Saturday, Ian McEwan

having read Enduring Love and Atonment I already knew i enjoyed his style, however this book was magnificent and the best read so far ( though i have Amsterdam on my shelf waiting in line).
Briefly it centres around Perowne (a surgeon) and his family and traces the detail of his day from his early morning waking to his squash game and preparations for a family dinner. An incident in that day creates the pace and climax in the stroy, but really that is only part of the book. it is McEwan's ability to describe the mundane aspects of everyday life that is so excellently done. the social backdrop is a march for Peace, and the whole day is understood against this back drop.

I found it a little slow to begin with, but then the story had me hooked. His characterisations are very truthful and his portrayal of family life painfully accurate. There is a sense of pointlessness and emptiness that runs through the novel and really i think it catches the current mood in the Western world. There were times in the book where i was nodding in recognition. I as i raced to then end i was left with a satisfied feeling, and different perspective. Highly recommended.

Juliet