This is a short novel of 166 pages that covers one night in Edward’s and Florence’s life – their wedding night which goes disastrously. Through flashbacks, we relive their courtship days leading up to their engagement, wedding and wedding night. Both Edward and Florence come to their marriage as virgins, the difference between the two being that Edward is very much looking forward to becoming intimate with Florence while as Florence is dreading the thought of having to be intimate with Edward.
I have read two other books by Ian McEwan; Atonement which I enjoyed very much and Amsterdam which I did not enjoy at all. I am placing On Chesil Beach somewhere in the middle of these two books with respect to my enjoyment factor.
On Chesil Beach has been made into a movie which is out in theatres now and I suspect that this will be one of those rare books where although I enjoyed the book, I believe I will enjoy the movie more.
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