I just learned from the Guardian that Ian McEwan's next novel will be released in 2010. To any McEwan fan, this can mean an agonizing wait. We seldom get our McEwan fix, since the man is anything but prolific. But the wait is worth it; every novel is very satisfying.
When you read a McEwan novel, you never know what's in store for you. All you are sure of is one thing -- that something bad is going to happen. The couple you meet in your holiday in Venice can be into sadism; children bury their parents in their garden; two distinguished men poison each other unknowingly; a couple's sexual incompatibility results in an unhappy end.
A lot of fans have been disappointed with the big screen adaptation of Atonement, the novel many people consider as McEwan's best. I think the movie did try to remain faithful to the novel, and regardless whether it's an adaptation or not, it's one amazing piece of cinematic storytelling.
Other McEwan novels adapted into movies are The Comfort of Strangers, which features a fabulous cast (including Helen Mirren) and Enduring Love with Rhys Ifans obsessing over Daniel Craig in his pre-007 years.
Keira Knightley and James McAvoy in Atonement
Rupert Everett, Natasha Richardson, and Christopher Walken in The Comfort of Strangers
Daniel Craig and Samantha Morton in Enduring Love
14 comments:
Hi
i like to ask if you are accepting exchange link?
let me know comment me
I also admire McEwan, liked your line about something bad happening, that's how I describe McEwan's work; bad things happening to ordinary people. I always have trouble choosing a favourite McEwan novel, they are all great, even On Chesil Beach, which lots of people I know didn't like, have to admit that one isn't my favourite though.
@depedteacher: All right. I'm open to exchanging links!
@Book pusher: There's always something sinister going on in McEwan novels. They're very atmospheric.
Atonement's fans were disappointed?! Well we all know that movies rarely ever live up to the book reader's expectations. I've never read Atonement but the movie is easily one of the most brilliant films I've seen!
Hi Patrick! I agree you with about Atonement, as it was easily one of the best films to come out recently. Have you read a McEwan novel? I think you're going to like his novels.
Thanks for this post, Peter. I have never read McEwan but your post has intrigued me. Will have to put him on my wishlist.
Hello, Jo! You should definitely try out reading McEwan. I think you'll like his short stories as well.
I have not read a McEwan novel yet. I had this notion that his novels are like Nicholas Sparks's which are more on romance? Not sure if that's true though.
Hi Patrick! Nicholas Sparks is the last person I would associate McEwan with. His novels aren't really about romance.
I have Atonement in my TBR, I plan to read it this year
Hi Blooey! Yes, you should! Hehehe. I want everyone to read McEwan! They don't know what they're missing.
I don't know about other people, but I did like the movie adaptation of Atonement. Of course, nothing can ever compare to the book itself, but I thought it was a good movie. Haven't seen the movie Enduring Love though. It sounds like something I'm going to enjoy :)
I'm excited about the new McEwan novel. Seems a lot of good stuff are coming next year (like the supposed 4th installment to the Jason Bourne franchise, which I absolutely love)
Hello, Mark David! I can't wait for the next McEwan novel as well. I have yet to read a Bourne novel though.
Oh I've only read one Bourne novel so far, since I'm not really much into the mystery/thriller types when it comes to books. But I've read somewhere that a 4th Bourne movie is coming this 2010 and that I'm surely excited about :)
I think there are now 7 novels in the Bourne franchise. I wonder if I'd ever be able to keep up, hehe.
Post a Comment