Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan


Hardback:  320 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publisher:  Jonathan Cape 2012

Source: Tywyn Public Library  
First Sentence: 'My name is Serena Frome (rhymes with plume) and almost forty years ago I was sent on a secret mission for the British security service.'

Favourite Quote: “I turned the pages so fast. And I suppose I was, in my mindless way, looking for a something, version of myself, a heroine I could slip inside as one might a pair of favourite shoes.” 
Review Quote: What you see is not what you get, and the twist at the end reminds us of how many of this author's works confound readers imaginations... A well-crafted pleasure to read, its smooth prose and slippery intelligence sliding down like cream. (Amanda Craig Independent )
My Opinion: What a great read.


What a great read Ian McEwan's latest novel is, spies and love set in a time of political turmoil in the early seventies. A period I was able to empathise well with as I was working myself during the three day week. From the first page you know the outcome of the story, but there is still a secret to be discovered,  McEwan is uses his characters brilliantly in this novel to tell us just how MI5 prompted the cultural cold war.


'Sweet Tooth' is narrated by the female heroine of the novel  Serena Frome, the daughter of an Anglican bishop, who during her final year at Cambridge studying for a maths degree, has an affair with an older man.  Not such an unusual occurrence but she later discovers that thanks to her lover she was being groomed for a career in the intelligence services, her intelligence and beauty making her the perfect spy!  The world is divided by 'The Cold War' and the government of the time wants to give financial but secret aid to promising young writers that will boost the anti - communist propaganda. 
Serena as an avid reader is seen as the perfect choice to be sent on a secret mission, code named 'Sweet Tooth' to infiltrate herself into the literary circle of a promising young writer, Tom Haley. Her task is to gauge his suitability for such financial aid. Serena discovers that at first she loves Tom's writing and of course approves him, however she had not reckoned on falling in love with him.  What will she do, whom can she trust and will she be able to keep her secret life from the man she has fallen for?  

Once again another brilliant novel from Ian McEwan, a clever and ingenious story with plenty of intrigue, that will satisfy his fans  and maybe attract new ones. Do give it a try.



Sweet Tooth - Reading - Ian McEwan


       Ian McEwan introduces Sweet Tooth



My previous reviews for  Amsterdam,   AtonementOn Chesil Beach,  Saturday and The Cement Garden were written for Bookcrossing  before this Book Review blog was in existence. 

Author Profile

Photo Credit: Annalena McAfee

Ian McEwan was born on 21 June 1948 in Aldershot, England. He studied at the University of Sussex, where he received a BA degree in English Literature in 1970. He received his MA degree in English Literature at the University of East Anglia.

McEwan's works have earned him worldwide critical acclaim. He won the Somerset Maugham Award in 1976 for his first collection of short stories First Love, Last Rites; the Whitbread Novel Award (1987) and the Prix Fémina Etranger (1993) for The Child in Time; and Germany's Shakespeare Prize in 1999. He has been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction numerous times, winning the award for Amsterdam in 1998. His novel Atonement received the WH Smith Literary Award (2002), National Book Critics' Circle Fiction Award (2003), Los Angeles Times Prize for Fiction (2003), and the Santiago Prize for the European Novel (2004). He was awarded a CBE in 2000. In 2006, he won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his novel Saturday and his novel On Chesil Beach was named Galaxy Book of the Year at the 2008 British Book Awards where McEwan was also named Reader's Digest Author of the Year.

McEwan lives in London and is currently writing a new novel. His most recently published work is For You, a libretto.


Photo and Biographical Information is with thanks to the following sites where you can also find out more about the author and his writing. 



16 comments:

  1. Good review, LindyLou. I read Ian McEwan years ago, but this might get me back to reading his work. We live in Farnham, so was surprised to learn he was from Aldershot; just down the road. Love a good mystery and your review intrigues! I like the fact you have included videos of him reading.

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    1. Thanks very much Kathleen, I am so pleased that I might have tempted you to read his work again. Do let me know if you read this one what you think. I am from Dorking originally not that far from Farnham which I do know.

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  2. I just finished one of his books and it left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't know if I'm up for trying another one yet, but your review is great!

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    1. I am sorry to hear this which one was it Melissa?

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  3. I love the coverpage! It is subtle and beautiful. Portrays the story.

    I think the ital and the font goes with the well-written review. Would like to know why you chose to style the text in "Italics" though.

    Will check the videos too.

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    1. Diventia, you are right about the cover and the text ended up in italics this time as a result of me experimenting. I hope the find the videos interesting, I did.

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  4. Sounds really good Linda. I haven't yet read an Ian McEwan book, perhaps I can start by seeking out a copy of this book.

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    1. A good idea Cathy I think you would find this one enjoyable, do let me know.

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  5. Even though his books sometimes leave me feeling uncomfortable (as I'm sure they are meant to), I really love McEwan's writing. Will add his latest to my wish list. Thanks for the review!

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    1. I know what you mean JoAnn although this one certainly did not make me feel that, one of my favourites from him in fact.

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  6. I wasn't sure about this one (not sure why!) but your review has made me really want to read it, thanks! It sounds a great story. I loved On Chesil Beach by this author.

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    1. I am pleased Lindsay as this is as good as On Chesil Beach if not better.

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  7. Oh yes I like the sound of this Linda! I do hope your husband is making some progress? Thank you for popping in, it was very good of you. So glad you liked the photos. Much love to you, Linda x

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    1. Thanks Linda, do let me know what you think of this if you decide to read it. :)

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  8. :D I'm adding this one to my wish list. It sounds intriguing, and I love books with strong, intelligent female protagonists.

    I hope your husband is feeling better. I wanted to let you know that I finally updated my profile, etc. on Good Reads. YAY!!!

    xo,
    RJ

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  9. This is a well researched history of the MI5 and MI6 in the 1970's and was an enjoyable read. The ending keeps one guessing but on the whole I found it slightly disappointing for an Ian McEwan book.

    Cath Brookes (Best Software Downloads)

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