Classics Without All the Class discussion

How's everybody doing with "Atonement?"
It's been pretty quiet, so I'm guessing that either very few people are done, or just no one has been up to discussing it yet.

With the various ways to consume the particular literature that we tend to have as our book, I am always nosy about how people are accomplishing the reading. Are you hitting up the library, have you picked up a second hand or maybe even a fresh copy? Ebook? Any good audio versions? Are you sick of seeing question marks yet?

To be honest, I don't plan on touching any version of it this month....

Wait, don't flame me yet, I just read this in the last two days of 2013. What can I say, I like to be four month's ahead of schedule. A few months is way to soon to be re-reading most books for me, as it is too fresh, so I'm just going to use what's left in the brain for discussions this month.

The reviews for the book are interesting, any my curiosity was piqued. Combining that with the fact that the e-book was just laying around on my book flash drive, waiting for me, and at the time it was on two of my lists it had to be done. Hitting two birds with one book is hard to beat, no?
Anyway, enough of my ramble in a basic update thread. Let me know how you're doing. It's a pity that they've invented a breathalyzer for a car, but I don't have a program telling me I'm too hyper to type.

I have so much to read this month, so I'm not sure if I have time. I really like movie and would be interesting reread this though.

I am listening to the library's copy of the audiobook - Recorded Books, narrated by Jill Tanner, and except for the occasional scratched disc issues, it has been a great experience. I haven't listened to an audiobook in many, many years but will definitely be listening to more. I am loving the book. Listening to it is a whole different experience than reading it. I saw the movie years ago but the movie obviously can't capture the detail that the book includes. If I were reading the book, I would be scanning and skipping much of the horrendous graphic detail that I more or less have to listen to or drive off the road trying to skip! Having seen the movie I never would have read the book so I am happy that it was chosen for this month's selection. I am currently on disc 10 of 12. It is a heartbreaking story. Jill Tanner is a fabulous narrator - I will be looking for more recordings of hers.

I read the book already and saw the movie. It was a very sad story.

Karen wrote: "I am listening to the library's copy of the audiobook - Recorded Books, narrated by Jill Tanner, and except for the occasional scratched disc issues, it has been a great experience. I haven't list..." Libraries having audiobooks is something I always forget about. It's great to hear that it worked out for you.

Glad I am not alone in already reading it, Reija, Pam. The book had a very popular phase, because of the movie, but I totally forgot.

I'm rereading Brothers Karamazov. So I may skip this month. But I'm excited for next month's book. I appreciate this group a bunch. It's fun!

I have this on my bookshelf and never got through the movie. I think I'm afraid to read it knowing how sad it is, but I do want to read it.

Colleen wrote: "I have this on my bookshelf and never got through the movie. I think I'm afraid to read it knowing how sad it is, but I do want to read it."

If it is any consolation, I didn't find it overwhelmingly sad. Just don't read it in public if you know it is going to be sad, that's the number one rule. There are very few things worse than randomly breaking down into tears while reading in public to make people start getting twitchy on the other side of the room.

John wrote: "I'm rereading Brothers Karamazov. So I may skip this month. But I'm excited for next month's book. I appreciate this group a bunch. It's fun!"

Gah. Every time someone mentions reading a book on my to-read list I feel like there's a competition I need to throw myself at. You are now another enemy to be conquered.

I picked this book up at the library last night after seeing that the group was reading it this month. I am trying very hard to incorporate more classics into my reading list and have made it a goal to become more involved with discussions! (I generally have been reading new-ish best sellers and new memoirs as of late.) I also have a lot to read this month because I am always super ambitious when I go to the library and bite off way more than I can chew! So, we shall see what happens.

Kaytlin wrote: "I picked this book up at the library last night after seeing that the group was reading it this month. I am trying very hard to incorporate more classics into my reading list and have made it a go..."
It's hard to narrow it down when there are so many good options. Good luck.

Finished listening to the book last night. Now I will probably get a copy out of the library so I can review parts of it for this discussion. I loved the book. I found both the plot and the characters believable and the writing is lyrical. How heartbreaking that the misunderstood events of one day can so completely change the trajectories of so many lives. I'm anxious to see what others think. I listened to the Recorded Books version of the audiobook, narrated by Jill Tanner. Her British accent added the perfect touch to her narration.

