Atonement Audiobook By Ian McEwan cover art

Atonement

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Atonement

By: Ian McEwan
Narrated by: Jill Tanner
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About this listen

National Book Critics Circle, Fiction, 2003

In Atonement, three children lose their innocence, as the sweltering summer heat bears down on the hottest day in 1935, and their lives are changed forever. Cecilia Tallis is of England's priviledged class; Robbie Turner is the housekeeper's son. In their moment of intimate surrender, they are interrupted by Cecilia's hyperimaginative and scheming 13-year-old sister, Briony. And as chaos consumes the family, Briony commits a crime, the guilt of which she shall carry throughout her life.

©2001 Ian McEwan (P)2003 Recorded Books
Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt
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Critic reviews

  • Book Sense Book of the Year Award Finalist, Adult Fiction, 2003

"A tour de force. Every bit as affecting as it is gripping." (The New York Times)
"Enthralling...With psychological insight and a command of sensual and historical detail, Mr. McEwan creates an absorbing fictional world." (The Wall Street Journal)
"A beautiful and majestic fictional panorama." (The New Yorker)

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What listeners say about Atonement

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Beautiful book

This book was beautifully written. The reader is one of my favorites on audible (she was one of the readers of "The Thirteenth Tale", my favorite audible book to date). The story was long, bittersweet, slow - something to savor over a cup of tea with a warm blanket, or sit on the porch with a cup of coffee. I can't wait to see the movie!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

A long read

I enjoyed the story but just felt it so long for what it had to say. There was too much running on about the texture of the surrounding but not enough insight in to character development or what attonement really ment to the main character at a more deep understanding. I was disappointed.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great story but gets a li'l slow...

The story is really well put but I do agree with many other reviewers that it digresses in the 2nd part with the elaborate war descriptions but I guess it was important for the plot. Other than that, well read and a unique plot.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A love story cut short by a lie

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An easy and fascinating read with some unexpected twists at the end. A captivating story about young lovers stopped from pursuing their romance by a lie by a younger sister. Takes place mostly in England with a small but significant part in France as troops retreat to Dunkirk. Vivid imagery of the retreat and of casualties evacuated to a hospital. Story told from the point of view of the younger sister.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very good

Better than the movie. Good reflection of High-class English life before and during the 2nd War.A totally different king of story telling.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Briony oh briony...

This book totally grew on me. Once the characters were fully developed the real story could be told - and it was superb. Be patient with the character development - it's worth it, to totally immerse yourself in the situations at hand in the book. Loved it. Have avoided this author in the past but would totally go for it based on what I experienced with his writing this time.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not enough of a story

The book was obviously very well written but for me there was not enough of a story. The part I enjoyed the most was when Robbi was making his way back to Dunkirk during the war but that did not add much to the story line, other than showing his will to live. I also thought it lacked emotion, I like books to make me laugh, cry or both but this did not really stir my emotions. I think this is one for the classroom where it can be pulled apart and all the little literary gems can be discovered.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Astonishing and Haunting

Beautiful, prose and impeccable characterization follows a fascinating plot to a haunting twist. I listen to this book every year, and with every listen I am astonished all over again!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Masterpiece

Beautiful story, sad ending. I’ve enjoyed the story of the complex characters and the journey they went through during WWII.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful

Slow start to a beautiful novel. The writing is exquisite and emotive,honest. This is one of the novels that pulls one into and submerges even into 1936 then end to war and beyond.So atmospheric that the reader seems to gradually age with the characters. Flawless narration completes the satisfying journey.

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