Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

The book I want to read for week 3 is on hold at the library... so I am reading the week 11 (Rory Gilmore Challenge) book instead.

I have read one Ian McEwan book, The Children Act, and liked it, so am looking forward to starting this one.

For me, this was one of the rare occasions where I preferred the movie.

I actually didn't get the hype around the book. Wasn't for me.

I loved the movie - I remember being in floods of tears. Then I read the book, and was like ... eh. It's always a nice change when I prefer the movie though - usually quicker to recapture than rereading the book.

I plan on reading this book for the Popsugar challenge. I'm disappointed to hear that the movie was better because I've heard such good things about the book.

Jody wrote: "For me, this was one of the rare occasions where I preferred the movie."

I felt the same when I read it last year. I found the book a bit boring.
(And something tells me, that we had this "conversation" last year)

But I hope you'll enjoy it, Celia :-)

Starting to read Friday--- I'll let you all know

I barely remember reading the book, but I can remember the movie very clearly. In particular, I remember Benedict Cumberbatch didn't fit my mental image of Paul at all, which took me out of the movie experience a bit.

I'm sorry to say this is one of only three DNFs for me in the last 6 years.

Loved the movie, tried to read the book 3 times and just couldn't get into it.

I really enjoyed Atonement--the book. Haven't seen the movie. The book startled me with a few twists, but I like that.

I read this a few years ago because I really loved the movie. In both cases, I found the war scenes kind of dragged on for too long but it also kind of brought home the point of the characters being separated for so long.

Celia wrote: "The book I want to read for week 3 is on hold at the library... so I am reading the week 11 (Rory Gilmore Challenge) book instead.

I have read one Ian McEwan book, The Children Act, and liked it, ..."
I'm going to read this for week 11 as well. Did you enjoy it, Celia?

Bam wrote: "Celia wrote: "The book I want to read for week 3 is on hold at the library... so I am reading the week 11 (Rory Gilmore Challenge) book instead.

I have read one Ian McEwan book, The Children Act, ..."

I enjoyed them both. Actually, Atonement more than The Children Act. Atonement has a unique story line (at least I had never experienced it before). I really enjoy adding books to my list that have something new to offer.

Celia wrote: "Bam wrote: "Celia wrote: "The book I want to read for week 3 is on hold at the library... so I am reading the week 11 (Rory Gilmore Challenge) book instead.

I have read one Ian McEwan book, The Ch..."

I had a hard time getting into the book but now that I'm halfway through, I can't put it down. I agree; it is very different.

I gave it 5 stars in the end, even though it wasn't perfect. I just liked what he did with the story.

I despised the movie. So much. I disliked absolutely everything about it. I found the characters as well as the plot completely unfulfilled and boring.

I can't comment on the book or the writing, but because of the movie I will never attempt this book.

I say I want to read this year after year and never get around to it. Maybe I'll finally squeeze it in this year.

I liked the book. And really enjoyed the film.

I will say this book has one of the best descriptions of a migraine I've ever read.

Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "I liked the book. And really enjoyed the film.

I will say this book has one of the best descriptions of a migraine I've ever read."

LOL

Kirsten *I support diversity in my reading and my world!" wrote: "
I will say this book has one of the best descriptions of a migraine I've ever read."

Agreed!

Honestly I didn't like the beginning but found it more enjoyable as I read on. But I really disliked part 2, when (view spoiler)[Robbie goes to war (hide spoiler)] but I liked Briony and Cecilia's POVs thereafter

I read this for my Rory Gilmore Challenge. I'm glad I finally read this one, but found it overall to be pretty "meh". It just wasn't my cup of tea.

3/5

I'm reading this for the multiple perspective prompt #16. I've been wanting to read the book and watch the movie. All the comments above made me a little nervous about the book. I notice there isn't a lot of dialogue in it and for me that makes a book tough. I've read the first few chapters. It's ok so far.

The funny part is my daughter is currently dating a Robbie Turner so that is kind of funny. I showed her the back of the book and she kind of laughed.

I'm not sure if it's okay to bring up this thread again, but I'm kind of desperate to talk to someone that have read this book. I need to know if anybody thinks the same.

We get the story from Briony, and she tells us that we can't trust her as a narrator. With that said, the scene in the library, that was (for me) just not two virgins having sex for the first time. Reading the book, I guess it's explained well enough, but then knowing it's Briony telling us the story, I felt like it was more to it than that.

My point is that I'm thinking that maybe Cee and Robbie were in a relationship (also sexual) for a while - maybe it started in College. That the message to Cee in the letter was not a mistake (though a mistake to give it to Briony), and beacuse of the difference in class, they hid their relationship, until Briony found them. In Briony's head, it was the first time they were together because it was the first time she saw them together. But really, the first time having intercourse, many women bleed and they hurt.