Customer Reviews
Brilliantly chilling! - By: B. J. Madeley, 25 Jul 2008 
The Innocent is the first book that I have ever read by Ian McEwan, although I had heard good reviews of many of his other novels. The innocent is set in Berlin, shortly after the end of the Second World War & during the increasing animosity between the Russians & the Americans. It follows the experience of Leonard - a very straight-laced & naive Englishman, who is sent to Berlin to work on a secret espionage tunnel. During his stay Leonard enjoys a relationship with a local German woman callled Maria. Rapidly their life together goes from bliss to disaster as the plot unfolds.
The Innocent is an incredibly gripping novel that will keep the reader hooked to the very end. The characters are likeable & realistic enough to make you believe that dreadful things could happen to anyone simply because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time (not a pleasant thought).
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel & look forward to reading many more by Ian McEwan.
Not half bad - By: K. Bulcock, 26 Jun 2008 Having read Atonement & not got on with The child in Time, i decided to read a book of Ian McEwan's that was more off the beaten track. What i found was The Innocent. I throughly enjoyed it & i would recommend that for anyone who didn't get on too well with Ian McEwan's other books to read the Innocent.
It is a gripping tale about how an English man in cold war Berlin graduallly losses his innocence. It is a light & short read which i thoroughly enjoyed.
One of the best books I have read - By: Dr. Michael Rowlands, 22 Nov 2007 
What a great read! Splendid in both form & content. A well constructed plot which starts with an easy read, but then it takes an interesting & unexpected turn. I bought it after reading "On Chesil Beach" which is only a short story, but which has got me hooked on the author. Recommeded. Dr Michael Rowlands
Undecided - By: F. Quinn, 29 Aug 2007 
I can't decide if I like this or not. I wouldn't say that I didn't enjoy it, because I did. Ian McEwan's talent with the english language is second to none. His ability to create a wholly imaginable scene is inspiring. Yet, with this book I just felt there was something missing.
I have read Saturday, Atonement & Enduring Love so far & this was my 4th & least favourite of those. Atonement being the best & a over alll favourite.
It started of promising but then, I suppose I was expecting more of a conspiracy, instead it just flapped around the love story.
My main problem about this book is the main character. I can't bring myself to like him. I suppose that is subjective though.
If you have read & enjoyed McEwan before this, then I would reccomend it. If this is your first foray into the litery genius that is McEwan, I suggest you try Atonement first & then work your way upwards.
Warning - don't read whilst eating - By: Four Violets, 05 Jul 2007 A spy story set in Berlin shortly after the end of the second world war - a romantic love story - a gruesome & revolting horror story (don't read whilst eating) - then the circle continues on back through spy to love story again. It was only after starting the book that I noticed another review recommended "don't read this as your first Ian McEwan". Probably wise advice; but I enjoyed it anyway & will certainly read more of his.
