Synopsis
A brilliant, emotionally wrenching new novel from the author of Atonement and Amsterdam. Soon to be a major new film adaptation.
All this sorrow had common themes, there was a human sdness to it, but it continued to fascinate her. She believed she brought reasonableness to hopeless situations.
Fiona Maye, a leading High Court judge, renowned for her fierce intelligence and sensitivity is called on to try an urgent case. For religious reasons, a seventeen-year-old boy is refusing the medical treatment that could save his life.
Time is running out. She visits the boy in hospital - an encounter which stirs long-buried feelings in her and powerful new emotions in the boy. But it is Fiona who must ultimately decide whether he lives or dies and her judgement will have momentous consequences for them both.
A writer who has no doubt changed the landscape of British fiction, Ian McEwan’s diverse, experimental literary portfolio encompasses Gothic short stories, dark psychological dramas such as *[The Cement Garden](https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-cement-garden/ian-mcewan/9780099755111)* and *[Enduring Love](https://www.waterstones.com/book/enduring-love/ian-mcewan/9780099276586)* as well as the spy thriller *[Sweet Tooth](https://www.waterstones.com/book/sweet-tooth/ian-mcewan/9780099578789),* an epic of wartime, *[Atonement](https://www.waterstones.com/book/atonement/ian-mcewan/9780099429791),* and state-of-the-nation novels *[Amsterdam](https://www.waterstones.com/book/amsterdam/ian-mcewan/9780099272779)* (for which he won the Booker Prize), *[Saturday](https://www.waterstones.com/book/saturday/ian-mcewan/9780099469681)*, *[Solar](https://www.waterstones.com/book/solar/ian-mcewan/9780099549024)* and [*The Children Act*](https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-children-act/ian-mcewan/9780099599630).
Publisher information
- Publisher: Vintage Publishing
- ISBN: 9780099599630
- Number of pages: 224
- Dimensions: 198 x 130 x 14 mm
- Weight: 184g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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McEwan can do better than that
This read like a tailor-made book or a creative writing exercise with constant reminders about the topic. As we already know from the blurb, it is about th... READ MORE
An odd yarn
I found myself thinking why was this written and found it a bit strange. I enjoyed some of the parts describing the feelings of the boy but found the main ... READ MORE
McEwan can do better than that
This read like a tailor-made book or a creative writing exercise with constant reminders about the topic. As we already know from the blurb, it is about th... READ MORE
A must read
I am not a seasoned Ian McEwan reader, having only enjoyed 'Atonement' before this, but after finishing 'The Children Act' I am definitely keen to discover... READ MORE
Thought provoking
If you are already a fan of Ian McEwan this book will not surprise, but will possibly slightly disappoint. If you are new to the author it is well worth re... READ MORE
The children act
Very good book. Interesting story and well researched background to the storey
An odd yarn
I found myself thinking why was this written and found it a bit strange. I enjoyed some of the parts describing the feelings of the boy but found the main ... READ MORE
Wonderful and lyrical
Fiona Maye and husband Jack live a life of relative luxury in Grays Inn London. She is a high court judge as well as an aspiring concert pianist. One morni... READ MORE