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Book Reviews of The Children Act

The Children Act
The Children Act
Author: Ian McEwan
ISBN-13: 9780385539708
ISBN-10: 0385539703
Publication Date: 9/9/2014
Pages: 240
Rating:
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 17

3.4 stars, based on 17 ratings
Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

5 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

eadieburke avatar reviewed The Children Act on + 1639 more book reviews
Fiona Maye, High Court judge, is childless and her marriage of 30 years is in crises. She is called to a trying case where Adam, 17 year old boy, is refusing for religious reasons the medical treatment that could save his life. She visits the boy in the hospital and the encounter stirs feelings of powerful emotions in both of them. I found this book to be an excellent story and would highly recommend it!
junie avatar reviewed The Children Act on + 630 more book reviews
Despite the good ratings, I found this book too boring for tears!

The story centers on Fiona, an English High Court Judge and some very interesting cases she has to decide. If the author centered the story on her captivating court cases and not so much on her 30 year old marriage, I would have enjoyed the book more.

Her husband asked for an "open" marriage since he will be turning 60 and since she has no time for him or sex anymore, he would like permission to have an affair! She throws him out but constantly looks for emails or texts from him to no avail. Until one day, she finds him on the floor with his suitcase in front of her apartment since she changed the locks.
She lets him in, but says nothing more. He says he still loves her, but she is reluctant to reply.

Luckily this was a short 215 page book or I would not have finished it.
I wasted my time on this one.
LeahG avatar reviewed The Children Act on + 320 more book reviews
This was a very interesting book. The author thoroughly delved into the thought processes of the protagonist, Judge Fiona Maye. The story surprised me. I expected it to be something entirely different than it was. The author gives a very personal interpretation of Fiona. His depth of understanding of how this woman tninks is surprising.
reviewed The Children Act on + 1452 more book reviews
Fiona Mayem, 59 and a supreme court judge, listens to cases involving family issues. Key in her current list is a boy whose parents refuse treatment for religious reasons. The boy, idealistic and excited about the attention he is receiving, supports their decision. It is Fiona's decision to either allow him to forgo treatment or to insist that he have the treatment the doctors recommend.

In addition, in her personal life her husband has decided that he wants to pursue a passionate affair with her permission, of course. Devastated and deeply hurt, she refuses to approve of this step. He leaves their home to do it anyway.

Meanwhile, Fiona decides that the only way she can make the right decision for the boy is to visit him in the hospital where she discovers a happy, intelligent boy who writes poetry and is learning to play the violin. Ultimately, she decides to approve the treatment but her decision has unforseen consequences where she must determine what her next moves will be.

This is an interesting read with an ending that the reader would not expect. If you enjoy this author's work, pick up this book and read it to see what you think.
leecat2 avatar reviewed The Children Act on + 44 more book reviews
A lovely book about a woman High Judge in London, whose marriage is falling apart, emotional life is taking a toll and 2 of the most difficult cases of her life.