McEwan’s novel is based on the consequences of a single (bad) choice made by a young and observant girl. Precocious yet sheltered, she grows up understanding her responsibility and hopes to find a way to atone for the harm she has brought to her sister and her lover. I found myself caught up in Briony’s character but I did not find the other characters compelling.

So pat already posted on this but it seems that i am also posting.

So this novel basically takes place over a few days spaced several years apart, and there is minimal action. It surrounds the consequence of a seemingly innocent observation and an attempt to grow up before it’s time. The consequences span 50 years, a war and jail time for an innocent man. Even at the end of the novel the protagonist is not cleared of her actions and has to take her atonement with her to the grave.