The Sense of an Ending discussion

Which would you read first? I've chosen the Sense of an Ending given that it's a shorter book so that it won't make much difference either way. But I was in a quandry last night, so it set me thinking why i'd pick one over the other. In the end it came down to the size of the book. If you've read them which would you read first and why?

If I could only read one, it would be Atonement in a heartbeat. It has a much bigger and longer lasting impact. McEwan is really an incredible author. I read Sense of an Ending a few months ago and while it's a fine book, the story is already fading in my mind.

Peter: agreed! Atonement has so much more heart.

Totally agree. Atonement is probably the best book I have ever read, whereas I have just read The Sense of an Ending and it didn't have much of an impact on me.

Atonement is so well-written and with really sympathetic characters. The story really made me think and in my opinion should have won the Man Booker.

I started with Sense of an Ending because it was the shorter of the two, and I figured it wouldn't be long til I got to Atonement anyway. I'm over half way through Sense of an Ending now and I'm enjoying it a lot. So I can only imagine the impact Atonement will have on me now!

Sense of an Ending is slight and handles its "big" themes in a clumsy fashion. Atonement is not only a beautiful love story, but manages to do something complicated with the idea of fiction.

Understand dilemma given the size of books, but Atonement for me is in a different league to Sense of an Ending. I read Atonement some time ago but is still very vivid in my mind whereas Sense of Ending just finish and left me with a feeling of disappointment

I'll swim against the tide here and say "Sense of an Ending." I just read it and was amazed by the power of a writer to have such control of his pen, to say so much in a small space. The good news is, whichever one you choose you won't regret it and you'll have a great book to read next.

Half way through sense of an ending, I felt as if the story didn't hold me. Right now it is on my bedside table, haven't gotten to reading it yet and I think I've already forgotten the story. So will have to start this all over again. I'm not sure its worth the effort, however on principle (I can't give up on a book, no matter how worthless I think it is) I will go back and read it.
About Atonement, I've seen the movie first and loved it. It is one of my all time faves. So right now I am curious to know if the book is better as it usually happens ? And should I read it now that I've seen the movie?

I rather enjoyed this book. Who were we then? How am I still that person? Following the trail left by memory. Something I find myself doing in this stage of my life.

Sense of an Ending is not for those looking for a traditional novel with a predictable plot development, climax and resolution (and I love traditional novels don't get me wrong) The first comparison that comes to mind is The Good Soldier. The reader thinks he knows what is happening. It is all very straightforward and direct and then slowly the rug starts being pulled from our feet as we realize just how unreliable our narrator is. Then the book ends. It's quite an experience but it may leave some unsatisfied if they were looking forward to a traditional novel with a more conventional narrative arc. It's not so much about *what* happens (not much when you get down to it) but how the story is told and in this aspect it was , in my opinion, absolutely brilliant. All I can say is that it hit me very personally in the sense that I find myself questioning my memories and how much I have justified previous acts by shrouding them and sugar coating them until they barely resemble reality. Very profound book.

Ana wrote: "Sense of an Ending is not for those looking for a traditional novel with a predictable plot development, climax and resolution (and I love traditional novels don't get me wrong) The first compariso..."

Many of those same things can be applied to Atonement. The narrative structure is quite different and the rug is pulled from the reader in the end. The Good Soldier is miles ahead of Sense of an Ending in terms of execution, theme, and even how the unreliable narration functions. The Good Soldier is a masterpiece; Sense of an Ending is slight and forgettable.

I agree that the Good Soldier is a superior novel but IMO Sense of and Ending bears a comparison. It is definitely a 'slighter' novel but I found it very very moving.

I loved Sense of an Ending but am far more passionate about Atonement, the master work of a mature author who has been exploring the theme of how a life can be changed irrevocably by a chance event in several novels and gets it exquisitely right in Atonement.

I would read Atonement first. The characters are more developed, the plot is deeper and richer, and while there is a similarity in writing styles, McEwan's use of language provides gems in every phrase.

Atonement is a masterpiece (and the movie was too in my opinion). Desperately sad and beautifully written. A book that will never be forgotten. Sense of an Ending was excellent too. Read them both; the order doesn't matter!

I would read Atonement first. It's a complex novel but has a lot of narration, character development and plotlines that you can really sink your teeth into. Its not a conventional or easy read but is stunning all the same. Sense of an Ending left me feeling a little underwhelmed. The story is reconstructed from the past by the narrator and didn't really hold my attention towards the end, although the boyhood bits were nice.

Peter wrote: "If I could only read one, it would be Atonement in a heartbeat. It has a much bigger and longer lasting impact. McEwan is really an incredible author. I read Sense of an Ending a few months ago an..."

agree wholeheartedly. I thought that 'a sense of an ending' is mediocre in comparison.

