I will always remember when I watched the movie Atonement - I had just moved into my first apartment and it was one of the first movies I got from my very own Netflix subscription. I was shocked at how sexual the movie was, and I guess I thought that was Hollywood's interpretation of the novel. I was wrong.
Reading the novel, I quickly discovered that the film closely followed the book (which is rare) and I found it more shocking to read such sexually charged literature than to view it onscreen. The story follows three main characters: 13 year-old Briony Tallis, her sister Cecelia and the servant boy's son, Robbie Turner. Through a series of events, Briony assumes Robbie is a sexual maniac and is targeting her sister; however, in reality, Robbie and Cecelia are both consenting adults who have recently uncovered their love for each other.
One night, Briony accuses Robbie of raping and attacking her cousin, Lola, who is staying with the Tallis family. The events that follow change the Tallis family and Robbie forever.
The novel provides observations on the dangers of writing - whether it's Robbie's initial letter that falls into the wrong hands, Briony's over-active imagination, or the correspondence that sustains Robbie and Cecelia during their long separation, the threat of misinterpretation is always present. Another prevalent theme in Atonement is satisfaction. Every character is looking to satiate their own needs, even if it means blatantly disregarding what's right and wrong in relationship to everyone else.
A compelling read, but long-winded at times, Atonement is probably one of the most critically acclaimed pieces of literature in the last 50 years. It truly forces the reader to think about consequence, in a way that seems abstract and very real at the same time.
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