Saturday

By: Ian McEwan

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Ian McEwan's novels have inspired sweeping critical acclaim and won such prestigious awards as the Booker Prize for Amsterdam and the National Book Critics Circle Award for his modern masterpiece, Atonement. With Saturday, McEwan has crafted perhaps his most unique achievement to date.

Neurosurgeon Henry Perowne enjoys life immensely and considers himself fortunate to love the woman he's married to. As he makes his way through an immense London crowd of Iraq protestors, he has a minor automobile accident. His trained eye immediately senses something neurologically wrong with Baxter, the other driver. So when the confrontational Baxter visits the Perowne home later that evening and events take a tragic turn, it is Henry who must employ his skills to save Baxter.

McEwan has been hailed as "one of the most gifted literary storytellers alive" by The New Republic, and Saturday is further proof of that claim.

Listen to an interview with Ian McEwan on Charlie Rose.

©2005 Ian McEwan (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Dazzling." (The New York Times)
"A wise and poignant portrait of the way we live now." (Publishers Weekly)
"McEwan is as provocative, transporting, and brilliant as ever as he considers both our vulnerability and our strength, particularly our ability to create sanctuary in a violent world." (Booklist)

Reading this for a class, Somewhat anticlimactic

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I was reading the book for a class on 21st Century British Lit. Had I not been reading this for a class, I may not have made it to the end. It took a very long time for anything at all to happen and when it finally did... Well, you will see... if you make it that far. There's a dragging quality, lots of day dreaming and set up for later occurrences. Not as much a question of time well spent as just the fact that it takes a really long time to finally feel like you are into the plot.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

There are lots of changes I would have made to make it a little more believable. However, I would be giving away the story and since there's not much that happens I would like to leave a little suspense for future readers.

What aspect of Steven Crossley’s performance would you have changed?

The narration is very slow and has lots of pauses. I had downloaded on my Mac and for some reason this recording would not allow me to speed up the narration.

Do you think Saturday needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I really see no need for a follow up book.

A watershed weekend for a creature of habit

This audiobook is distinguished for its superb narration. It is difficult to imagine that a reading of the book would have produced as enjoyable an experience, because author McEwen crafts sentences that reveal both the attitude and interior character of a single person, one almost engaged in a monologue. The narrator expertly conveys the attitude along with the words.
The attitude is that of one who is completely content in his world and accustomed to possessing complete control over it-- until 9/11 shatters that sense (illusion?) of control. Perown strives to regain mastery of his world in a single Saturday that confounds his efforts to do so at every turn. In the end, Perown seems to concede that his efforts are a failure-- his world will remain ever unpredictable-- but what he has cobbled together is a serenity that he (and McEwen) shares with the reader. For the reader, and especially for the listener, it is an unanticipated pleasure to go along for the ride with the character, author and narrator.

Excellent writing, slow story

The writing is wonderful. How anyone could spend so much time writing about one day is beyond me. I didn't find the story that compelling but the writing was very good so perhaps it was worth it.

A whirlwind of a day

Having read through the reviews, I was a little worried about those who said that this book was slow. I often listen when I am running, and I like novels to keep moving along. Theoretically, I suppose you could say that this book is slow, but the carefully building action is so carefully set up, the book is as dramatic as most I have read (or listened) to. Terrorism lurks in the background, allowing for reflection on our post-9/11 world, but really I think this book is a meditation on the nature of life itself and our place as parents and children. McEwan is such a careful writer; each word and phrase is staked out so as to later lead you into a new insight. I can't do justice to this book in my review; just buy it. If you enjoy other McEwan books and you want something that will make your head full of rich reflections on life while sometimes also hanging on the edge of your seat for the next piece of action, this is the book for you. Wonderful narration, too.

Extraordinary

If you like great writing and a well-crafted narrative, pay no attention to the nay-sayers about this book. McEwan let me live inside Henry's head for the week it took me to finish the book, and a fascinating head it was! The incredible detail and accuracy of the neurosurgical and medical frame of the story itself is fascinating. More important, I was completely caught up in the present-tense narrative with its visits to Henry's past provoked by the moment-to-moment events of the one Saturday in question. The task of writing a novel that takes place in single day is a giant literary challenge. McEwan meets that challenge with a masterpiece of contemporary fiction. One of the best books I've read in recent years, and one of the first that have reflected on our reaction to events since 9/11 in a way that made sense to me.

Great read

This book talks about life moving along smoothly. Career and family is at their highest potential. Looking for the next frontier to explore without seeing how life has blessed him already. Lacks ability to communicate love and appreciation to family.
When life takes a trip down a road that takes away your breath and stops your heart from beating in the blink of an eye. Life goes through a reevaluation that makes you stop in your direction you we're traveling in.
This is now the time that the decision that is made contains life and death with every thought and action made.
Great Read! Enjoy

Best audio book I've listened to.

If you could sum up Saturday in three words, what would they be?

Sublime

What does Steven Crossley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I can't imagine this book being read any better

Any additional comments?

I have listened to hundreds of audio books. This is my favorite of all and the only novel I've ever listened twice. Capturing the various thoughts of a person's everyday thoughts, feelings and ideas so well and yet so subtlety was very impressive and is what makes this book a masterpiece, in my opinion. My favorite audio book and possibly my favorite of any book I have ever read.

Ho Hum

The narrator makes me sleepy. The story is okay. It might be more enjoyable with a more dynamic reader.

Event filled Saturday

It was not the type of epic story that I am used to reading, but it did contain lots of questions about our human condition. The oncoming war(s) of the early 2000s are a backdrop for this Saturday in London. there is a heavy theme of forgiveness. The thought through forgiveness after an attack on the main character's family. Very well done.

The protagonist is kind of a cuck

A great story in the tradition of Ian McEwen. Great descriptions of personal passions, racquetball, the blues, and brain surgery. A splendid little novel to spend your Saturday reading.