Reviews

Not McEwan's best, but a good early work and wonderfully dark. Interesting to compare it with Atonement and Saturday and see how much he's developed as writer/thinker.

b_n_z's review against another edition

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challenging dark medium-paced

4.0

sidharthvardhan's review against another edition

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4.0

Children lack self-control and will give into their worst instincts when given free reign - that is the theme of the story. The Cement Garden is the modern Garden of Eden where almost everything goes. It is also too easy to add Freudician explanations of the story. The only downside, for me, was that it was a little too short for me and lacked the vibrancy it probably should have,

goblinhearted's review against another edition

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3.0

What a strange little book with an interesting sociological premise: how would kids in the 1970s spend their days after their last-living parent dies (and where would they hide the body?) I wasn't sure what to expect. I liked it well enough but it also didn't particularly stick with me, nor would I go out of my way to recommend it. All of that to say, it was an okay read!

stephh's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

franklyfrank's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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