A great book, one of the most interesting and depressing novels I ever read. Unfortunately I made the mistake of watching the movie first (not knowing about this book at that time), which spoiled part of the novel and especially the ending for me. That's the reason for changing the rating from 4 stars to 5, adding this book to my alltime favourites.

I was drawn into the book right from the beginning - the pre-war setting with its lush and carefree atmosphere, spoiled by the events during the course of a day, then the darker and more brutal scenery during the war - the author did a great job here.
The characters were great as well. The motivation for their deeds (and for the things they didn't do) were understandable and there was a lot of character development. The actions that seemed to be out of character were explained by the ending. Going into depth more would spoil the book for those of my friends who might be planning to read it (if they haven't read a synopsis somewhere else or seen the film).

I still sometimes think about some of the questions the book posed for me. Is there really a thing like atonement? Is it possible to forgive someone who spoiled the entire lifes of other persons, even if she did it without fully understanding what she was doing? A really good book - and definately on my list to reread. ( )

The first third of this ebook dragged and dragged and I considered bailing. Finally, some action began and I forced myself to stick it out, though reluctantly. The writing was exquisite and the details rich. Unfortunately, I didn't care about any of the characters or the slow, plodding plot.

But don't mind me. Maybe I'm missing something. Lots of reviewers gave it 5 stars, so try it for yourself. ( )

Loved. ( )

Not my kind of book. Couldn't finish. ( )

I read it in one night and I loved it. I recommend it over the movie! It gave so much more detail and background as to what was going on. ( )

Wonderful! Sad and wonderful. ( )

review to follow ( )

This book is very well-written in terms of prose and character depth, but I was very disappointed by its plot. It seemed too contrived, too far-fetched, and far too unrealistic. There is a "twist" in the storyline which was, in my humble opinion, the best part of the whole novel, and perhaps only part that is both realistic and poignant. It was not, however, enough to redeem the book. This novel presents a chilling portrait of despair, horror, regret, and sorrow through its protagonist (and the writing is beautiful, too), but the mildly offensive, ever-so-slightly patronizing storyline gives me pause. I can certainly see how some people would love this book -- and it does do some things very well -- and I can see how some others might absolutely hate it. I think this might have been better as a short story or novella, not because it needs paring down, but because a short story's different format and focus could have underscored his well-developed characters and minimized his disappointingly contrived plot. ( )

This book is absolutely brilliant, from start to finish, McEwan's incredible command of language captivates. ( )

La primera mitad del libro es excelente, el personaje de Briony niña es fascinante. Luego, para la segunda mitad, solo tenemos un montón de descripciones sobre la segunda guerra mundial, ya muy vistas y bastante aburridas, y algo de la vida de Briony joven, quien es patética y aburrida. Es una lástima que el autor no haya mantenido la forma de relatar la historia hasta el final. El cierre de la historia –aunque inesperado- tampoco es la gran cosa. En general muy bien escrito, excelente arranque, pobre desenlace. ( )

This is meandering but ultimately tells a moving story about a young girl who made a choice she regrets her whole life, and writes about to examine her guilt. There is quite a bit of war here, and many other themes that are gently brushed by as this is not very long in the end. ( )

I really struggled to finish this even though it has like 300 pages. If it were longer, I would've given up half way through.
I've seen the film 5-6 years ago so I'm aware of the twist and that is the best part of the novel as well.
My problems are with his writing. His style is so boring and makes me care zero percent for the characters and the plot. I don't know what is it exactly, but I really didn't like this. ( )

surprisingly good - I suspect it is a book that will bother me for a long time - because it is so absolutely true. ( )

this novel is divided into four sections (the last of which is only a handful of pages). the first part is about half the book and is absolutely masterful in every way. 5 stars on every level. the writing, the tension building, the pacing. i've rarely been so anxious reading - too nervous about what momentous thing i knew was about the happen to keep reading, but also anxious about not reading because i needed to know what was about to happen. perfect in just about every way. at first the second section felt this way to me as well, with such amazing descriptions and feelings of war and being right there with the injuries and the soldiers. i don't usually appreciate war writing for long, though, and this stayed true here and continued mostly through until the very end, where he lets us know the the reunion between robbie and cecelia was made up by briony.

i really enjoyed the way he set up the misunderstandings. not just that briony was too young to understand what was going on, and so misunderstood. but all the misunderstandings that everyone else had as well. the assumptions made and the motives assigned. he handled all this so well.

while i didn't love the second half of the book as much as the first, i am so impressed by this and by his writing. ( )

I'm not sure what this one was trying to say, and I'm not sure it really does either. The overarching message seems to be that little girls are unreliable witnesses (fair) and that this makes them the devil incarnate (not fair). Also, war is bad. Which needed to be added to kill off the characters, I suppose. ( )

On the hottest day of the summer of 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis sees her sister Cecilia strip off her clothes and plunge into the fountain in the garden of their country house.

Watching her too is Robbie Turner who, like Cecilia, has recently come down from Cambridge. By the end of that day, the lives of all three will have been changed for ever, as Briony commits a crime for which she will spend the rest of her life trying to atone.

