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What were your thoughts on Part Three? The book as a whole? Was it what you expected? Meet, fail or exceed your expectations?

This book failed my expectations exponentially, and thought the movie was so much better than the book in this case.

I thought that this book was exceptionally well-written. It was such a powerful story without being overstated. I am hoping someone can recommend to me other novels by this author.

In short the book failed my expectations.

I didn't like the book. I can't stand Briony. She is the most annoying character I've read. Honestly, I felt like it was a huge chore for me to read the book. I felt the book lacked so much and couldn't believe the adults in this book.

I also found it odd that Briony was so oblivious to anything romancing and sex, especially with an older sister. I know that during that time it was a sexual repressive society time but it was so illogical it drove me bonkers. Of course she would live to be and older lady with a family. Just put some salt on that wound.

I am with Jennifer. It is a cleverly written story. The book of a writer writing a book about the characters... The several POVs combine to slowly expose the entire plot. I will agree the main character is not very sympathetic. The final section whereby several alternatives endings for Robbie & Cecelia are mentioned is interesting and makes us think and imagine for ourselves.

An interesting read where the events of a single day define the many characters for their entire lives thereafter.

Finished this book and I am glad that I read it.
Third section is the place where Part 1 and 2 meets, questions answered. Wonderfully written story.

I agree totally with Mike and Jennifer, I share the similar thoughts.

My perspective is interesting on this one, because I tried to read it with you all two years ago, both on audio and DTB, and the farthest I got was about 30 pages in before abandoning it. It was just so tedious. But, I'd heard what a great story it was, so decided to watch the movie. I was frustrated with that because it took FOREVER to get to the action of it; while by the end I understood the importance of all that lead-up, while watching, it felt monotonous and pointless. The second half was great, however, and I loved the ending, with Briony admitting that she WANTED to make things right, but either didn't take her chance, or never got one. It's heartbreaking.

When I read the book this time, I settled in for a tedious beginning but my mindset was different, since I knew where the story was headed. As the story went along and I saw the pieces from the "God perspective" already knowing the outcome, they were much more intriguing to me, but I couldn't help but wonder if I would be getting any enjoyment out of it if I didn't already know? I didn't remember all the details of the second half, so that was more interesting to read. I finally came to the conclusion that I was glad I'd seen the movie first, but I did actually decide I liked the book after reading through it later. There are levels and depths of layers to the story that are brilliant.

I was actually amazed by McEwan's grasp of the flightiness of a young girl's imagination. I was nearly that bad as a child (short of completely turning someone into a sex addict in my mind without having facts!) I remember daydreams that were extremely detailed, and I LOVED the sections of Briony's pondering that everyone around her has just as detailed a life and thoughts of her own. Those young adult years are the first stages of that realization, and so important to later development. Unfortunately, she doesn't learn quickly enough to save Robbie....

One of the themes that I think could be easy to overlook about this book is that of the unreliability of witnesses. The fact that a man could go to jail on the word of one 13-year-old witness is astounding. Yes, we need to not doubt the victim, but we also need to make sure we have darn good evidence to convict someone to make sure they aren't falsely charged! My ex husband used to work with kids with mental health issues, and the agency he worked for had to make sure to take measures to protect their male workers and assure that they were never alone with young females, partly for the sake of the girls, of course, but partly because there have been countless lives ruined because a spiteful teenage girl made an accusation because she didn't get something she wanted, and a charge stays on a man's record long after an incident, whether it happened or not. Victimization can go both ways. The whole bit about Briony not feeling like she could retract the statement after awhile, because too many adults would be disappointed, is not something that should be taken lightly. That's an extremely important issue.

I think it was brilliant that he essentially gave two different possible endings for the story. One, Briony gets to reconcile with her sister and Robbie, and give them the life they should have had. But the agony there is that they don't forgive her anyway, and think of how much of their OWN lives they destroy in not forgiving! But the tragedy of the "true" ending Briony's not knowing whether they WOULD have forgiven her or not....because she never got the chance to try to make it right and find out. Very much true life.

I see I liked this story even more than I thought I did :)