On their honeymoon is the south of France June and Bernard Tremaine set out on a walk in the countryside. Both are devout Communists, agree on most everything and much in love. While Bernard stops to look closely at some caterpillars, June continues on her way.
Soon thereafter, two large, black dogs confront her. We learn later that the Germans left them to terrorize the villagers. June managed to ward off the dogs, but the encounter changed her life.
It became a mystical experience, turned her away from Communism and acquired a somewhat religious epiphany. In spite of their love for one another, June and Bernard never lived together again. June settled in a bergerie in the south of France; Bernard returned to England and ran successfully for Parliament.
McEwan’s tale is narrated by their adoptive son, Jeremy, who spoke frequently with both of them. The novel recounts their now-differing views on science, religion, and politics.
I believe McEwan intended June’s encounter with the black dogs as a metaphor for a fundamental feature of the human condition. He sums it up at the end:
…I came face to face with evil. I didn’t quite know it at the time, but I sensed it in my fear—these animals were the creations of debased imaginations, of perverted spirits no amount of social theory could account for. The evil I’m talking about lives in all of us. It takes hold in an individual, in private lives, within a family, and then it’s children who suffer most. And then, when the conditions are right, in different countries, at different times, a terrible cruelty, a viciousness against life erupts, and everyone is surprised by the depth of hatred within himself. Then it sinks back and waits. It’s something in our hearts.
6 comments:
Two more titles on my list.
I'll never live long enough.
But keep them coming! It's a comfort to know there is a resource I can rely on. I have been very disappointed with some prominent book reviewers recently. Maybe it's me and not them, maybe I'm the one who is changing.
I meant to note on the Salter post comment - The Hunters reminded me a bit of Stoner, especially the latter part of the book - the protagonist as an unsung hero. Those are the kinds of books I look for. There really is a lot of crap out there.
Sorry, but it's true.
I agree, although I am a very picky reader. It's hard to find a novel of ideas, a philosophical novel these days. No one wants to read them, so no one wants to publish them. In the Light of What We Know was the last one I read (twice). I keep looking.
I'm becoming very picky. I like picky.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you, as well. You are my most appreciative reader.
Is this a new one? I've not heard of it before. Not that I know all of his books titles or anything ;)
No, not new, found it on my bookshelf. It was originally published in 1992. Now it's also available as a Kindle book. Not a long book, reads quickly. I will read anything by Ian McEwan, usually more than once.
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