Atonement

     In carrying on my theme of heroines portrayed by Keira Knightley, I'm going to review Ian McEwan's Atonement. Right off the bat, let me bitch about how inappropriately named the novel is, because by the end of it there is no atonement or closure or anything remotely satisfying really.

     The premise of the tale is 13-year-old Briony Tallis misinterprets a scene between her older sister and the family gardener, and subsequently ruins the young lovers' lives. The family is torn apart by the lie, but Briony envies them all because although they all live in rage and hatred, they are not suffering the guikt she feels. I won't ruin the story and tell you what happens (and what should but doesn't).

   The novel is Jane Austen-meets-modernism. It takes place in WWII England, right around the financial downfalls of many coveted estates and feudalism as a whole. The film adaptation does a good job of capturing that essence while safe away from the war. Honestly, this is the first (and last) time I'll ever admit to a movie being better than a novel, so skimp on the reading and watch the movie. Just this once!
Emma