Set against the backdrop of WWII, this is a tale of young love, misdeeds and atonement. Beautifully written as always by McEwan, it's a great read.

https://quizlit.org/21-best-british-books-of-the-21st-century#atonement-by-ian-m... ( )

Briony, aged 13, "a priggish, conceited girl" witnesses an interaction between her sister and a young man. Her misinterpretation and youthful impulsivity ruins the lives around her. She spends the rest of her life trying to rewrite the ending of her crime. ( )

Not a likable character in the lot. Made it hard to get through. I quit halfway, only to pick it back up after book club members suggested it got better in the second half. It did, but still... groan. ( )

i'm not trying to be funny but the movie is just so much better ( )

I don't have much to say other than I thoroughly enjoyed the first 175 pages, but the following portions sort of lost it for me. The first and second halves are just so very different in tone, setting, and pacing that starting the second half felt like I had been ripped from one book and dropped into another. Which, considering the fact the second half is 5 years into World War II, I suppose one could make an argument on the purpose of the disjointed feeling, but personally I just didn't like it. I mentioned this earlier but I also just don't really enjoy war stories: I completely understand their importance and how meaningful they can be, but I'd rather read nonfiction accounts of theses moments, like biographies. Again, this is a personal preference, so someone else will likely enjoy the war portions.
Also, I felt like the main conflict and drama presented in the first part never got any worthwhile answers. The audience kind of does for a moment before THAT rug is ripped away, too (spoilers, so I won't say). I feel like McEwan was trying to really get into depth about fiction writing here, but I think I lost the point.
However, I do want to say that I am totally checking out another one of McEwan's books in the future because his writing style is incredibly appealing to me. It's very lyrical, sensual, and the imagery he creates is soooooo nice to read! Holding out some hope that I'll enjoy another work of his even more! ( )

Very disappointing read for me. I bought this shortly after watching the film (which I loved), and I realized quickly that McEwan's writing style (particularly the dialogues) is not for me. ( )

Very disappointing read for me. I bought this shortly after watching the film (which I loved), and I realized quickly that McEwan's writing style (particularly the dialogues) is not for me. ( )

This book was beautifully written and fun to read. The author artfully combines facts and fiction with shameless honesty. His greatest achievement is providing an experience for the reader. He made me feel like I was "there" by engaging all of my senses throughout the story. I am glad i had to read 20th century reads. ( )

It took me a long time to realize that Antonement is a novel within a novel. Knowing that makes me like the book more and less at the same time. More because I admire the big idea behind it. So meta. So interesting. Less because it kind of pulls the rug out from under you as a reader, and it doesn't quite seem fair. I'm reading this story, investing in these characters' lives, and then when I get to the end I'm told the ending was just made up? Ok, obviously, I knew from the beginning it was all made up. But the level on which it's all made up changes at the end of the book. It made me really sad.

When I was almost to the epilogue, BJ told me he'd seen the movie and thought it was really unrealistic how fast Cecilia and Robbie fell in love. I said their falling in love made sense in the novel. Then an hour later when I finished the book, I was like, BJ was right! How could Cecilia and Robbie have had such an enduring love when they were only together for a few hours before being separated for years? But it only makes sense that Briony would imagine them having a great love. It's her imagination conjuring up the scenario in which her crime is the worst it could be, the most dramatic, the most novelistic.

After finishing this, I thought about what kind of a discussion we'd have had in my Modern British Lit class about it. (I think a version of this thought after I finish any literary book.) And it struck me that if you didn't make it through the epilogue and tried to bluff, you could make a total fool out of yourself. ( )

I read this book in high school and loved it. It's been almost 10 years since I read it in high school. My reading tastes have changed a lot since then. I much prefer fantasy and fast-paced action/adventure books now, however I did still enjoy this. High school me would have rated it 5 stars. Now I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. My main issue was pacing. The pacing sometimes dragged on quite a bit, at least to me but like I said I'm use to and I like fast-paced action/adventure books. Also I'm not a huge fan of books that are set in war times and one of the main characters is a soldier in the war. Now I don't have a problem having a war in a book but following a soldier in the war is just not my cup of tea. So for me, this part of the book was dull and I couldn't wait to get through it, however if you like following a soldier in the war then this book might work for you (at least the middle part).

**Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD**


This book has an interesting message about how much we have an effect on the lives of those around us. The actions of one little girl had the power to ruin 2 peoples lives. Though I think what's more frustrating with this book is the adults in it and how much stock they put into Briony's statement. Honestly I think the adults in here were just looking for someone to blame so they could close the case quickly even if that meant arresting someone innocent. There were too many pieces that didn't add up. 1. It was night time and it was dark, you've got an impressionable young girl who already has a bias against Robbie so what makes you think you can trust what she saw? 2. Robbie was the one who found the twins and brought them back, how did he have time to attack Lola when he was getting the twins? 3. Why would he even come back if he was the one to attack Lola? Why not just run then? 4. Even though Robbie is their servant's son, it's not like they don't know him or his character. Robbie was raised with that family, Cee and Briony's dad was paying for his education, he was like a brother to them and NO ONE questions or doubts that he could have done this other than Cee? Seriously?! The adults frustrated me so much.

Now I will say it was interesting seeing Briony try to atone for her screw up, even though at this point nothing she could have said or done would have made up for what she did to Robbie. I wish that part in her book she wrote about Robbie confronting her and him and Cee being together was real but unfortunately it was only her attempt to "atone" for what she did by giving them the happy ending in her book that they deserved but was robbed of. Though Robbie and Cee's real fate was a tragic one, it does give me hope as the reader that since they both died around the same time, maybe they still got to be together in their afterlife. That's the happy ending I want to imagine for them and it also helps me a little to forgive Briony for being a stupid kid who can't mind her own damn business. ( )