The Cement Garden 1 Star 
by Ian McEwan

I had to force myself to read it.

Unfortunately I don't have much to say about this one, which you can probably gather by the 1 star I've given it. I've seen through GoodReads that it's resonated with a lot of people, just not with me. 

I believe it's supposed to show the power of grief and the fragility of childhood and the child mind, as well as that of life itself. Honestly, I did pick up on those points, but not enough. I didn't feel that McEwan truly delved into or delivered on anything - for me my overall experience of the book was: weirdness.

 

I had to segment the book so I could manage it for a book club, it was that boring and uncomfortable for me. That instantly does not say, good book, if I had to force myself to read it.  But perhaps that second point was the purpose? Some have said it is.

 

But there are good descriptive passages and parts that had the shock or squeamish factor, so, good going there McEwan? He's such a popular writer that actually this hasn't put me off, I'm still determined to read Atonement at some point (Because of all the hype) and hopefully he can redeem himself there...

*Read this too? Agree/disagree? Let me know in the comments.

Thumbs up much appreciated. x