scott Thomson

My favourite author needs an editor. “Lessons” was sprawling, tedious and boring. The initial story of sexual abuse at the hands of an older woman had lots of potential but the fascinating ethical, moral and consequential aspects of the relationship was squandered on hundreds of pages of rather dull aspects of Roland's life. It was almost comically “British” at times when some personal potentially emotional experience was tied to some unremarkable trivia regarding UK politics. I suspect that McEwan did this deliberately to exaggerate a “stereotypical” British response to emotional situations, but it is a lame observation and becomes very tiresome. I have loved every book written by Mr.Ewan and it pains me to to be critical of someone who has such incredible talent but this one missed the mark by quite a bit. It ought to have been so much better.