Ian McEwan: The Children Act

I am clearly on something of a roll in reading novellas! This is McEwan at his best..not a superfluous word, a surprisingly powerful and complex plot with magnificent almost jaw-dropping revelations and written with a wonderful understanding of humanity and relationships. Peter Harding have you read this? Gayle Berger tagging you I hope, so that Peter sees this.

The novella really has two main plot strands...the ostensible subject of the title and the young person whom it concerns but equally important and wonderfully observed, the thoughts and analysis of the central character, a High Court judge. It's fascinating how M connects her life and roles, her relationships in such depth yet in such a small space. And as with Atonement, very small actions can have enormous consequences but this seems utterly true and genuine, not something done for over-dramatic effect. Because of the discrepancy between the size of the act and the actual real-life consequences both become more real and powerful and illuminating.

Again the plot is very rich with a jaw dropping 'twist' at the end...although that is a far too superficial word. 'Development' might be better. And as with the Barnes there's a terrible sense of how small actions can have enormous unseen consequences and those consequences cannot be undone.

Wonderfully powerful and to be devoured in one sitting if at all possible.