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Title: The Innocent : A Novel by Ian McEwan ISBN: 0-385-49433-5 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 29 December, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.21 (24 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Geek Misplays a Tough Hand
Comment: This fast-moving novel captures the mindset and experiences of an innocent man in the midst of first love, as well as the pleasure he takes in his geeky work, before his world collapses. Across McEwan's oeuvre, "The Innocent" reminds me the most of "The Comfort of Strangers", since the narrative in both these page-turners veers suddenly into the macabre. Unlike many of McEwan's books, the lovers-this time, Leonard and Maria-connect in both strategy and action. But this clean connection yields a grisly misadventure. "The Innocent" is an involving read. But the squeamish might enjoy "Atonement" more.
Rating: 5
Summary: Another McEwan winner - spy story better than love story
Comment: Ian McEwan's distinctively noir-ish post-war spy thriller "The Innocent" is nearly though not as accomplished and satisfying as "Enduring Love", "Black Dogs" and "Atonement". At the heart of "The Innocent" is a love story between a young Englishman - assigned on a secret mission at the Anglo-American and Russian border of divided Germany - and an older and more experienced frau with a dangerous past (spelled femme fatale). Without a doubt, the liaison would lead to personal tragedy and other betrayals far beyond the ken of imagination.
Built around the love story is an artifice that speaks of espionage and deceit - even between allied partners - that for me proved far more compelling than the story's central concern. Happily, McEwan doesn't miss a beat, seizing the opportunity to pour scorn on the provincial-mindedness of the English while not condoning the crude display of American superiority. But when the plot starts to move away from Leonard's external life to focus on his passionate love affair with Maria, that's when the story loses its thread and begins to seem rather familiar and predictable. Even the ex-husband's reappearance and the outcome of his encounter with the couple on their engagement night plays like film noir melodrama. But wait, just as McEwan never ever disappoints, his writing is never ever less than riveting. From there on, the reader is kept in constant nail-chewing mode pondering poor Leonard's fate as he watches him try desperately to bury the evidence that would incriminate him. For the first time, McEwan delivers a denouement that may be written a little too large. Sure, it made my jaw drop but you can't help thinking afterwards......is this believable ?
Quite apart from it being not his style, McEwan would have outraged our sense of morality had he allowed a "happily-ever-after" ending for Leonard and Maria. No such luck. Before the final curtains falls, we would be treated to a letter in a fast forward that would explain all and move the most hardened heart to tears. It would also win over any dissenter for the novel's occasional lapse into melodrama. "The Innocent" isn't my favourite McEwan novel but it's got all the ingredients of a great novel which combined with his familiar trademarks and flourishes makes it a winner for me. Highly recommended.
Rating: 4
Summary: David Schachter, Tucson, AZ
Comment: In classic McEwan style. Some of the historical information while interresting is a bit dry. However, McEwan's morbid view into the heart of darkness certainly moistens the story considerably. Passion, Love, sex and really nasty murder. Rather darkly enjoyable.
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Title: Black Dogs : A Novel by Ian McEwan ISBN: 0385494327 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 29 December, 1998 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Enduring Love : A Novel by Ian McEwan ISBN: 0385494149 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 29 December, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan ISBN: 0679749845 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 01 November, 1994 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan ISBN: 0679750185 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 13 January, 1994 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: The Child in Time by Ian McEwan ISBN: 0385497520 Publisher: Anchor Pub. Date: 02 November, 1999 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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