The Cement Garden

Masterfully written by McEwan, this dark and unsettling novella describes the isolated world created by parent-less children, its gradual crack-up and eventual collapse. The cracks in the cellar cement tomb mirror the ones in the oxygenated entombed space above it. The characterization of the four children, although very well done, are in the background while the atmosphere and the sense of place which the kids inhabit reign supreme. The inexorable (and predictable) decline and fall of their world is irresistabley told, culminating in the sublimely written last few pages.

'The Cement Garden' is certainly a macabre yet unforgettable piece of fiction. In some slice of British urban decay we have a three children, two teens and one youngster, suddenly left as orphans during a dreadfully hot summer. The children, quite literally, take matter in their own hands, with absolutely horrific results. True to form, Ian McEwan does a spectacular job with the prose and characterizations. However the ending struck me as somewhat gratuitously shocking and disturbed. Albeit the entire story is bizarre, the ending seemed somewhat disjointed ... but fortunately not enough to ruin this story.


Bottom line: frighteningly disgusting on multiple levels. But required reading nonetheless.

Very good book that delves into the psyche of children who have to rely on each other for comfort and support.

The Cement Garden by Ian McEwan is a well written book about societal taboos and about what we consider to be normal human behaviour versus what we consider to be just down right freaky and inexcusable. This being the authors first book, which is actually more of a novella (it is only 144 pages) it is easy to see just how brilliant a writer he is, especially considering his later work (Atonement and On Chesil Beach to name a few). Probably not a book I would have read for a while- I think I would have eventually read this book simply because I have enjoyed his other works- this book is definately not for the faint hearted and should probably be read by one who is willing to see it from an academic point of view rather than a personal point of view. By this I mean that as a reader we should try and understand the point he is making rather than just be completely grossed out because of our own opinions on the matters involved.

I had to read this book as part of my university course on English Literature, and the lecturer specifically made us read this BECAUSE of the subject matter within. The book is told from the point of view of Jack, a fourteen year old boy with a pimply face, a reluctance to shower and a moody disposition; who narrates in such a blunt and precise way that you are not really given any room to make your own decisions or form your own opinions- you just accept, because you must and because these are the facts (unless of course you are one of those people who immediately takes offence to what is within the pages of this book). Jack has three siblings- an elder sister whose name escapes me but is around 17 years of age, Susan who is around 13 years and Tom who is 6 years. The eldest sister is meant to be incredibly beautiful, Susan is quite introverted and a bookworm who prefers her own company and Tom is a young boy who is struggling to define who he is and where he belongs in the world (yes, at the tender age of 6).

The story starts with Jack's father who is cementing up his beloved garden because he is no longer able to maintain it, having suffered what I presume to be a stroke or heart attack several months earlier. Jack's mother is submissive and seems to be in her own world. Early on you discover that neither parent is meant to stay long in the story, and so quite quickly the children are orphaned. The children decide not to alert the authorities as to their mothers death and decide to bury her in a box filled with cement (they do this so they don't get split up by the authorities). At first it seems like a holiday; the children don't really seem to fussed about being alone and seem content enough to carry on with their own lives. As the story progresses, the children seem to regress, preferring their own company and seeming to make an unspoken choice to rebel against society and their parents rules- namely what society considers to be normal compared to what they (the children) choose to believe is normal, until you reach the dramatic, chilling and unavoidable ending.

I apologise if this seems vague, but considering all the other reviews out at the moment I am trying to review the book on its literary aspects and the author's writing ability without giving to much away in terms of plot and character development.

Overall, this book is magnificent, showing what happens when we go against normality and convention and make our own individual decisions without the hindrance and influence of societal values and beliefs. What is right and what is wrong? And to what degree are our choices and beliefs influenced by the greater population? At what point can we honestly say that our decisions are our decisions and not everyone elses? An example; most of us grow up, go to school and University, get married and have children, then grow old and die- each of us leading a perfectly respectable existance to our final breath. A select few choose to rebel against the rules and conventions- thiefs, murderers, robbers etc. So, my main argument, at what point do our choices remain our own individual choices?

To be honest, it felt kind of like reading a written version of Big Brother gone wrong. Jack's voice is clear and concise, even if you don't agree with what he says, you can clearly see his thoughts and the reasoning behind his actions as he tells this strange tale. Personally, I found the book to be extremely well written and the characters clearly drawn out (flaws and all). You are able to watch as all the characters progress, then regress, then progress as individuals in their own way.

I don't agree with their actions or with the actual plot line itself, but I am not going to criticise the book because I don't personally agree with what is written. The job of an author is to not only write a story, but write it well, and for those who are willing to write a controversial book such as this and still do a good job- my kudos. Like I said, I think this book accurately presents the taboos of our society in such a way so as not to cause offence, but rather to make you question your beliefs in the overall scheme of things. This is not a book I will read again, but it is a good book, especially to debate. Not for the fainthearted.

4.5 stars.

This is one of McEwan's early novels. As usual, there is something about the story that hooks the reader. The narrator is a 15 year old boy who has experienced the recent death of both his parents. He is now living with his 2 sisters and younger brother. The relationship among the siblings is - lets just say different as I do not want to reveal any surprises in the book.

McEwan writing is fine, as usual, but at times choppy. For example, there are major scene changes without an appropriate transition. Plot is certainly interesting. It is a very short book so it is hard to say it dragged on but I was bored at times. Overall, McEwan fans will not be disappointed, but for me (I am not a big fan but I do appreciate his style), I think I will take a long break from his books.