Recently Read – Nutshell by Ian McEwan

I know that I’m no longer reviewing books, but it doesn’t mean that I have stopped reading. In fact, since I”ve stopped reviewing I have increased my reading output, incredibly.  Would you believe me if I told you I have read 67 books already this year? This is partly possible because if I am feeling ill I listen to audiobooks. So, even if I am incapable of reading words on a page because my head is hurting, I can have an audiobook quietly playing. I’ve also cut down on the amount of TV I watch. I’d rather read.

So, with that in mind, I’m finding that I’m coming across some great and interesting books all by myself and ones I’d like to share with you. So, no, I’m not book reviewing, I’m sharing a book I really enjoyed. Call it a recommendation if you will…

Nutshell by Ian McEwan

Trudy has betrayed her husband, John. She’s still in the marital home – a dilapidated, priceless London townhouse – but not with John. Instead, she’s with his brother, the profoundly banal Claude, and the two of them have a plan. But there is a witness to their plot: the inquisitive, nine-month-old resident of Trudy’s womb.

Told from a perspective unlike any other, Nutshell is a classic tale of murder and deceit from one of the world’s master storytellers.

My thoughts

This was the first Ian McEwan book I read and I listened to it on audiobook. It was narrated by Rory Kinnear who was utterly brilliant and completely added to the book. His performance was flawless. I don’t listen to many fiction books on audiobook, I’m only just starting to branch out into fiction now, but when actors put their heart into it, it really does make the book. If you do decide to give this a try, I’d highly recommend you try it on audio simply for Kinnear’s performance.

And who is he performing as? That is so what I loved about this book. It is proper fiction. Proper in that you really do have to leave your disbelief at the door. The narrator is the unborn child of Trudy. Yes, you read that correctly. McEwan wrote this story from the point of view of an unborn baby. And it’s brilliant.

Honestly, it is. Maybe I loved it because of Kinnear’s reading of it. But love it I did. It’s crime fiction because there is murder afoot. Though, I’m sure McEwan doesn’t want it to be classified as such. There is not a sentence that isn’t honed and needed. It’s beautifully crafted. Clear and concise. The characters jump out of the page at you. Trudy, in control and demanding, Claude simpering and wet. But, is it all as we think it is? Brilliantly done. And recommended. Just leave that disbelief at the door.