I’ve just finished reading Saturday by Ian McEwan. The novel takes place over the course of a day, and it recounts what happens to the neurosurgeon Henry Perowne. The story takes place in London, on the day of the anti-war march.

Some of the things I liked best in the book were the observations McEwan makes about everyday life. For instance, he talks about half-remembering something you might have said once: without being able to recall the exact words, you still have the vague sense that it was foolish or embarrassing. I liked this because it’s an observation I’ve made myself.

I also liked the way the novel was so current, and yet slightly historic. It talks about the impending (as it was in Feburary 2003) war in Iraq, and the characters wonder, and argue over, what will happen afterwards. It will be interesting to read it again in a few years’ time.

The tone of the book is fairly introspective, from Perowne’s point of view, but it makes for an interesting perspective: you can identify with Perowne as you follow him around his day.

Ian McEwan’s website is at www.ianmcewan.com.