I have no idea why I lifted my ban on “buzz” books to read Ian McEwan’s Atonement this week, especially now that the movie’s out, but I’m really glad that I did.

I spent a good portion of my time while reading Atonement fretting. The book came highly recommended by my writing teacher Dale. Despite an inexplicable penchant for Alice Munro, I really respect and admire Dale’s taste. So when I found myself wondering, while reading, what in the hell it was that made this book so special, I worried. First I worried that I got suckered into reading some sort of shitty Alice Munro-like book that was supposed to be all quiet and beautiful or some such bullshit. Second I worried that maybe I would have to reevaluate my perceptions of Dale’s taste.

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