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Kim
Rating:
Review
I was less than impressed with this book in comparison to other works by this author. Set in England before the millennium, this novel begins with the funeral of Molly Lane, and in attendance amongst her husband and family are three of her former lovers. Clive Linley is a famous composer, Vernon Halliday is a newspaper editor and Julian Garmony is the Foreign Secretary, and I found not one of them likable in the least. These men’s lives collide throughout the entire book, which could be fun and exciting, but no. There are plenty of boring parts about Clive’s music composition, Vernon’s many meetings and Julian’s, uh, well, secret. I did appreciate how well-written it was, and I liked the ending, but I thought it was such a shame I had to read 180 pages to get to it. I think Mr. McEwan’s Atonement is a better read.
Best Line:
“These types – novelists were by far the worst – managed to convince friends and families that not only their working hours but every nap and stroll, every fit of silence, depression, or drunkenness, bore the exculpatory ticket of high intent.”
Suzanne
Rating:
Review
The characters in Amsterdam are a bit unlikeable - not enough to make me dislike the book, just enough to make them interesting. Mainly this is the story of Vernon and Clive, two friends who live in the British public eye and are very much aware of it and a bit full of themselves. Vernon is the editor of a newspaper, Clive is a famous composer, and both are ex-lovers of the recently deceased Molly Lane. Molly’s fast and horrifying descent into a nearly brain-dead state during the prime of her life incites a promise between them not to let this happen to each other. From there the tale shrewdly spirals through scandal, outrage, and revenge toward the conclusion of their pact. Entertaining, satisfying, and a quick read at 193 pages.
Best Line:
“There wasn’t really much else to do. Make something, and die.”
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