Ian McEwan is one of the representatives of modern British prose. For the novel "Amsterdam" this author was awarded the prestigious Booker Prize. However, among the works that Ian McEwan wrote, Atonement holds a special position. This novel not only differs from others in style and content, but also touches on deep psychological problems. The plot of the book covers a huge time period. And although Ian McEwan was not awarded a single literary prize for the creation of this work, it gained immense popularity among readers and was filmed.
Author Biography
Ian McEwan is the son of a Scottish officer, born in 1948. The early years of the writer are associated with constant moving. He was born in one of the inconspicuous military towns, spent several years in East Asia, North Africa, then Germany. The future writer was twelve when his parents finally settled in England.
In 1971, Ian McEwan received a master's degree. His interest in modern English and American prose nevertheless appeared much earlier. At the University of East Anglia, McEwan was one of the few students to attend the creative writing course taught by prominent 20th-century classics M. Bradbury and E. Wilson.
Four years after graduating with a master's degree, Ian McEwan published his first compilation. In it, among others, was a story written as a student. These works brought the young writer recognition of critics and writers.
“Between the Downed Sheets”
Less than two years after the first success in the literary field, McEwan managed to publish a second collection of short stories. But after the publication of “Between the Downed Sheets,” which was the name of the new book by the British author, the novel was published, which served as an occasion for scandal. The writer was accused of plagiarism. Criticism pointed to the similarity of the works of McEwan with the work of Julian Gloag. However, at the official level, the critics failed to accuse the writer of using someone else's creative work.
In 1980, a new scandal erupted in British literary circles. Ian McEwan became his center again
Books
The reason for numerous critical and aggressive articles this time was the play "Stereometry". In this dramatic work, McEwan laid out the life story of a man who has kept the male genital organ for many years. And in order to keep the amputated member in proper form, the hero of the play placed it in a special chemical solution. The central British television channel refused to stage a scandalous work. However, this fact by no means had a negative impact on the writer’s popularity.
For ten years, McEwan wrote mostly screenplays for film and television. There was prose. Among the works created by the writer in the eighties, there are the following:
- "Plowman's dinner";
- "Imitation";
- "Last day of summer";
- "Comforting Strangers."
"On the shore"
The book (Ian McEwan dedicated it to pressing social issues) is written in a unique style. There are no unnecessary characters in the novel, which the authors usually introduce to create the background. The action takes place around two heroes.
“On the Shore” is a novel dedicated to the history of two people whose fates were destroyed. However, this destruction is hardly perceptible, and rather resembles imaginary happiness. Only from the height of the past years does a person acquire the ability to evaluate his actions, to realize the errors that he was guided by in his actions for many years.
The irreversibility of time is one of the main themes in McEwan's novels. After reading one of the later works of this author, the reader begins to think about what is important in life and what is secondary. The hero of the novel “On the Shore” misses his happiness solely under the influence of prejudice, which fade into the background many years later. And alas, it's too late.
In the XXI century, in the writer's works, complex epic works came to the fore. With the publication of one of his deepest novels, Ian McEwan began a new period in his writing career.
"Redemption"
The book was published in 2001. A number of important issues that modern authors prefer to avoid, in the novel "Atonement" was covered in a new unusual perspective. This is a misunderstanding between generations, and the monstrous consequences of wars, and many social problems that are familiar to any society. But the main theme in McEwan’s book is retribution. The reckoning for a mistake that could cost a life, and which may never be redeemed.
In the literary world, McEwan is a recognized master of sentimental prose. He won the Booker Prize only once. However, his track record has other, albeit less prestigious, awards. The novels of the British writer have repeatedly inspired filmmakers. Several films were shot based on his works. And the painting “Atonement”, unlike the original source, received many awards. At the annual Academy Award, the film version of Ian McEwan was presented in seven categories.