‘Lessons’ by Ian McEwan

[paul armfield]

While the world is still counting the cost of the Second World War and the Iron Curtain has descended, young Roland Baines’s life is turned upside down. Stranded at boarding school, his vulnerability attracts his piano teacher, Miriam Cornell, leaving scars as well as a memory of love that will never fade.

Twenty-five years later Roland’s wife mysteriously vanishes, and he is left alone with their baby son. Her disappearance sparks of journey of discovery that will continue for decades, as Roland confronts the reality of his rootless existence and attempts to embrace the uncertainty – and freedom – of his future.

[Barbara R]

Amazing novel. Well written – as one would expect. Personally, I found some aspects of the content disturbing and distressing. By spanning 60ish years of Roland’s life in such detail I would think that most readers would relate to some parts of it.
An interesting way of highlighting pivotal moments from history of the last 60/70 years.
Did I enjoy reading it? – mostly.
Is it a book I would want to read again? – probably not.

[Author]

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