Let’s be honest, Enduring Love is a difficult read; not because of the way it’s written, but rather in the uncomfortable and challenging circumstance McEwan’s main character (MC) finds himself. Indeed, the situation is so disturbing – in the “I’m so glad that’s not me” sense – that I could only read it in short chunks.
All of which – if you think about it – goes to demonstrate just how well it’s written, especially as you begin to doubt the reliability of the first person narrator too. Ten out of ten.
However….I found the ending disappointing. Contrived, if I’m honest. First, in how the MC goes about resolving the core problem he’s been facing. And secondly, in how McEwan ties up two loose ends. For one – the relationship between the MC and his partner – the summary letter from her at the end seems so much tell rather than show it’s almost painful. And then, in order to resolve the other loose end, McEwan invents two entirely new characters in the final chapter in order to do so. Quite frankly unbelievable.
I’m a big fan of McEwan’s work, so I left the novel feeling disappointed – having been somewhat in awe by half-way through…
Ian Gouge - Writer 