NYLONbooks

On Chesil Beach

On Chesil Beach, September 2009, 7/10.

Written by Ian McEwan.  Published by Nan A. Talese / Doubleday.

A strange little novella that highlights the extent of social change and breakdown in traditional customs in a very short period.  While these are interesting themes the book took a distant view of them and the author chose not to analyse the ripples such changes have caused, instead letting the story take its path and allowing the reader the consider and draw conclusions.  The nonlinear timeframe – 95% of the book deals with one night and various memories related to it and the last 5% deals with the rest of the characters’ lives – was an interesting narrative device and I feel was well used to highlight that the lead up to a decision that is made in a second can have ramifications that are felt for a lifetime.  A secondary theme was a consideration of pride and an invitation to question when it is best to stand up and when it is best to back down.