BOOK BRIEF

The Innocent

Ian McEwan
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The Innocent

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

Book Brief

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Ian McEwan

The Innocent

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005
Book Details
Pages

226

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Berlin, Germany • 1950s

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Innocent by Ian McEwan is set in 1950s Berlin and follows Leonard, a young British technician. He becomes involved in a secretive espionage mission during the Cold War, testing his loyalty and identity. The narrative unfolds his relationships and the challenges posed by personal and geopolitical tensions, leading to unforeseen developments.

Dark

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Unnerving

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

3.8

15,654 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Innocent by Ian McEwan is praised for its gripping plot, strong historical context, and intricate character development. Readers appreciate the suspense and psychological depth. However, some critique its pacing as uneven and find certain plot twists implausible. Overall, it's received well for its narrative tension and dark themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Innocent?

Readers who relish psychological thrillers with historical settings will enjoy The Innocent by Ian McEwan. Fans of John le Carré’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold or Graham Greene’s The Quiet American will appreciate its blend of espionage, moral ambiguity, and intricate human relationships.

3.8

15,654 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

226

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Berlin, Germany • 1950s

Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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