Helpful Score: 9
Molly is dead, victim of a terrible disease. She leaves behind three ex-lovers (two who are friends), and her husband. One of the ex-lovers is a politician who left Molly with a hidden secret, something that could destroy his political career. After she dies, the secret falls into the hands of Molly's lovers. They are faced with a terrible choice, one that their friendship hinges upon. This book is never dreary! The characters are intrinsically flawed, believable, and play well off each other; their foibles are mirrors of our own. It's a short read, beautifully written, and well-deserving of the literary accolades heaped upon it.
Helpful Score: 8
A well-written book by a British author that starts off promising but seems to fall flat at the end. If you have a sarcastic sense of humor and biting wit typical of British standards, you\'ll enjoy it.
Helpful Score: 5
I began this book with great anticipation, having enjoyed Atonement and Saturday greatly; I finished it not liking the abruptness of the ending. It is as well-written as expected, I just could not make the leap as to the major plot turn that leads to the ending. It is a quick read.
Helpful Score: 5
I like McEwan's work. I did not think this was one of his best, but it was very good nonetheless. It has some interesting twists and turns and held me to the end.
Helpful Score: 5
A wry British tragedy. Brings to mind the Biblical quotation about "why do you see the speck in your brother's eye and yet ignore the beam in your own." Confronts the issues of morality and mortality, self-deception and deceit, ambition and loss in a quick and amusing read.
Helpful Score: 2
Amsterdam is a quick read; not quite a novel. I felt that the characters were not entirely developed before the story ended. The abrupt ending was a bit disappointing.
Helpful Score: 2
Ian McEwan won the Booker Prize for this beautifully written novel.
He also wrote ATONEMENT. Witty & enjoyable.
He also wrote ATONEMENT. Witty & enjoyable.
Helpful Score: 1
I was disappointed, and expected a little more subtlety from McEwan. A fun, light read with a Hitchcokian plot twist that is too cute to be true. I'm surprised it won the Booker Prize.
Helpful Score: 1
A very interesting novel of contemporary British society, this book is definitely what I would call a tour de force. It kept me interested from beginning to end, trying to guess the outcome, and entertained by McEwans' always compelling style.
Helpful Score: 1
Amsterdam is a quick, well-executed morality tale. Of the Ian McEwan novels I've read, this reminds me more of On Chesil Beach than Atonement. Both feature writing which flow easily from describing a given character's state of mind and his surrounding circumstances, like a gifted cinematographer effortlessly panning out to wide angle shots from intimate close ups. McEwan excels at describing his flawed characters with a detached air. Clive and Vernon are good friends, despite both being ex-lovers of Molly Lane, who passes away suddenly and gracelessly from a rapidly debilitating disease. So touched by death, the pair make a pact which, as the story unfolds, leads to a climax in the title city. A brilliant tale of morality, sacrifice, ambition, and revenge, my only complaint is this Booker prize winner from 1998 is all too short.
Helpful Score: 1
Winner of the 1998 Booker Prize. very well written novella about two "old" friends who have a major falling out. A very enjoyable read.
Helpful Score: 1
Winner of the Booker Prize, this darkly comic novel garnered rave reviews. The story concerns two old friends who meet again after the death of a mutual mistress, and make a pact, with disastrous consequences that neither could foresee.
Helpful Score: 1
McEwan is a masterful writer and tho his books have great plots, it's the getting there that counts. You don't want to rush because he writes so beautifully. This one has an ending that will knock your socks off - can't believe it hasn't been turned into to a film ....
This was an enjoyable read, not sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting, but worth reading. It has parallels to the current "News of the World," Rupert Murdock and Rebecca Brooks hacking scandal in England today. Very well written and not your typical beach read. It's literature.
Not really my kind of book I guess. Love London setting but not real wild about these particular characters.
I did not like this book. It's a platform for characters, who are self-involved to the point of self over anyone else. The ending illuminates the ultimate self-involvement and came as a relief, because it meant the book was over.
A New York Times Best-seller. Cover calls it a "contemporary morality tale that is as profiund as it is witt.." Set in Britain, it is the story of two old friends, each of whom has acquired a large degree of eminence in their respective fields, who make a pact.
An unusual story. Ian Mcewan has become one of my favorite authors. Not just good story, but that "turn of phrase" that makes reading a pleasure. His skill is evident in all three of his books that I've read, and he has written many more. Right now I'm reading "Atonement" and it, too, is a page-turner.
Chilling; engrossing
Was't sure I would like this book when I started it, but ended up liking it very much. Interesting storyline about a dead womans two former lovers and how their fates intertwine after her death.
I was not too impressed with this book. I had read Atonement in the past and thought that book was really good but this one just left me a little bit bewildered as to why it won The Booker Prize. I will, however, check out a few more of his books because I know that he is a talented writer.
This book was a fast read and dealt with atypical subject matter. While a common lover brought all of the men together initially, the story takes some tragic turns that border on black humor by the time you get to know these characters. An entertaining read.
I love pretty much everything Ian McEwan has ever written.
Just couldn't get into this one.
I bought this book to read on a recent trip to Amsterdam!
