“Brilliant” is the word I would use to describe Ian McEwan’s novel, Amsterdam, which won the Booker Prize in 1998.
A master of shocking revelations and plot twists, McEwan has managed to turn a 178 page novel into a dark tale of morals, and vengeance.
The two main characters of this novel are Clive, a famous modern composer, and Vernon, an editor of a national broadsheet – two former lovers of Molly Lane, a character who dies at the beginning of this novel.
Due to Molly’s sudden death, Clive and Vernon enter into a strange agreement with each other – one that will later play an important role in their lives.
The story centers on the lives of the two self-important, self-aggrandizing characters, each thinking that he is more morally upright than the other. Their immense sense of self-worth, morality, and loyalty to each other will push them to make decisions with shocking results.
Though short, Amsterdam is a very engrossing read. It starts out slow, giving the readers a feel for the different characters. The slow start will give way to more intriguing developments midway in the novel, then build up to a deliciously shocking denouement.
Toward the end of the novel, I wanted to close the book to prevent the inevitable from happening, but at the same time, rush to the final chapters to learn the outcome.
Amsterdam is a book you can read in one sitting – in fact, it’s a book that demands to be read in one sitting. It will grip you, and hold, and in the end will leave you speechless.
***
Amsterdam – Ian McEwan (1998)
Vintage, (2005) – 178 pages
Personal Rating: 4/5
You’ve just motivated me to bump this to the top of my TBR. I’ve been meaning to delve in for a while.
Yes, do read it. It’s very good. Plus, it’s pretty short, and you can probably finish it in a few hours.
I could use a quality quickie after Clash of Kings and 1Q84 back-to-back.
Yes, but, though short, don’t be fooled, Amsterdam is a bit…heavy, if you know what I mean. It’s a quick read, but the subject/plot is complex. But it’s still enjoyable 🙂