Nutshell by Ian McEwan
An extremely cleverly written story, albeit a little strange at first, the principle on which Nutshell is founded is fantastic and highly original. Just days away from being born, the unlikely narrator of the novel is a nine month old foetus, whose curiosity means he has heard all manner of things, including a devastating plan hitched by his mother and her lover, his uncle.
By the end of the book, we are familiar with the temperaments, likes and dislikes of this foetus. McEwan has done a fantastic job in familiarising us with a squashed, fed up and frustrated but cultured and knowledgeable foetus. There are also times throughout this baby’s narrative when it is clear that he has not yet experienced much of the world, reminding us that he is indeed, only a foetus. This of course doesn’t mean that the foetus is likeable but it does mean that by the end of the novel, we know really feel that he is real. It also means that in many ways we empathise with him and his the unusual start he has in life.
It is an interesting and detailed character examination and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. The novel brings a different and fresh perspective on human behaviour, relationships, selfishness and betrayal. It is a highly recommended read and will leave you thinking about it for days afterwards.
Themes:
Love
Betrayal
Jealousy
Time
Selfishness
Weaknesses
Fear
Favourite quotes from the book (it was too hard to pick just one!):
“Memories are poor for past failures. Childhoods shine through adult skin, helpfully or not. So do the laws of inheritance that bind a personality. The lovers don’t know there’s no free will.”“Consent has rough edges.”
“What I fear is missing out. Healthy desire or mere greed, I want my life first, my due, my infinitesimal slice of endless time and one reliable chance of consciousness. I’m owed a handful of decades to try my luck on a freewheeling planet.”
“Revenge unstitches a civilisation.”
“If you’re stupid, how can you tell?”
About the author:
A highly respected British novelist and screenwriter, Ian McEwan’s work has won him several awards, such as The Man Booker Prize in the late 1990s for Amsterdam. Several of his works have also been adapted for the screen and made into successful films, such as Atonement.
Where to buy:
LittleWordNerd rating: 4.5 / 5
