*Spoiler Alert
Atonement is a poignant story of love, loss, hope, remorse and salvation by the master storyteller Ian McEwan. Set in early 20th century England, it is the story of three childhood friends, now teenagers, coming together in their family home for a vacation.
Through a serendipitous turn of events, Cecelia and Robbie discover their love for each other. Their passionate lovemaking is witnessed by Cecelia’s dreamy little sister – Briony. In an unfortunate turn of events, the thirteen-year-old Briony ends up proclaiming Robbie as the perpetrator of a family crime. Robbie is sentenced. Cecelia is heartbroken.
Years pass by. Robbie joins the British forces in World War. Cecelia having broken all family ties, becomes a nurse. Briony who is a grown-up girl now is haunted by the guilt of her mistake and the toll that it took on the lives of her sister and Robbie. She tries her best to make amends. Finally, Cecelia and Robbie are united. Albeit for a short time. Robbie dies in war and Cecilia becomes a victim of a bomb explosion. Briony spends the rest of her life in atonement.
The book is a beautiful narration of the trials and upheavals that these young people go through. It is a story of their grit, determination and resilience. The undercurrent of simmering emotions keeps the reader thoroughly involved throughout the book. The characters are crafted with finesse. The transformation of Cecelia from a free-spirited spoilt brat to a hard-working bourgeoisie is a masterpiece. So is the evolution of Robbie Turner from a fatherless boy aspiring to become a doctor to a reluctant soldier waiting to be united with his lover. This book is a joy for the lovers of stories!
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