.

This is the first book I've read by Ian McEwan. I've heard "he's a difficult author to read," or "it takes awhile to get into his books" but I was hooked right away. The main characters, Florence and Edward, go through an awkward courtship and marriage right on the cusp of the 60's revolution. Sad to see how things could have been different for them in another time and place.

Ian McEwan never fails to write beautifully and hauntingly, whatever the subject matter. That gift is particularly, perhaps perversely, stunning when he writes about horrifying things. However, he writes here about a type of horror, as experienced by one of the main protagonists, that is bewildering and unbelievable in its intensity. In turn, the outcomes and consequences of that horrified reaction do not seem believable, either. For such a slim set piece, I found this a tedious read.

Ostensibly a story about profound misunderstanding between a honeymooning couple, this book is in some ways a study of the loneliness that accompanied the emerging culture of youth in the mid-century UK.