Solar

By: Ian McEwan

Narrated by: Roger Allam, Ian McEwan

Universally acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest novelists, Ian McEwan is a Booker Prize-winning, best-selling literary master. He displays a fresh facet of his considerable talent in Solar, a satirical novel rife with blistering humor.

Nobel Prize-winning physicist Michael Beard is fast approaching 60, a mere shell of the academic titan he once was. While his fifth marriage falls apart, Michael suddenly finds himself with an unexpected opportunity to reinvigorate his career and possibly save humankind from the growing threat of global warming.

This audio includes an exclusive interview with the author.

©2010 Ian McEwan (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"A comedy every bit as brilliant as its title might suggest....Blazing with imaginative and intellectual energy, Solar is a stellar performance." ( Sunday Times, London)

“A stunningly accomplished work, possibly [McEwan’s] best yet.” ( Financial Times)

More sad than funny

I had high hopes for this book, as I am generally fond of satire. However, this novel was by turns boring, depressing, and only occasionally funny. It is risky to have a main character who is unremittingly despicable, and for me this was the real deal breaker. A tight plot might have saved the story, but it wandered a lot, and many of the humorous incidents seemed to be forced into the plot, rather than being a natural part of it. I almost quit halfway through, but I kept going, hoping to get to the part that prompted the glowing reviews. In the end, I was left unsure as to the author's purpose and what he wanted to convey. Was I supposed to scorn scientists, or just recognize that egomaniacal jerks exist in all walks of life...

Laugh out loud funny...and sometimes not.

This is a very funny and odd book. You have to pay attention to catch the humor and stay on track. If you make a little effort, you'll get some great laughs and hear some very interesting points.

As both a solar astronomer and someone who works in the solar industry, I really enjoyed the book.

One caution. The humor is dry and not for everyone.

Often hilarious

Narrator does a great job with it, frequently laugh out loud funny. The protagonist is fairly despicable--you have to be willing to spend a lot of time with a raving egotist (but eventually everything catches up with him). McEwan can get bogged down in the science, which is the novel's main fault.

Solar - or the dark side of science

I enjoyed every minute of this book. If you enjoy irony and a humorous peak into the darker motives of academe, you will also love this book.

A book of rare humor and intellegence

Don't let the nay-sayers turn you away from this book! It's marvelous! Probably my favorite of all McEwan's books. (I do have them all)

I was not bored for one moment. This is a 'laugh out loud' hilarious, wonderfully witty book! It's full of surprise twists and turns that will keep you wondering what could possibly happen next to this character.

The only thing wrong with the book is that it has to end.

Loved It! 5 Stars Plus!

This was a really good book, the rare kind I get excited about finding. It was intelligent, funny, clever, well-narrated, and interesting, with a factual, researched current theme and a fully-developed protagonist, and a literary style that employed a superb command of vocabulary and plot, with hilarious deadpan humor thrown in. I was held captive and didn't want it to end.

+1 overall in light of tech company patent wars

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

Science, Patents, Technology

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Made everything clear. Be sure to listen to interview with the author.

What about Roger Allam and Ian McEwan ’s performance did you like?

Roger Allam is a native Britian. In the story he throws on an American accent for some characters. The result is interesting and laudible.

If you could rename Solar, what would you call it?

Squander

Any additional comments?

This story depicts how a technological solution to climate change is squandered by the character flaws of its inventor, the greed of others, and the unfortunate consequences of patent law. This story reminds me of the patent wars between the big tech companies.

Science, sex, lies, fame, humanity.

What did you love best about Solar?

Excellent scientific documentation. Good plot, with real-like characters. History has value as a current issue.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Solar?

When the main character, Michael Beard, decides to change the situation of the accidental death of his wife's lover into a murder committed by his other wife's lover.

What about Roger Allam and Ian McEwan ’s performance did you like?

Excellent!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Nobel prize winers are only too human...

Any additional comments?

It reminded me of two other books: "The Prize", by Irving Wallace", and "Cantor's dilemma", by Carl Djerassi. Both of them, excellent and also highly recommendable

An oddly compelling fable with a repellent hero

This novel is hard going despite Roger Allam's sonorous delivery. To say it is a black comedy is to understate how disgusting and nauseating are most of the scenarios it presents. The main character is truly revolting, as are most of the others. McEwan is a genius who can make a misanthrope of even the most generous reader!

Brilliant, funny, approachable.

Can't believe some of the reviews here. Never in my life have I come across a book and narrator so perfectly matched. Both deserve giant kudos for this most enjoyable and thought-provoking listen. Highly recommended.