Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

I noticed quite a few by McEwan on the 1001 list. I have never read any by this author, and would like to just read one for now (so many books...so little time!). If a person were to read just one by McEwan which one would you McEwan fans recommend?

Atonement!

I have read 2 of his books thus far, Atonement and Enduring Love. I loved Atonement and hated Enduring Love.

Linda
All his books are very quick if uncomfortable reads. The comfort of strangers was quite disturbing as was Black dogs.
Atonement is probably the best.
The child in time was quite a sad story and The cement garden is strange.
Amsterdam is pretty good and I liked Enduring Love.
I've read them all so I'd say for a first book I'd go for Atonement.

NOT Saturday.

That's the only McEwan book I've read and I think it was an unfortunate choice.

Beth:
see, if I was to recommend a first-time McEwan reader one book, it would have to be Saturday. I think that if you don't like Saturday, McEwan's just not the right author for you. All of the basic elements of his style are in that book, and the plot is probably the least disturbing of all his books.

Linda: as I wrote above, I'd suggest that you start with Saturday. If you're looking for a quicker read, try Amsterdam - it's closer to novella-length. It's not as good as Saturday, but at least it will give you a feel for McEwan's style.

Linda, I'm curious which one you end up choosing. I liked Black Dogs, but thought Amsterdam only clever. Those are the only two I've read.

I read ATONEMENT and enjoyed it immensely, and was extremely unimpressed with AMSTERDAM. I've thought about trying SATURDAY or one of his others, but the bad taste of AMSTERDAM is lingering.

That's what wins Bookers?

Wow, thanks for all the input. I'm debating between trying either Atonement or Saturday - whichever is shorter. I have a lot of reading to do right now! I can't believe how diverse the opinions are - guess I'll just have to make up my own mind!!

I have read Enduring Love & On Chiesl Beach (not on the list) I really loved both of them. I like his writing style. Both were quick reads. I just bought Atonement, Amsterdam, Saturday and Cement Garden. I am excited for all of them.

I read Atonement, On Chesil Beach, Saturday and Black Dogs. I really enjoyed them all. I haven't gotten to Amsterdam yet, but it's in the pile. I would have to say Saturday is my favorite so far.

I’ve realized that I probably should have added something useful to my vote *against* Saturday when I made my initial comment above.

My issues with the book had nothing to do with McEwan’s style and had more to do with the characters and the subject matter. The medical terms and descriptions of the main character’s work as a neurosurgeon were a bit much for me. And the characters all annoyed me. They were all a little too perfect in an upper-middle class way and I couldn’t identify with them as real people. I don’t see this book as having universal appeal for those reasons.

The book is quite short and was a lightning fast read so it definitely has that going for it.

I don't know how you possible could "hate" one of McEwans books and then love another. After reading a few of his books his style is very very detailed, specially in the beginning of the story. Sometimes I wish he had a better editor that would have edit some of this, but that is how he writes.

Linda, try Atonement. Just remember when you start this book that the beginning is very important and lay claim to every detail you can, even how slow the story goes, remember that in the end many have found this a great book.

Beth: to be fair, I've heard lots of other people make the same comments on Saturday. The neuro-terminology puts a lot of people off - I'm a PhD student in neurophysiology myself, so I'm a bit biased on the subject. :) I understand your other point as well, but I'd say the protagonists are pretty "normal". I wouldn't say that they're perfect - even though it's been a long time since I've read it, I distinctly remember Perowne losing his temper over a silly tennis (squash) game; his condescending attitude when first approached by the antagonist; etc.

On Chesil Beach seems to be very well received, but I haven't read it myself.

Started First Love Last Rites. It's a collection of short stories. I have only read the first short story. Very good at first but just got extremely distrubing more than I could handle.

Denise: Chesil Beach was good. I read it & loved it.

That is so what I did. He is an amazing writer. I love his style!

A vote for The Daydreamer here. It is not a novel, as such, but a collection of short stories which tell a larger tale, as if it were. It's my drop-dead favorite of his. There's a longer review on my page if you are tempted.

Linden, thanks for the tip. I'd never heard of that one before. Nice review.

My first by McEwan was Saturday, which I had a difficult time getting through. I'm glad I gave him a second chance, though, because I thought Atonement: A Novel was incredible. It is definitely on my favorites list. I intend on reading On Chesil Beach next, but I don't know if anything can compare to Atonement: A Novel.

wow. maybe something is wrong with me. I hated atonement. I love to read. Can read almost anything and i was miserable reading that book.

McEwan certainly has fans and detractors. I read Chesil Beach when it was on the Common Reader discussion. To me it was depressing drivel. Had something in common with Good Soldier, and seemed equally improbable and mannered.

That reading and a quick look inside led me to toss Atonement in the library donation pile.

You can see others that loved these books.

Don't read First Love, Last Rites. With McEwan's descriptive writing this is very distrubing book.

I'm conflicted with Ian McEwan. On one hand, I find his prose incredibly beautiful and sometimes when I'm reading Atonement I just reread a few sentences to enjoy them. On the other hand, however, I feel that his plot drags. I get the feeling that he's done this just so he can write some more beautiful sentences and pat himself on the back.

I've been reading Atonement for months now, and even though the story has started to pick up, I find that I just don't care enough to read more than twenty pages or so at a time. This is one I'll finish, but it will be forced.

I am going to read Atonement most likely next month. I liked Enduring Love but who knows.

I believe I should retract my statement about Atonement. Having just finished it, I've decided it's beautiful and worth struggling through Part 1.

