About this title: From the acclaimed author of "Atonement" comes a novel of remarkable depth and poignancy. Set in 1962, "On Chesil Beach" captures with understanding and compassion the innocence of a young newlywed couple at a time when marriage has been presumed to be the outward sign of maturity and independence.
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Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
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Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
Description: Good. This is an EX-LIBRARY COPY. We only offer carefully selected, quality books, in this category. The normal stamps and labels may be present and the front flysheet has been tidily removed. The supplying library will benefit financially from your purchase. This book is in GOOD overall condition. It shows signs of having been read and has general light wear to the cover, spine and pages. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
Description: Good. This book is in GOOD overall condition. It shows signs of having been read and has general light wear to the cover, spine and pages. read more
Description: Acceptable. Ships from the UK. Shows definite wear, and perhaps considerable marking on inside. Your purchase also supports literacy charities. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
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Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
Description: Fine. Stunning book this is immaculate Family business dispatching books to all over the world within 24/48 hours. Next day delivery and gist wrapping are available. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
Description: Very Good. Family business dispatching books to all over the world within 24/48 hours. Next day delivery and gist wrapping are available. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
Description: Good. All orders are dispatched from our UK warehouse within one working day. Established in 2004. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
Description: Good. All orders are dispatched from our UK warehouse within one working day. Established in 2004. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
Description: Good. All orders are dispatched from our UK warehouse within one working day. Established in 2004. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. read more
Description: Very Good. Very good condition paperback with no marks or inscriptions internally-some light edge wear and light creasing-you pay book price plus shipping quoted. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780099512790ISBN:0099512793
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
"The backstories of the two lovers interested me far more than the actual wedding night (as well as it should have since the lives of young people are really not that interesting, without dragging in their parents and sentimental educations). The ending is my favorite kind of ending, sad and cuts me off from feeling complete."
""On Chesil Beach" is a tight, tiny gem of a book. Almost a novella, the writing is so precise and evocative and meaningful that it takes virtually no time to read at all. I read "Atonement," also by Ian McEwan, a few years ago and enjoyed it very much; the same dark perspective on human relations and keen insight into behavior and the inner life is at work here. The book is "just" a study of a young couple's wedding night in England, 1962. We learn about bride and groom in turn, peering briefly but pointedly into each family, assembling just enough pieces to understand and appreciate the inevitability of the book's tragedy. The plot's not central here - though the final chapter I found as suspenseful and gripping as anything I've read recently - rather, the careful observations of two characters at an intersection in their lives, at a time of intersection and change in the world, create all the drama and tragedy one could ask for.
The power of language, naming, and words takes on huge importance in the book, and interestingly enough, that power is a force for good and ill, but mostly ill. So often the "power of language" takes on a heroic role in contemporary fiction (one would expect contemporary writers to place such an importance on their stock in trade), yet in "On Chesil Beach" most of the labels and names and many singular words have terrible consequences. Fascinating, surely, to see the power of language to destroy and damage instead of elevate and enlighten or redeem. In fairness, it is often the lack of appropriate words that bring about disaster: "...there existed no shared language in which two sane adults could describe such events to each other" (169-170). But at the same time, plenty of words, especially labels, do enormous harm in the course of the text.
Ultimately "On Chesil Beach" is an absolutely beautiful book: emotional, truthful, and as rigorous in its writing as poetry. Truly, no paragraph, sentence, or even word goes to waste. The meticulous descriptions of the main characters' interactions took me aback - I felt huge sympathy and sadness for Edward and Florence, and absolutely understood all their actions and missteps. These felt like utterly real people, in a completely real situation, saying and doing the things I could imagine myself doing and saying in just such a scenario. It was uncanny, flawless, and truly impressive."
"This is a novel written about a time not so long ago when private things were private. This novel also speaks of the differences between men and women and what is important and what isn't . It also speaks of opportunites lost, words and attitudes that should probably not be expressed and words and attitudes that are not shared and should have been. Poignant because of so many missed opportunites,this short novel will stay with you long after you finish reading."
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