I read this a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure what it is about Ian McEwan, but I can never bring myself to care about any of his characters - good or bad.

Melanti wrote: "I read this a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure what it is about Ian McEwan, but I can never bring myself to care about any of his characters - good or bad."
That's exactly it.
I had the same sentiment, but having only read the one book I wasn't sure if I was influenced by other factors.

Karen wrote: "Finished listening to the book last night. Now I will probably get a copy out of the library so I can review parts of it for this discussion. I loved the book. I found both the plot and the char..."

Apparently she's the most popular reader. 100% of goodreads readers approved.

Melanti wrote: "I read this a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure what it is about Ian McEwan, but I can never bring myself to care about any of his characters - good or bad."

Maybe because I listened to it I got more engrossed in it? They weren't meant to be likable characters, by and large. Robby seemed a good egg but Cecilia was very brittle and Briony got progressively less likable as the book went on. The parents both had their own issues; migraines and adultery. Leon was a drinker and a lout and Paul Marshall was scum from the get-go, but I thought they all made for interesting characters. Maybe it is a more plot driven book because I found the plot to be very intriguing.

Karen wrote: " Maybe it is a more plot driven book because I found the plot to be very intriguing..."

Possibly. This is the 4th McEwan book I've read and I've had the same issue with all of them. I don't have to like characters - I've read fantastic books where I despised every single person in it. But complete and utter apathy just doesn't work for me.

Read the book back in the day when the movie came out.... look forward to reading it again with you guys ...

Looks like Bridget and Stephan have their game on.

Stephan wrote: "Shanea wrote: "Looks like Bridget and Stephan have their game on."

Yes, but I cheated... I'd read it before..."

Shhhhh.
So did I.

This is one of my favorite books. The characters are so real: irksome, annoying, loving, kind, angry. I love how McEwen weaves time into the novel without giving clean indicators of what time we are in [ex. Dec 1941, Sept 1947, etc]. I love how he withholds truths but reveals them later in a jaw-dropping way. I have no intention of ever seeing the movie as I think it will undoubtedly cheapen the experience for me.

Just started (well I read the first chapter) but oh well, the movie was very strong, it is very imagine character looks anything else than Keira and Saroise.

Going to finish reading a book for my SFF club then will tackle this as my first read for this club.

Just starting part 2. I bought this book at a second hand book shop many years ago. I started to read it, and only made it through a couple of chapters and really couldn't get into it. Back on the shelf it went. Thought about it occasionally, but just couldn't do it. So, I am so glad this group is reading this book now. It gave me a good reason to pick it up and keep at it. I'm half way through now, and will really just be glad when I am finished it. The first part was kind of dull.....here's hoping the last part picks up a bit.

Just started few days ago and at first I really can't grap the book. I don't like thebcharacters and all. But after I read it again, I realize that I really don't like Briony and the other character is fine by me. And after the letter incident and all the vulgarity in it, I suddenly become interested. Well, it's alittle hard for me as english is not my mother language and my english is so bad.

Just finished Part 2. I liked it a lot more than part 1. Actually looking forward to part 3 now.

I just finished it. I need some time to digest what I've read.

So I finished this book. Glad to finally be able to say that I have read it, and make space for something else on my bookshelf.

Susan wrote: "So I finished this book. Glad to finally be able to say that I have read it, and make space for something else on my bookshelf."
Sorry, what was that? I can't concentrate over the adorableness of penguin.

Shanea wrote: "Susan wrote: "So I finished this book. Glad to finally be able to say that I have read it, and make space for something else on my bookshelf."
Sorry, what was that? I can't concentrate over the a..."

Ha ha....cute isn't he? I keep telling my husband that I want a pet penguin, but he keeps saying NO!

I finished this book last night. I purchased an e-book from Amazon. This is the first novel I have read by Ian McEwan, and, overall, I liked it. I totally didn't see it coming when Briony accused Robbie. I love a good love story, and I was sad for Robbie and Cee. But the ending almost had me throwing my Kindle across the room! Another "almost" happy ending.

