46 pages • 1 hour read
Ian McEwanSaturday
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Saturday, a novel by Ian McEwan, follows a day in the life of Henry Perowne, a successful neurosurgeon in London, on February 15, 2003, amid anti-war demonstrations and the looming Iraq invasion. Henry's day unfolds with typical activities but takes a dark turn after a traffic accident with an unstable individual, leading to events that threaten his family's safety. Sensitive topics include depictions of violence and a home invasion.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Saturday by Ian McEwan is praised for its meticulous prose and the psychological depth of its protagonist, effectively capturing a single, tense day in modern London. However, some critics find its pacing slow and certain plot points implausible. Overall, it is lauded for its exploration of the impact of global events on personal lives.
Who Should Read Saturday?
Readers who enjoy Saturday by Ian McEwan are typically drawn to introspective and character-driven narratives, often appreciating the existential and moral dilemmas faced by protagonists. Fans of McEwan’s sharp prose may also like Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf and White Teeth by Zadie Smith for their similar deep dives into personal and societal complexities.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
British Literature
Modern Classic Fiction
Emotions/Behavior: Fear
Emotions/Behavior: Apathy
Relationships: Family
War On Terrorism / Iraq War
History: World