Sweet Tooth

By: Ian McEwan

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Winner of such prestigious honors as the Booker Prize and Whitbread Award, Ian McEwan is justifiably regarded as a modern master. Set in 1972, Sweet Tooth follows Cambridge student Serena Frome, whose intelligence and beauty land her a job with England's intelligence agency, MI5. In an attempt to monitor writers' politics, MI5 tasks Serena with infiltrating the literary circle of author Tom Healy. But soon matters of trust and identity subvert the operation.

©2012 Ian McEwan (P)2012 Random House Audiobooks

Stunningly fantastic!

Every moment of this book is an entirely pleasurable, satisfying and intelligent listen. It was such a quenching experience that it's hard to identify a comparison. From fascinating, complex characters to cold war spy intrigue to sexy swinging London, written in unrelenting gorgeous prose. This isn't a just good story, it's an AMAZING work of literature — and you, dear reader, are implicated in this tale!

Juliet Stevenson could read the phone book

. . . And keep me enthralled. Ms. Stevenson narration aside, Ian McEwen's writing is smooth, rich and evocative. The story is set in a time in history, 1970's London, that interests me as a baby boomer. Serena, our Sweet Tooth, is both smart and naive. I cheered her on from beginning to end. I was left wondering how a male author could capture a women's interior so well.

An uninteresting story, told boringly.

As usual, McEwan makes great use of language, however, this book is short on plot. He has about enough material for a novella, a story about half as long. The protagonist and narrator, Serena, is not stupid nor intellectually shallow, but she continually defines herself by whatever man she happens to have latched on to. The story goes through a succession of her lovers but focuses primarily on an author and poet. It is hard to understand why he loves her. I'm not saying there are not people like Serena, but I don't find their story or plight interesting. The story drags with long asides and excursions. I cannot say more without spoiling the plot, but I found the way in which the ending is handled really lame--a real cop-out by McEwan.

Definitely in my top 5 all-time great audiobooks

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was compelling, riveting, beautifully written, and expertly narrated. It is an intriguing tour-de-force. I highly recommend it.

Boring

somehow Ian McEwan manages to make a spy thriller boring.
The prose is excellent and the descriptions of people and places are evocative. The characters are fully realises and complex.
the problem is the pacing overall arc. I was left bored and impatient for a climax that never fully arrives.
the reader was superb, the perfect voice to go with the narrator.

Good old dependable Ian!

Would you consider the audio edition of Sweet Tooth to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print book but the audible version was fantastic! The lovely voice of Juliet Stevenson added to the beautiful prose of Ian McEwan... can't think of a better combination. Pure music.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sweet Tooth?

The end. I was prepared to be sad by the ending but now I have hope. Wish he would write a sequel but that would probably be disappointing.

Which character – as performed by Juliet Stevenson – was your favorite?

Definitely the female lead. (Already I've lost her name). Sympathetic, empathetic and believable. I would have had a hard time with the decisions too.

A Riveting Spy Story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is beautifully written and has such interesting characters. It doesn’t read like a traditional spy story because it’s told from the point of view of a young woman in the sixties. The way she’s treated seems genuine from those days. And her character really came alive for me. I heartily recommend this one.

Juliet came to the rescue

The idea for the story is good. The actual story as it is heard is a let down, mired by excessive f- bombs and sexual interludes. The only reason that I kept listening was the masterful narration by Juliet Stevenson.

Slow and a little boring but a good story

It takes a lot to get into this story but the writing is good and it ends up being a good story.
I've now listened to it 1 1/2 times and I just can't stay focused. A lot of extra info that doesn't seem to matter at all. If you're going to read any of this author's books, pick Atonement. And then see the movie. That's a great story. This one is just kinda boring.

Another good Ian McEwan book

McEwan's books can start out slow, but they're always a great read. This is the first one I've listened to, engaging and well written.