Atonement

Atonement by Ian McEwan

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Atonement has given me a lot of cause for thought. I identified with Briony's discovery that other people must each have their own secret lives happening in their head. She views that thought with distaste. I have simply had moments, at work, or the grocery store, where it's as if a light has gone on, and I'm suddenly looking around and thinking that all these people are absorbed in a different story from mine. It is so easy to see people as simple actors in our own private play. It's so easy to be wrapped up in our own head, and forget that others have thoughts and feelings. If we allow that to happen, we run the risk of making the same choices that Briony made. Perhaps in smaller ways, perhaps not.

Another lesson I took away from this book, is that we cannot foresee how our actions have the potential to change the course of another life. Even the possibility of ruining lives. We must always be aware that our actions, no matter how small, will affect others in ways we cannot reverse...and that we may never have the chance for atonement.




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The Manchurian Candidate

The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Manchurian Candidate is a picture of national fear, family dysfunction, and truly terrible betrayals. Raymond Shaw is one of the least likable main characters I've ever met. But I still had compassion for him, as a product of so many people's desires and psychosis, his character is not his fault. Richard Condon describes him as one with his armor. Which is a sad thing, to be unable to shed that.

Even though I know the sort of brainwashing discussed in this book isn't currently possible (as far as we know) it was still very frightening. The idea of not being in control of yourself, and being unaware of that fact, is particularly repellent. This story gave me a lot to think about, and it has been on my mind for days. I keep coming back to certain parts of it, taking them out, examining them again.

I would suggest this book should be required reading. And I also think that Raymond's mother should be on a list somewhere of fictions most disturbing villanesses!


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The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was utterly amazing. I finished it a few weeks ago, and have still been thinking about it. It's a new twist on your typical romantic story. I was brought to care so deeply for the people in this book. Audrey created a fascinating problem, and forces you to see the world in a different light. It's a hard world, and a hard problem. There is terrible beauty in it. She brings her story full circle in a classic and horrific way. And even so, even with all the tears I cried reading it, I smiled as I cried over the ending. I want to read it again.


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