Down on Chesile Beach (On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan)

Member Name: blackviolets

Product:	On Chesil Beach - Ian McEwan
Date:	20/05/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: interesting story.

Disadvantages: n.a

On Chesil Beach is not something I'd usually read. It was more of a rash decision choice. However, the odd thing about it was that I did actually enjoy the book. Despite the fact that it's completely off of my radar.

The book is set in 1962, Edward Mayhew and Florence Ponting are a young couple, about to embark on a lifetime together after they had just gotten married. Now with anticipation comes the wedding night. It's one of those marriages where both come from completely different backgrounds.

Florence is the daughter of a wealthy industrialist. I get the impression that her Dad isn't altogether that fond of her and is seemingly not bothered when she announces the engagement. Then there's Edward. the son of a schoolmaster and a brain-damaged woman.

Despite the fact that they love eachother very much, Edward is unware about the issue which Florence has towards sex. Something which we are considerably made well aware of during the course of the night. Her disgust at it and the way we read about her views on the matter in hand did make me smile a bit. It was interesting reading about it as in todays day and age, the subject and her ideas don't come up very often.

The book is split into 5 parts. The first based in the Honeymoon suite at the hotel, showing the awkwardness between the two of them. Connecting with what is expected to occur. The second takes flashbacks from both of their lives and then the third returns to the Honeymoon, where it seems as though progress has been made until something frightens Florence and she flees. The fourth describes more about what their personalities are like and how their situation had developed. Then you come to the conclusion. One I think, which is pretty obvious but it nicely fits in.

On reading the first page some might think that this book is more or less set on the activity which is to happen. They are likely to be disappointed as it is more to do with psychiatry than anything else.

This is a nice little read and can quickly be digested. It's interesting as well because you get a glimpse into what the 1950s' way of living was like. I would recommend this book for anybody who wants something a bit different from the usual type of novels that are about.

Summary: .