I always felt that McEwan was, 1), cheerless, and, 2), out of touch with the real world. There was a rash of stories like that from the sixties to the eighties, about people having sex or strange kinds of contact with each other and coming to strange ends or conclusions, and nobody seemed to be very clear who these people were, where they came from, how they earned a living, and how they had become what they were. All the things which I, as a writer, like to keep an eye on.
So is there any author out there you HAVEN'T read, dammit? But at least you're encouraging me to read more in order to catch up!
This particular book of McEwan's seemed in touch with many details of the real world and a good deal of intimate relationships, but I'm still not quite convinced as to why the normal couple couldn't stop visiting the sadistic couple. The conclusion was clearer than I expected, and at least McEwan did give some explanation as to why the abnormal couple were the way they were.
Did you read Amsterdam? I'm going to read that one soon, as I heard it was one of his best.
I am no fan, so, no, I haven't read it. And believe me, I read rather less than you imagine.
[in a very small voice]...I haven't even read WAR AND PEACE yet...
It's just that MacEwan is one of those writers, like Martin Amis or FAy Weldon, that you cannot quite avoid as long as you are in Britain. Who are the American equivalents? Pynchon, DeLillo, Capote?
I'm no fan either, but I think I'll read it anyway. I want to know what these Booker prize books are all about.
And War and Peace? Pff. I think you guys have a bigger culture of reading in Britain there, because I wouldn't expect even intellectuals to have read it. That book is HUGE.
Thanks, I've only heard of one of the Americans you named. I hate you. Now I have to put them on my list.
Oh, and from your earlier comment, What have you read that's by McEwan? Also what is it about McEwan that makes you feel he's out of touch with the real world?
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This particular book of McEwan's seemed in touch with many details of the real world and a good deal of intimate relationships, but I'm still not quite convinced as to why the normal couple couldn't stop visiting the sadistic couple. The conclusion was clearer than I expected, and at least McEwan did give some explanation as to why the abnormal couple were the way they were.
Did you read Amsterdam? I'm going to read that one soon, as I heard it was one of his best.
Reply
[in a very small voice]...I haven't even read WAR AND PEACE yet...
It's just that MacEwan is one of those writers, like Martin Amis or FAy Weldon, that you cannot quite avoid as long as you are in Britain. Who are the American equivalents? Pynchon, DeLillo, Capote?
Reply
And War and Peace? Pff. I think you guys have a bigger culture of reading in Britain there, because I wouldn't expect even intellectuals to have read it. That book is HUGE.
Thanks, I've only heard of one of the Americans you named. I hate you. Now I have to put them on my list.
Oh, and from your earlier comment, What have you read that's by McEwan? Also what is it about McEwan that makes you feel he's out of touch with the real world?
Reply
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