Ian McEwan
1997
Around 250 pages
I love novels that start out with one very dramatic event, and the rest of the novel is dedicated to the fall out. And the master of this technique is Ian McEwan, who remains one of my favorite writers. If I give this four stars, it's only because it's not quite up to the level of other McEwan works, but he's still always on form no matter what.
Joe Rose is enjoying a picnic with his partner Clarissa, when they see a hot air balloon with a ten-year-old trapped inside, and the boy's grandfather being dragged along. Joe joins other men in the rescue attempt, which costs somebody their life. One of the other men becomes obsessed with Joe, because life is a nightmare, and looking at the wrong person once can mean you have lifelong stalker.
I have been on a hot air balloon, and it does feel like you are one light breeze away from total annihilation. This is a fascinating topic and McEwan understands character so well that he can craft a compelling narrative out of the most mundane events. It's no surprise that this is an exciting and well-paced novel.
This wasn't as emotional as A Child in Time, thank the heavens, but was still a moving read. Highly recommended.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Interesting Facts:
Adapted to film in 2004.
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