I had high hopes for On Chesil Beach since Ian McEwanās Atonement is among my favorite books. This is definitely not as masterfully memorable as Atonement, which is more high concept, but Iām very impressed at McEwanās bravery in approaching this subject matter. And the delicacy in which he approached it. Has anyone else ever undertaken this subject, or done it as successfully? (Thatās a genuine question; I donāt know.)
The novel is about the marriage night of a young couple, both virgins: Florence, who is terribly afraid of physical intimacy, and Edward, who respects Florenceās wish to wait till marriage, but who lusts after her and canāt wait to have sex with his new bride. The short novel almost entirely takes place over the course of that one night, but with flashbacks and interludes to both their childhoods, how they met, and their relatively short premarital relationship.Ā
Not writing from the viewpoints of both Florence and Edward would have been a mistake, as McEwan was obviously aware, but Florenceās was definitely the most riveting and the most groundbreaking. Both Edward and Florence had backgrounds that promoted avoidance of harsh, uncomfortable subjects, which definitely impacted the success of their relationship.Ā
McEwan’s prose was masterful here as well, every word intentional to create the perfect atmosphere, to fully delve into the minds of two very different people. Everything was a subtle and quiet lead up in tension to the climactic last chapter, which was absolutely my favorite part of the novel.Ā
This book defies cliches, it explores uncomfortable topics with care, and offers an intimate look inside characters that literature doesnāt often explore. Definitely a book I want to revisit at various points in my life.Ā
