Suze.'s Review of Ian McEwan The Comfort of Strangers
19th Dec 2001
Overall Rating
- Value for money
The Comfort of Strangers is a short novel, easy read and yet so well written. A real twist at the end.
Bad Points
None.
General Comments
For those who don't know this author already, Ian McEwan is one of the darlings of the British literary scene - forever up for prizes or awards. I have read most of his books but this one (one of his earliest) is my favourite. Set in a mediterranean resort (Greece? Italy?) a 30-40 something couple are having an intimate, relaxing holiday. As you read the book you slip into their easy frame of mind, feel the heat of the sun and the taste of their food. I can't remember how but they strike up a casual acquaintance with a local man and, over the course of their holiday, get to know him better. There's something troubling about this man but the couple don't quite focus on it and that's their downfall. When you get to the scene where they are all round his place for dinner, begin to steel yourself! You will not forget this book easily.
On average, people found this review helpful
Members' Comments onSuze.'s Review
kayte. on 29th Apr 2003
Atonement Ian McEwan Study Guide
i disagree with the fact that this review believes one is taken straight into the novel and transported to this other world. i read this book for my yr 12 english journal and i found it extremely hard to get into the story, we have to give a personal response and i found it extremely difficult to do so. i felt as though i was never actually aloowed within the book, story and places we were taken.
kayte