Atonement is a brilliant book, imo, but you really shouldn't know too much about it before reading it. And I can't even properly explain why without giving away too much. The real question is, perhaps, if it's actually a good idea to read it before seeing the movie. Because if the adaptation is at all faithful then knowing one of them will lessen the impact of the other. But some basic non-spoilery facts: The three main characters are Briony Tallis, her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner who is the son of the Tallis family's housemaid. The first part of the book takes place during one very hot summer day in 1935. At that time Briony is 13 and Cecilia and Robbie (to be played by Knightley and McAvoy) are both in their early 20s. Something happens that day which profoundly changes the lives of all three of them and the rest of the book is about the consequences of that day and trying to come to terms with them. The second part is set in 1940 with the second world war having a heavy influence on proceedings. And then the final and shortest part happens a number of years later. Is it a sad story? To some extent that's up to the reader to decide. It's certainly not very cheerful, but I guess it would be possible to put a positive spin on it if one were so inclined. I'd recommend the book to anyone, though. Especially people with an interest in writing.
Atonement
The real question is, perhaps, if it's actually a good idea to read it before seeing the movie. Because if the adaptation is at all faithful then knowing one of them will lessen the impact of the other.
But some basic non-spoilery facts:
The three main characters are Briony Tallis, her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner who is the son of the Tallis family's housemaid. The first part of the book takes place during one very hot summer day in 1935. At that time Briony is 13 and Cecilia and Robbie (to be played by Knightley and McAvoy) are both in their early 20s. Something happens that day which profoundly changes the lives of all three of them and the rest of the book is about the consequences of that day and trying to come to terms with them.
The second part is set in 1940 with the second world war having a heavy influence on proceedings. And then the final and shortest part happens a number of years later.
Is it a sad story? To some extent that's up to the reader to decide. It's certainly not very cheerful, but I guess it would be possible to put a positive spin on it if one were so inclined.
I'd recommend the book to anyone, though. Especially people with an interest in writing.