BOOK REVIEW: On Chesil Beach

ON CHESIL BEACH by Ian McEwan could only take place in the early 1960’s before the Sexual Revolution and could only have been written after enough time has passed for that era to be viewed objectively.

Edward and Florence are in the honeymoon suite in a cozy hotel on the Dorset coast of England. They had been married that morning and this is the first chance they have had to be alone. The sitting room is charming, the meal good, and, from where Florence is sitting, the bed is uncomfortably in her line of vision.

The meal and conversation become increasingly strained. As we read their private thoughts, we see how each is struggling with the fears of the night ahead. The sad part of their story is that they do love each other, but fear of the physical side of love will take them on a journey to a point of no return.

McEwan has crafted a story that shows his talent with words and mood. The problem for most readers today will be to understand the couple’s complete lack of openness. We are in part the result of the decade when we grew up. The difference between being a product of the 1950’s and that of being from the 1970’s or later is noteworthy and may make the point of this book less relevant for different generations.

McEwan has captured the style of writing of the early 1960’s British authors. It is formal and the words have elegance, but that causes a distance from the characters. That makes it difficult for the reader to identify with Edward or Florence. I felt sad for them, but also wanted to give them a good shaking. All they needed was the ability to communicate. It is important to remember how much harder it was to have open conversations about sex before the days of Woodstock.

I chose ON CHESIL BEACH because I wanted to try an Ian McEwan book and this looked as if it would be a fast read. As a result, I do not know if this is typical of his work. This will not go on a list of my favorite books, but I will try his more popular Atonement next time.