On Chesil Beach (2007) is Ian McEwan's latest novel. It is a short novel largely devoted to Edward and Florence's wedding night in the early 1960s. Through a series of analepsises (flashbacks) and the use of stream of consciousness, we soon understand the importance of that night for a couple of newlyweds who are only 22 y/o at that time. He, a recent history graduate from a rural background; she, a promising violinist from a typically academic and politically conservative Oxford environment.
Britain in the early 1960s was still a country pretty much sexually repressive were most youths would arrive to marriage being very naive about sex. McEwan takes us back to that time brilliantly. Even the likes of me who were born at a much later date very soon into the novel begin to understand what these two characters are going through that night.
Tragedy strikes when Edward comes too quickly and Florence - feeling guilty - runs off to the beach. What ensues is an argument in which she declares herself frigid and even suggests that they should have a sexless marriage. She even says that she would be happy for him to procure sex elsewhere. He finds the idea unbearable and that night they part for good.
On the last few pages we follow Edward's life as a singleton throughout the years and can even guess a certain regret at not having accepted Florence's offer.
Another doubtless triumph by Ian McEwan.
Other books I have read by the same author: The Cement Garden, The Child In Time, Enduring Love, Amsterdam, Saturday and Atonement.
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