On Chesil Beach

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


'She wanted to be in love and be herself. But to be herself, she had to say no all the time. And then she was no longer herself.'


This book took place on the wedding night of Florence and Edward in the early 60's. The story line meanders back into their past and brings it all the way forward to present time. The whole of the book is the wedding night of a very naive British couple, struggling for understanding of how sex completes love--or not.

It is a well written book but not an uplifting one. The whole book is serious and melancholy. A difficult read and worth the time.

The ending was both satisfying and dissatisfying to me. I know the rest of the life of Edward and would like to know Florence's side of it.

Recommended if you like serious story lines in literature. It is a short book, and thought provoking.