McEwan’s novel about ambition, personal betrayal and revenge features Clive, a modern composer trying to complete a major orchestral work, his friend Vernon, an editor trying to save his ailing newspaper, and Garmony, an unscrupulous right-wing politician on the rise.
In common, all three have, in previous years, been lovers of recently dead Molly. They meet at her funeral and the story follows the next few weeks of the men’s lives. Vernon and Clive act as one another’s conscience, each infuriating the other. Which is more important, honesty, friendship and trust or Vernon’s newspaper and Clive’s symphony?
The novel presents the difficulties of balancing personal and public morality, the importance of private shame and public reputation, the conflict between taking a moral decision for the greater good, or putting first ones own desires.
Not just a simple exposé of a politician with a vulnerable side, Amsterdam is full of double standards and surprises, and takes a long, cynical look at journalism; the competitive, duplicitous nature of men and their political manoeuvring, which is simple Darwinism. Who has the right to survive, who must take the fall?
McEwan includes an interesting section on the creative process; Clive’s absorption and pre-occupation with his work effectively divorces him from the world. His doubt alternates with certainty, and his fear of failure is followed closely by the fleeting sensation of triumph.
The story raises questions as to what is most lasting; the importance men place on career, weighed against the late Molly’s simple acts of trust, kindness, compassion and human dignity. The power of personal relationships; intimacy and friendship, cut through the characters’ take on the grand scheme of things, and reduce to bare bones the significance of a man’s word. Only towards the end of the novel does the significance of the book jacket’s duelling men have meaning, from a time when the integrity of a man’s word meant his honour and his life; and worth defending to the death.
In common, all three have, in previous years, been lovers of recently dead Molly. They meet at her funeral and the story follows the next few weeks of the men’s lives. Vernon and Clive act as one another’s conscience, each infuriating the other. Which is more important, honesty, friendship and trust or Vernon’s newspaper and Clive’s symphony?
The novel presents the difficulties of balancing personal and public morality, the importance of private shame and public reputation, the conflict between taking a moral decision for the greater good, or putting first ones own desires.
Not just a simple exposé of a politician with a vulnerable side, Amsterdam is full of double standards and surprises, and takes a long, cynical look at journalism; the competitive, duplicitous nature of men and their political manoeuvring, which is simple Darwinism. Who has the right to survive, who must take the fall?
McEwan includes an interesting section on the creative process; Clive’s absorption and pre-occupation with his work effectively divorces him from the world. His doubt alternates with certainty, and his fear of failure is followed closely by the fleeting sensation of triumph.
The story raises questions as to what is most lasting; the importance men place on career, weighed against the late Molly’s simple acts of trust, kindness, compassion and human dignity. The power of personal relationships; intimacy and friendship, cut through the characters’ take on the grand scheme of things, and reduce to bare bones the significance of a man’s word. Only towards the end of the novel does the significance of the book jacket’s duelling men have meaning, from a time when the integrity of a man’s word meant his honour and his life; and worth defending to the death.
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