On Chesil Beach

This is a short, subtle read dealing with the minutiae of a marriage break-up, before it's even begun. Set in 1962, it's pre flower-power come sexual revolution and it's painful reading about just how repressed the British were. Edward and Florence are prime examples of this and the story shows just how hysterical they become due to their apprehensions and expectations of what is "expected" of them on the wedding night- at the end of the day the breakdown happens because of some simple misunderstandings and mis-interpretations -but the consequences are tragic.

It's a beautifully written book and reminds me of the work of John Fowles. It's the sort of novella that you can get lost in and it's short enough to read in one sitting. It's difficult to say that it's a joy to read because of the subject matter, but although it's not a joyful read in itself it is possible to take delight in the language and upon finishing it I knew that I had read something special. For me McEwan is a worth successor to John Fowles and is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.