I found the story to be enjoyable: I loved the descriptions of the house, grounds and people in the first part. Of course, I was surprised by how this part ended. The second part was exciting and gripping, and the end of the third part, well, had me on my feet in frustration. I did find it amusing that, after reading "The Sound and the Fury", we find ourselves involved with yet another dysfunctional family due to self absorbed parents.

Since I finished early, I am continuing to read "The Woodlanders" by Thomas Hardy. I loved "Tess of the D'Urbevilles", and wanted to try something else by Hardy. I am looking forward to next month's book.

I finished this book in four days which astounds me. I think my 2014 reading goals are way too low.

Alex wrote: "I finished this book in four days which astounds me. I think my 2014 reading goals are way too low."
Grab an epic read like "Middlemarch" or "Moby Dick" to slow you down. :)

I finished second chapter, this is really lovely. Some ya writers would take a hint how to write novels, it is not just about dialogy. Hopefully I can finish this tomorrow, hopefully the end is satisfying, I would remember that movie has different kind ending. Then I will watch movie again, I have wanted to watch it all time while reading but didn't wanna do it side by side.

I finished the book a week and a half ago. I liked the book but didn't love it, the more I talk about the book the more I'm leaning to the side of nothing liking it.

Briony is a horrid character and I never liked her from the beginning.

I agree about Briony. I watched movie too she and Sherlock (well Benedict, what ever his role name was on this) were both pretty awful. The plot make me pretty hard to love it, more I appreciate writing.

I tried to read this with another group four years ago, both on audio and DTB, and the farthest I got was about 30 pages in before abandoning it. It was just so tedious. But, I'd heard what a great story it was, so decided to watch the movie. I was frustrated with that because it took FOREVER to get to the action of it; while by the end I understood the importance of all that lead-up, while watching, it felt monotonous and pointless. The second half was great, however, and I loved the ending, with Briony admitting that she WANTED to make things right, but either didn't take her chance, or never got one. It's heartbreaking.

When I read the book this time, I settled in for a tedious beginning but my mindset was different, since I knew where the story was headed. As the story went along and I saw the pieces from the "God perspective" already knowing the outcome, they were much more intriguing to me, but I couldn't help but wonder if I would be getting any enjoyment out of it if I didn't already know? I didn't remember all the details of the second half, so that was more interesting to read. I finally came to the conclusion that I was glad I'd seen the movie first, but I did actually decide I liked the book after reading through it later. There are levels and depths of layers to the story that are brilliant.

I was actually amazed by McEwan's grasp of the flightiness of a young girl's imagination. I was nearly that bad as a child (short of completely turning someone into a sex addict in my mind without having facts!) I remember daydreams that were extremely detailed, and I LOVED the sections of Briony's pondering that everyone around her has just as detailed a life and thoughts of her own. Those young adult years are the first stages of that realization, and so important to later development. Unfortunately, she doesn't learn quickly enough to save Robbie....

One of the themes that I think could be easy to overlook about this book is that of the unreliability of witnesses. The fact that a man could go to jail on the word of one 13-year-old witness is astounding. Yes, we need to not doubt the victim, but we also need to make sure we have darn good evidence to convict someone to make sure they aren't falsely charged! My ex husband used to work with kids with mental health issues, and the agency he worked for had to make sure to take measures to protect their male workers and assure that they were never alone with young females, partly for the sake of the girls, of course, but partly because there have been countless lives ruined because a spiteful teenage girl made an accusation because she didn't get something she wanted, and a charge stays on a man's record long after an incident, whether it happened or not. Victimization can go both ways. The whole bit about Briony not feeling like she could retract the statement after awhile, because too many adults would be disappointed, is not something that should be taken lightly. That's an extremely important issue.

I think it was brilliant that he essentially gave two different possible endings for the story. One, Briony gets to reconcile with her sister and Robbie, and give them the life they should have had. But the agony there is that they don't forgive her anyway, and think of how much of their OWN lives they destroy in not forgiving! But the tragedy of the "true" ending Briony's not knowing whether they WOULD have forgiven her or not....because she never got the chance to try to make it right and find out. Very much true life.

I see I liked this story even more than I thought I did :)