“We are doing that in my Book Club”, said the woman sitting opposite me on the train. I was on the last leg of my journey home from Berlin. It was a long, strenuous trip ; the U-Bahn from Wittenburgplatz to Bahnhof Zoo, the train from Zoo to Berlin airport, flight to Amsterdam, flight to Belfast, bus to the railway station, then the final lap.
I was only 100 pages into ‘Lessons’, but already loving it, I’ve enjoyed much of Ian McEwan’s work, and now I see it from a different perspective. I liked the physics and human elements in ‘Solar’ and ‘Amsterdam’ an probably the relationship insights in ‘On Chesil Beach’ and ‘Atonement’. In ‘Lessons’ I’m noticing mentions of Time and Memory and their relationship.
‘Memories had a long half-life’
Page 81.
It implies that the content of memories and maybe our emotional response to them falls off quickly soon after the event, then plateaus after that.
‘His lot lolled on history’s aproned lap, nestling in a little fold of time, eating all the cream’
Page104.
‘At school he lived the mental state life of a dog chained to a constant present’
Page 114.
“I’ve always been a bit unsure about joining a book club. I had the horrors of getting stuck with opinionated people or some who wouldn’t let you get a word in … “
“Yes, I know what you mean. I thought that too, but our club isn’t like that. People are very friendly.”
“Do you have to read every book? I wouldn’t like to read an author I didn’t respect.”
She laughed, “No, no, it’s up to you.”
“Does everybody have to give an opinion?”
“No, they aren’t strict at all, some only come for the tea and cake.” We both laughed. Her friend returned and I went back to my book.
The train stopped at Antrim station. Twenty minutes later we were still there. It’s a single line track and trains in opposite directions can only pass at stations, so sometimes one train has to wait till the other comes. We thought this had to be the reason. But 20 minutes is a long time with no explanation.
Then we saw an ambulance. And paramedics were on the train. Okay, someone must be ill. Can’t complain about that. A few moments later the police were there too. Interesting. What’s really happening? A tall girl walked unsteadily along the platform. She seemed confused. The police walked behind her and the paramedics in front.
Hot weather and alcohol? I don’t really know, but it made my long day’s travel even longer.
Fortunately we had a lovely sky to look at on the way home.
McEwan, I. (2022) Lessons. London: Vintage Digital.