Atonement, without a doubt.

It's so life-affirming to have all these people chime in with Atonement instead of The Sense of an Ending. I feel like my faith in humanity has been restored!

Atonement is such a masterpiece, that it does not stand comparison with Sense of an Ending.

Fail to understand why these books have been clubbed together!

Haven't read Atonement yet..

Sense of an Ending had more of an impact on me than Atonement. Sense felt more personal - something I could relate to with the passage of time, degradation of memory with age, uncertainty of self, etc. Versus Atonement felt more removed with the 3rd person narrative. Atonement was beautifully written but I enjoyed Barnes' prose and style better.

Mc Ewan simply a better writer (though he can be patchy) - Atonement not my favourite of his, but still very good compared to sense of an end... zzzzzzzzz1

Marie wrote: "I rather enjoyed this book. Who were we then? How am I still that person? Following the trail left by memory. Something I find myself doing in this stage of my life."

I'm so glad you said this. I found the book sensitive and touching and very much in line with the questions I have about my life, my memories and my past. I have recommended it to many friends.

I enjoyed both books, but I must say The Sense of an Ending was a page-turner! I could not put it down!

Síle wrote: "Which would you read first? I've chosen the Sense of an Ending given that it's a shorter book so that it won't make much difference either way. But I was in a quandry last night, so it set me think..."

Atonement is the superior book, in my opinion. It is more of a sweeping story and beautifully written. Though I liked The Sense of an Ending, the ending confused me at first and I had to read it again. I don't really think these books are similar in tone or style, so in some respects it is not "fair" to compare them. However, I do recommend reading both.

Atonement first. If you don't get around to The Sense of an Ending, you will have at least read the better of the two.

Helen wrote: "I enjoyed both books, but I must say The Sense of an Ending was a page-turner! I could not put it down!"

Another vote for this beautiful book. We may be in the minority in the group, but I too could not put it down.

Atonement, hands down. Sense of an Ending is so unsubstantial and unsatisfying, I can't believe it won the Booker Prize.

SOAE is a total snooze. Not sure how a book with only two interesting lines in the whole thing won the Man Booker.

Loads wondering why I clubbed both together. Only because I had just bought both at the same time! Funnily, many months after reading both both of them are in my head, without much difference between them. I did prefer Atonement, but from all the reviews of it i'd had from here and friends, I really thought I'd enjoy it so much more than I actually did. Bad, eh?

i have never read atonement, so i can not comment on its merits. i have read sense of an ending, however, and i thought it was fantastic. im a little surprised at some of the negative comments about it here, and i can only conclude that some of these people never should have picked it up in the first place. if you were looking for a "page turner" in the traditional sense, this is not it, though i can say that i did finish it in two days.

The thing I love about McEwan is that his work is so diverse - this is why I've grown to hate writers like Anita Brookner, who keep writing the same book over and over again, even after getting it perfect with HOTEL DU LAC. McEwan doesn't do that - he takes chances. When I want consistency in a writer, I read mysteries.

Atonement.

Ooh - tough choice! I would say Sense of an Ending first and then Atonement but both are excellent.

I read Atonement some time ago. It was very good. But I can't tell you much about it. I read Sense of an ending when it was announced that it won the Booker Award about a year ago. I still can't get it out of my mind!!

I'm the same, Steven, read 'Atonement' years ago and 'Sense of an Ending' just recently. The story, characters and Barnes' style stick with me. Oddly enough I found it and swapped another book for it in one of those little micro libraries that people are putting up all over the place. Take a book and leave a book. Very lovely concept!

Either way - read both and then go and read So Long See You Tomorrow and tell me what you think...

Both are great books as far as I am concerned but, as Peter said at the beginning of this thread, Atonement hit me harder and stayed with me longer. Atonement really is one of my favourite books of all time.

I found Sense of an Ending a surprise because it did take me a while to appreciate what the author was doing. In the end I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure I want to think of it as a great book. I'll read Atonement next.

Sense of an Ending. I loved Barnes' writing style. Both are excellent, award winning books. Why choose?

Sense of an Ending. I much preferred it to Atonement - but then I'm not really an Ian McEwan fan.

Of course the easy answer is: both and in order you like… they’re both 5-star reads and the sequence you read them in won’t make any difference to the quality of the experience. But for what it’s worth, I preferred Sense of an Ending, which made me instantly fall in love with Barnes and sent me on a journey into his back-catalogue. So far I have not been disappointed.

Wendy wrote: "I'm the same, Steven, read 'Atonement' years ago and 'Sense of an Ending' just recently. The story, characters and Barnes' style stick with me."

I had the exact same experience and 100% completely agree.