Amsterdam
9 journalers for this copy...
Bought in a charity shop. In good condition.
This is a well written book that throws up a lot of issues about morality and the basis of friendship. Should an artist allow himself /herself to be blinded to reality in order to create their art? Should politicians with a taste for cross dressing be exposed? How far should friends be prepared to trust each other? forgive each other? Though this is billed as a book full of surprises I had guessed the ending by about page 10 so it didn't work in that sense but I still enjoyed it.
This is a well written book that throws up a lot of issues about morality and the basis of friendship. Should an artist allow himself /herself to be blinded to reality in order to create their art? Should politicians with a taste for cross dressing be exposed? How far should friends be prepared to trust each other? forgive each other? Though this is billed as a book full of surprises I had guessed the ending by about page 10 so it didn't work in that sense but I still enjoyed it.
Having read and enjpyed Enduring Love, I looked forward to this, but I have to say I was disappointed. Whereas Enduring love was credible and one came to like the characters, even the stalker, I never liked any of these people, and found the whole thing so contrived as to be pointless. I never believed in Clive as a great composer, or Vernon as a great editor, and certainly not Molly as a great lover. Still perhaps I'm feeling jaundiced. I'll wild-release it as soon as I can
Just caught at the Edinburgh meetup. I've been meaning to read this ever since it was published. I read some other of McEwan's books years ago, and this one has popped up in so many bookshops I've been in that it must be good!
I sadly didn't enjoy this as much as I hoped I would, though that's not to say this is bad book. Far from it, 'Amsterdam' was extremely readable and did capture my imagination to an extent. The problem was that everything was so exagerated and done to caricature. You have the self-engrossed composer, the wily politician and the hard-nosed journalist who's not afraid to get his hands dirty. So what's new?
Thanks to sarahsally for passing it on.
Thanks to sarahsally for passing it on.
Journal Entry 5 by bookfrogster from Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, August 13, 2005
Caught at the Edinburhg meet up and read already as this is the first time I've had a chance to get to the internet cafe. I really enjoyed the sly humour of this book. The characters were all very unpleasant in their own way, but that was the whole point. Think I'll save to release at the Edinburgh Book Festival mini-meet.
Journal Entry 6 by bookfrogster at Namaste Indian Restaurant in Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom on Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (8/17/2005 UTC) at Namaste Indian Restaurant in Edinburgh, Scotland United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Handed over to Biber during the Edinburgh micro-meet of me, rainbow3, Yowlyy and Biber. Very nice to meet you. Happy reading!
Handed over to Biber during the Edinburgh micro-meet of me, rainbow3, Yowlyy and Biber. Very nice to meet you. Happy reading!
I was pleasantly surprised to get this from a nice lady at the Namaste Indian Restaurant/Edinburgh :))
I'll (hopefully!) read it by the end of the year...
I'll (hopefully!) read it by the end of the year...
This book was passed on to me by biber last week, during my stay in Germany (more work!). I was hoping to finish it in time to be able to release it at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, but despite the fact that my flight was delayed, my plan did not succeed. Anyway, it is a good short story and my first encounter with Ian McEwan's writing. There's something quintessential english in the way that the protagonists interact, don't you think?
Released 15 yrs ago (11/25/2008 UTC) at Anstey, Leicestershire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
In the mail to fulfil a wish... happy reading!
In the mail to fulfil a wish... happy reading!
Journal Entry 10 by raeliz64 from Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, December 11, 2008
An unexpected RABCK, what a wonderful start to the day! Thank you so much.
Journal Entry 11 by raeliz64 at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Well I can't say I enjoyed this very much! As this is Ian McEwan it goes without saying that the book is well written, but I found the characters unpleasant and the plot unbelievable.
Journal Entry 12 by raeliz64 at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, February 14, 2011
Going into yorkshire-lass's Mixed Book Box.
Journal Entry 13 by Diane-Fraser at Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Arrived in the mixed bookbox today.
Journal Entry 14 by Diane-Fraser at Alcossebre - Apartamentos Jardines del Puerto in Alcalà de Xivert, Castelló/Castellón Spain on Monday, June 13, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (6/13/2011 UTC) at Alcossebre - Apartamentos Jardines del Puerto in Alcalà de Xivert, Castelló/Castellón Spain
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Finished this book whilst on holiday. Left on the shelf for any future guests.
Comes in handy for the 2011 travel challenge
This book was ok, short novel , loved the bits about the Lake District. Strange ending.
Will try another of his books as the reviews prior to mine do recommend him.
Comes in handy for the 2011 travel challenge
This book was ok, short novel , loved the bits about the Lake District. Strange ending.
Will try another of his books as the reviews prior to mine do recommend him.
Journal Entry 15 by Diane-Fraser at Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Sunday, May 20, 2012
still on the shelf so brofught back to England to try and get it travelling again
Reserved for one word challenge in August
ETA - missed the above and added to my first ever VBB as a host
Reserved for one word challenge in August
ETA - missed the above and added to my first ever VBB as a host
Journal Entry 16 by Diane-Fraser at Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Monday, October 15, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (10/16/2012 UTC) at Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Picked from the International Shrinking Virtual Book Box by Elskaliam.
Enjoy :)
Enjoy :)
Thank you very much!