Written on: 04/06/2009 by renzarov
Atnonement blew me away, & got me into Ian McEwan big time. I have to say that the Comfort of Strangers is disappointing, though. There is simply too much canvas painting with too little psychology. The couple are banal & dislikeable, Robert is Gothic monster, & one feels no empathy with his abused wife, despite his violence (which she's grown to love).
There IS considerable craftsmanship at work in this portrayal- but it's largely in the service of providing a spurious scenic,...
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Written on: 28/02/2009
I confess that I ended up scimming most of The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan as I found the characters so banal at the beginning-their main attribute seemed to be forgetting the blasted map-but I kept on reading just to see if anything more interesting turned up. I just didn't get the atmosphere of Venice that other reviewers feel catapulted them into all that love-making. And then the really implausible climax with that creepy couple. I know I've lived a sheltered life but does anyone... (read more)
Written on: 21/11/2007 by The reader
Haunting tale, un-nerving yet page turning material gradually turning into a Stephen King style horror story. (read more)
Written on: 01/04/2003 by Nicola.
Ian Mcewan's vivid imagery is potrayed splendidly throughtout this novel. An intoxicating read that will leave your mind reeling and your body numb.
The story follows Mary and Colin, a couple on the edge of falling apart. The influence of the exotic and mysterious setting, and the introduction to exuberent locals, bring lust and passion back into their relationship. Their new found obsession for each other leaves an everlasting impact on both them and the readers. You will never forget the...
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Written on: 25/02/2002 by Liss.
The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan is highly descriptive, but the reader sees everything with blurred vision; the characters are never completely imaginable (with the exception of Robert) and although it is obviously set in Venice, this is never explicitly stated. This gives the novel a far greater impact on the reader- it (I'll leave it up to you to find out what)could have happened to any young, metropolitan couple, anywhere in the world. Colin and Mary are very easy characters to... (read more)
Written on: 19/12/2001 by Suze.
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... (read more)
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Kayte.'s Response to 7586_Suze.'s Review
Written on: 29/04/2003
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.
<br>kayte