Published in 2001 by First Anchor Books
This book weighed heavily on my mind for the days that lead up to actually reading it. I had seen the movie back in college and remember finding Kiera Knightly pretty but inept at actually conveying any real emotion, and the young girl who played Briony was intolerable and by the end I felt like I had missed the story because the characters were so distracting.
So the fact that I really truly overwhelmingly liked this book says something. I am still not sure what that something is though. But I am leaning in the very positive side right now.
Atonement is a novel in four parts; part one focuses on the events of a single night and how the choices a thirteen year old girl (Briony) makes can destroy the lives of others, part two focuses on the war effort in France (where Robbie, the one hurt the most by the young girls words is fighting overseas,) part three showcases the life of Briony as she has aged and can now see what she did in a different light, as well as a light dalliance on what has become of the other characters, and part four in based in London in 1999 when she finds out there isn't long for her to live.
By the end of the movie I was angry and felt that Briony was a waste of space, but the book was very different. I felt sad for her, and for her inability to truly make amends with anyone. Without giving away too much, this was an excellent book, definitely one of the best I have read recently. And the twist is surprising and jolting even when you know it's coming.
Rating: ****
No comments:
Post a Comment