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Plot Synopsis
Starting in 1935, 13-year-old Briony Tallis (knowingly) wrongfully accuses her older sister's lover, Robbie Turner, of rape. He spends three years in prison, but volunteers to serve in World War II to shorten his sentence.Robbie briefly reunites with Briony's sister, Cecilia, before heading to Dunkirk. Cecilia, a nurse during the war, eventually realizes that Robbie was innocent of his crime.
Briony, self-exiled from her family due to the incident, also becomes a nurse as a means of atonement for actions. In the end, it is revealed the entire story was imagined by Briony, who reveals in the last part of the book that Cecilia and Robbie were both killed in the war, and had never reunited.
Briony laments over her actions, knowing that there is no real atonement for denying them their happiness.
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Critical Reception
Lauded as the best novel of 2001 by Time Magazine, Atonement received unanimous praise by critics upon its release. It also won numerous awards, including the 2001 James Tait Black Memorial Prize, the 2002 WH Smith Literary Award, and most notably the 2002 National Book Critics Circle Award.In 2007, the book was adapted into a film, starring Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. It won the "Best Motion Picture Drama" at the Golden Globes the next year.
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The Mahalo Top 7
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Official Ian McEwan Site: Atonement
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Wikipedia: Atonement (novel)
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ReadingGroupGuides: Atonement by Ian McEwan
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Salon.com: Atonement Review (2002)
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Guardian Unlimited: Ian McEwan Interview on Atonement (2002)
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Amazon.com: Atonement: A Novel
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Official Site: Atonement (Film)
atonementthemovie.co.uk
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Official Ian McEwan Site: Atonement
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Atonement on Twitter Powered by Twitter
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to teach on the extent of the atonement to SBTS students, and about the vastly more important issue of the free offer of the gospel.
@drmoore | November 12, 2009 10:15 AM -
really getting into the atonement soundtrack. I've made a playlist here to listen for free on grooveshark. http://bit.ly/10cnx2
@embedDesign | November 12, 2009 09:50 AM -
Was all proud of myself 4 watching Atonement-a war movie-on Vet. Day til it made me sad
@nicokwanart | November 12, 2009 07:28 AM -
home alone drinking leftover miller lites. gonna start Atonement now. This is already a bad idea.
@ooh_la_lola | November 12, 2009 06:29 AM
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Atonement on Amazon | View All
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The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views - $20.00
A long history of biblical exegesis and theological reflection has shaped our understanding of the atonement today. The more prominent highlights of this history have acquired familiar names for the household of faith: Christus Victor, pena...
Amazon -
Atonement (Full Screen Edition) - $29.98
From the award-winning director of Pride and Prejudice comes a stunning, critically acclaimed epic story of love. When a young girl catches her sister in a passionate embrace with a childhood friend, her jealousy drives her to tell a lie th...
Amazon -
The Atonement Child - $13.99
A beautiful repackaged edition of Francine Rivers's classic novel that breaks through the many taboos surrounding abortion. In one terrifying moment, Dynah Carey's perfect life is shattered by rape, her future irrevocably altered by an unwa...
Amazon -
Atonement - $14.95
On a summer day in 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis witnesses a moment’s flirtation between her older sister, Cecilia, and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant. But Briony’s incomplete grasp of adult motives and her precocious imaginati...
Amazon -
Atonement (Widescreen Edition) - $29.98
From the award-winning director of Pride and Prejudice comes a stunning, critically acclaimed epic story of love. When a young girl catches her sister in a passionate embrace with a childhood friend, her jealousy drives her to tell a lie th...
Amazon
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Questions and Answers About Atonement | View All | Ask a Question
View All Atonement Questions (3) | Ask a QuestionDoes anyone know any James McAvoy movies? I know there's Atonement, but I have a dislike for Keira Knightley... (2 Answers)Here are all of James McAvoy's films since 2005: 2005 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 2006 The Last King of Scotland 2006 Penelope 2007 ... read moreWhat do you think of Zero-Population Growth? (2 Answers)I'm not in favor of forcing anyone to do anything in the name of zero population growth but it is pretty clear that our world would be a better place ... read more
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Atonement Author Information
- Mahalo's Guide to Ian McEwan
- Official Ian McEwan Site
- Wikipedia: Ian McEwan
- BBC News: "McEwan: Enduring Talent"
- The Independent: "Ian McEwan: Here's the Twist" (2007)
- The Morning News: "Ian McEwan" (2007)



