A review by lindseyas
Atonement by Ian McEwan

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

What a gorgeous love story. While almost entirely framed as a subject of wartime and via the perspective of the scorned younger sister, the thematic value of romance amid distress remains paramount. With complicated characters and an even more complicated historical backdrop, the urgency of love, self-reflection and fairness becomes even more poignant. The beauty of true love overcoming all things, from injustice to violence to jealousy, may seem naive, but is always, always going to be one of the most powerful feelings in the entire world.