Saturday
Unfortunately for those of my friends who favor music over literature, this post is not about the Fall Out Boy song (or even the Carpenters' one from the bell bottom days) but rather a review of Ian McEwan's novel, SATURDAY.
This book was in some ways a good choice as a follow up for THE ROAD, the previous "major" book I had read. They contrast one another quite well: THE ROAD is a tale set in a post apocalyptic near future, where the world has been ravaged and all hope seems lost, following a father and son over the course of many weeks as they make a journey fraught with all kinds of peril and danger. They have to battle against the very worst man has to offer: too often on their journey they encounter cannibalistic marauders, twisted by the horrid world around them, who had no compassion or mercy or love within them.
SATURDAY, on the other hand, rather than being set in an abstract near future is set on a specific day in the recent past (Feb 13 2003, to be exact, as the events of the Iraq War Protests in London are set as a backdrop). The events are told within a 24 hour period. There are ruffians (a man named Baxter and his friends) but rather than be the product of a environment gone mad, Baxter is very much the result of a genetic defect (Huntington's Disease).
The book is about a neurosurgeon living in London. There is not a lot of action to the story, but a lot of introspective feelings and such. The good doctor is relaxing on a Saturday, looking forward to seeing his grown children that day, looking forward to a game of squash with a friend, and reflecting on how madly in love with his wife he is and always will be.
This book is largely a "take a step back and appreciate your life" kind of work. Perhaps the impact would have been lessened with me if I hadn't kept thinking back to THE ROAD, where a father and son treated a lost can of beans like a thanksgiving banquet.
The doctor talks about his work a lot, and I found all that stuff fascinating. I also delighted in exchanges the main character had from time to time (particularly with his daughter) about the then impending Iraq War. The British view on the subject was refreshing (from both sides). It reminded me that some time here soon, with the 5th anniversary of the invasion coming up, that I really need to put down in writing my thoughts about the whole matter.
All in all, I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.
This book was in some ways a good choice as a follow up for THE ROAD, the previous "major" book I had read. They contrast one another quite well: THE ROAD is a tale set in a post apocalyptic near future, where the world has been ravaged and all hope seems lost, following a father and son over the course of many weeks as they make a journey fraught with all kinds of peril and danger. They have to battle against the very worst man has to offer: too often on their journey they encounter cannibalistic marauders, twisted by the horrid world around them, who had no compassion or mercy or love within them.
SATURDAY, on the other hand, rather than being set in an abstract near future is set on a specific day in the recent past (Feb 13 2003, to be exact, as the events of the Iraq War Protests in London are set as a backdrop). The events are told within a 24 hour period. There are ruffians (a man named Baxter and his friends) but rather than be the product of a environment gone mad, Baxter is very much the result of a genetic defect (Huntington's Disease).
The book is about a neurosurgeon living in London. There is not a lot of action to the story, but a lot of introspective feelings and such. The good doctor is relaxing on a Saturday, looking forward to seeing his grown children that day, looking forward to a game of squash with a friend, and reflecting on how madly in love with his wife he is and always will be.
This book is largely a "take a step back and appreciate your life" kind of work. Perhaps the impact would have been lessened with me if I hadn't kept thinking back to THE ROAD, where a father and son treated a lost can of beans like a thanksgiving banquet.
The doctor talks about his work a lot, and I found all that stuff fascinating. I also delighted in exchanges the main character had from time to time (particularly with his daughter) about the then impending Iraq War. The British view on the subject was refreshing (from both sides). It reminded me that some time here soon, with the 5th anniversary of the invasion coming up, that I really need to put down in writing my thoughts about the whole matter.
All in all, I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.