Ronny Howard’s Reviews > Atonement > Status Update

The war section of the book was amazing. The descriptions of the horrors were chilling and realistic, and I feel almost ashamed to not be thinking of the soldiers' fight in WW2 more often. I know it's quite abstract, but it's at the forefront of my mind now. His using Cecilia to get him home is perfect. Now Briony's a nurse, and it really goes to show how awful the NHS actually is. The thought of a clean hospital!

It's turned into a World War II novel and I couldn't be more happy. It's suddenly become so beautiful, I don't even know how I should express it. I'm so happy Cecelia stuck with Robbie, and I'm wondering how Briony plans to Atone. I'm just so eager, and I take back when I said it was difficult to pick up. It's the easiest thing in the world, but still so impossible to put down.

This book just GRIPPED me. I'm not sure how to feel - was it Danny? Was it Marshall? I felt certain it was Marshall and I kind of still do but I'd forgotten about Hardman. I do feel slightly wary about revering this book which covers a topic like this. I think it's done tactfully though, and in a way which doesn't diminish the victim. Briony is insufferable and I don't know how Emily doesnt see Hermione in her.

I usually hate misunderstandings in books but this one seems so familiar, the childish nature of it. I'm really enjoying it, but I'm worried that if it gets dragged too long it'll become boring.

It's finally picking up now. This is a book I find hard to pick up but somehow also hard to put down.

I don't think I paid much attention to this book the first time I tried to read it. I definitely didn't pick up on the subtle ironies and foreshadowing on each page, I'm still not sure how I'm feeling about it, and I don't know the entire plot yet, but it reminds me a bit of On The Road. Great texture, but not too much flavour.