Ian McEwen: creativity, biography. The novel "Atonement"

Ian McEwen is one of the representatives of modern British prose. For the novel "Amsterdam" this author was awarded the prestigious Booker Prize. However, among the works written by Ian McEwan, "Atonement" occupies a special position. This novel is not only different in style and content, but it also touches on deep psychological problems. The plot of the book covers a huge time interval. And although Ian McEwan was not awarded any literary prize for the creation of this work, it gained immense popularity among readers and was filmed.

Author Biography

Ian McEwen, the son of a Scottish officer, was born in 1948. The early years of the writer are associated with constant moving. He was born in one of the inconspicuous military townships, spent several years in East Asia, North Africa, then Germany. The future writer turned twelve, when his parents finally settled in England.

In 1971, Ian McEwen earned his master's degree. Interest in contemporary English and American prose yet he appeared much earlier. At the University of East Anglia, McEwen became one of the few students of the creative writing course that was read by the outstanding classics of the 20th century, M. Bradbury and E. Wilson.

Four years after receiving a master's degree, Ian McEwan published his first collection. In it, among others, was a story written back in his student years. These works brought the young writer the recognition of critics and writers.

"Between the knocked sheets"

Less than two years after the first success in the literary field, as McEwan was able to publish the second collection of short stories. But after the publication of "Between the Shattered Beds" - and this is the name of the new book by the British author - a novel was published that served as a reason for the scandal. The writer was accused of plagiarism. Criticism pointed to the similarity of works McEwan with the work of Julian Gloag. However, at the official level, the critic was not able to accuse the writer of using someone else's creative work.

In 1980, a new scandal erupted in the literary circles of Great Britain. The center of it was again Ian McEwan

Books

The occasion for numerous critical and aggressively-minded articles this time was the play "Stereometry". In this dramatic work, McEwen outlined the life story of a man who has kept the male sexual organ for many years. And in order to keep the amputated member in proper form, the hero of the play placed him in a special chemical solution. The central British television station refused to stage a scandalous work. However, the popularity of the writer, this fact did not have a negative impact.

For ten years, McEwan wrote mostly scripts for cinema and television. There was also prose. Among the works created by the writer in the eighties, there are the following:

• "Lunch plowman";
• "Imitation";
• "Last day of summer";
• "Consolation of strangers".

"On the shore"

The book (Iain McEwen dedicated to her current social issues) is written in a unique style. In the novel there are no unnecessary characters, which are usually introduced by authors to create a background. The action takes place around two heroes.

"On the shore" is a novel devoted to the history of two people whose fates were destroyed. However, this destruction is hardly noticeable, and rather resembles imaginary happiness. It is only from the height of the lived years that a person acquires the ability to evaluate his actions, to realize the delusions with which he has been guided in his actions for many years.

Irreversibility of time is one of the main themes in McEwan's novels. After reading one of the late works of this author, the reader begins to think about what is important in life, and what is secondary. The hero of the novel "On the shore" misses his happiness solely under the influence of prejudices, which go to the background many years later. And, alas, too late.

In the XXI century in the writer's work, complex epic works came to the fore. With the publication of one of his deepest novels, a new period began in his writing path, Ian McEwen.

"Redemption"

The book was published in 2001. A number of important issues that modern authors prefer to avoid, in the novel "Atonement" was covered in a new unusual perspective. This is a misunderstanding between generations, and the monstrous consequences of wars, and many social problems that are familiar to any society. But the main theme in McEwan's book is the payoff. The payment for an error that can cost a life, and which, perhaps, can not be redeemed.

In the literary world, McEwan is a recognized master of sentimental prose. He was awarded the Booker Prize only once. However, in his track record there are other, albeit less prestigious, awards. The novels of the British writer have repeatedly inspired filmmakers. According to his works, several films were shot. And the picture "Atonement", unlike the original source, received many awards. At the annual presentation of the Oscars, the screen version of the work of Ian McEwan was presented in seven categories.