I read three quarters of the book, and to be honest, I still had no idea what the book was about, but that didn't matter. While the plot reveals itself towards the end, and the whole book works up to it, the plot line is surprisingly interesting. There wasn't a point during the story when I was actually bored and wishing I didn't have to read through the 175 pages. Such a refreshing style! I enjoyed not knowing what I was reading. That being said, did George plan everything to happen this way, or was it all a coincidence that it worked out the way it did? I love the little quirk at the end. Also, I can't get past how Clive sees music: it's like a vivid adventure--he can see the assent up the mountain, the twist in the labyrinth, etc.--and all of this is conveyed through the music. I'd love to see music as a series of scenes, like in a movie (e.g., flight of the bumblebee.. what would water skiing sound like if it were transformed into notes on a page?). My review does it no justice, and I'm sure not everyone will agree with my assessment of the novel, but it's a pleasant read I'm sure to recommend.

Another weak Booker. Well-written, but dry. Very british.

McEwan's best books -- The Child In Time, Enduring Love and Atonement -- have indelible scenes and remarkable story lines. Every McEwan book has its charms, but this one has fewer than most. Won the Booker Prize in 1998.