Atonement by Ian McEwan read by Isla Blair

Christina Hardyment
Saturday 03 November 2001 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Having recently recommended Jenny Agutter's unabridged version of Dodie Smith's wonderful novel I Capture the Castle, about two sisters in search of romance real and written, I had a strong sense of déjà entendu when I listened to Atonement, Ian McEwan's story of the novelist as a young avenging angel. There are echoes too of L P Hartley's The Go-Between and Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse. But as always, McEwan's pastiche tribute emerges as a new-minted form. Having enjoyed every word of the book, I did regret the loss of some of the novel's telling details, but this is a first-class abridgement, and Isla Blair's reading illuminates and intensifies McEwan's words.

Best of the rest

The English, written and read by Jeremy Paxman, Penguin, abridged, 5hrs 45mins, £12.99. Disappointing book by a clever man who has got too much into the habit of carping. On audio, it has its amusing aspect: Paxman's typically over-sarcastic delivery effectively sends up his own opinions.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in