It's easy -- very easy to read one Mc Ewan and hate it and read another and love it. Enduring Love took me three attempts and help from a couple of friends before I read the entire book and by talking about it decided I got it and that it was a great read. Amsterdam which gather faint praise for the most part I fell in love with without blinking an eye. On Chesil Beach -- I also read and discussed with CONSTANT Reader group here as Alan did -- and I fell on the love it side -- some were a bit in the middle -- I've seen others who are not so enamored of it. Each book and each reader produces unique results as to love/hate spectrum -- authors who become favorites may be those whose entire output we love or they may be those whose works hit or miss with us but there's something overall which appeals.

I wonder sometimes if liking or not liking McEwan is comparable to the taste of coconut - you either love it or you don't. I've read Atonement twice and just love it. I enjoyed On Chesil Beach enormously but have yet to read any more of his. I know people who I share many great reads and like the same things who HATE Atonement - go figure.

Beth, I aggree with you, do not read Saturday. It is very boring.

Everything by McEwan is great, but I believe Atonement is his best work. I've heard the phrase, "If God wrote a book, it would be Atonement" in literature circles before. The writing is perfection.

Enjoy!

No, they lie! Saturday is wonderful.

I started Atonement so far like it. I've heard mixed reviews on Saturday but most of the people who said they didn't like it didn't like the Mcewan books I have read and enjoyed.

Emilee,

So far I've only read Atonement and Saturday but I really enjoyed them both. Saturday is a quick read and I found the story pretty interesting, but for me McEwan's writing is the biggest draw. I have a few more of his in my to-read pile.

Atonement!

It's the first one of his I read and it's now one of my favourites.
However if you're looking for something shorter try Amsterdam.

I just read my first McEwan book and was not at all impressed with his prose, characters, etc. People love Atonement but I don't think I can drum up the interest to pick it up.

The only McEwan book that I have ever been able to get through is Enduring Love. I thought it was a fantastic book that really put you in the head of the main character. However, everything else I've tried over the years just hasn't grabbed me in the same way.

I Finally started Saturday - my first McEwan novel. It's starting out slow, and I can't really get into some of his lengthy descriptions and rabbit trail comments, but perhaps they will prove to be valuable to the story (?)

Linda wrote: "I Finally started Saturday - my first McEwan novel. It's starting out slow, and I can't really get into some of his lengthy descriptions and rabbit trail comments, but perhaps they will prove to be..."

Whatever you do, don't judge McEwan based on your experiences with Saturday. Just my $.02

Linda --
Stick with it! It does start slowly, but then, suddenly, stuff starts happerning!

Is obsessive "love" a theme in all of his books?

Katie wrote: "Is obsessive "love" a theme in all of his books? "

No, but he does use it in at least one other of his novels...Is it Amsterdam? Not sure anymore....I just ordered "A Child In Time" from paperbackswap. I generally like McEwan's work, but I've heard mixed reviewed of this one and "On Chesil Beach" which I also have on my shelf to start soon.....

Linda wrote: "I noticed quite a few by McEwan on the 1001 list. I have never read any by this author, and would like to just read one for now (so many books...so little time!). If a person were to read just one ..."

"Atonement" would be my choice, but I've not read all of his novels.

Judith wrote: "Katie wrote: "Is obsessive "love" a theme in all of his books? "

No, but he does use it in at least one other of his novels...Is it Amsterdam? Not sure anymore....I just ordered "A Child In Time"..."

I've read Atonement, Enduring Love and The Comfort of Strangers. I felt Enduring Love and Comfort were quite similar. I enjoyed the first half of Atonement very much.

My first McEwan was Atonement and i thought it wouldn't really be that great-it was so popular etc. But i really loved it. Really addictive and the writing is very warm, in my opinion, i don't know if you get that with any of his other books. I started to read Saturday but just couldn't get into it. I keep hearing good things about his new one though, so maybe ill check it out. Has anyone read his new one yet??

www.keremmermutlu.tumblr.com

My first McEwan was Black Dogs and my favourite ist Atonement. In Atonement you can see how good the author can describe a woman's thoughts and feelings.
I didn't like the Cement garden and On Chesil Beach was a little bit disappointing.

without a doubt ATONEMENT!!
have real chesil beach, black dogs and enduring love
have never watched film because the book is perfect

On Chesil Beach was wonderful. I loved First Love, Last Rites but I understand why a lot of people hate it. It's weird and disturbing and could turn you off from reading McEwan's other works if it's your first. I personally think Atonement is over-rated but you'll have to see for yourself. Most people love it. Definitely worth reading.

Katie wrote: "Is obsessive "love" a theme in all of his books? "

Not really; it was one of his themes in Enduring Love but he focuses on other themes in his other novels =)

I thought I had commented in this thread but I guess not...but yeah, Atonement gets my vote all the way =D I read it right before the movie came out in theatres and absolutely loved it.

I also enjoyed Amsterdam but Atonement is still number one for me =)

I'm hesitant to pick up On Chesil Beach; I've heard so many mixed reviews about it. What do you guys think?

Linda wrote: "I noticed quite a few by McEwan on the 1001 list. I have never read any by this author, and would like to just read one for now (so many books...so little time!). If a person were to read just one ..."

I read Atonement and quite enjoyed it.

Ive read ATONEMENT, AMSTERDAM, and THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS. I have had my fill of him. I consider him a second rate author who writes sensationalized accounts of murder and suicide. It´s like a broken record, pick up another McEwan and let´s see what we will get. Why murder and mayhem? I would never have guessed.