Barb's Book Reviews: Review of "Nutshell: A Novel" by Ian McEwan

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Review of "Nutshell: A Novel" by Ian McEwan

In Nutshell, a sort of modern take on 'Hamlet', a son becomes aware that his mother Trudy and her lover Claude are planning to murder his father John - who happens to be Claude's brother. The twist in Ian McEwan's novel is that the son, and narrator of the book, is a late term fetus.....in utero.

The not-yet-born baby, who's preternaturally knowledgeable and articulate, explains that he got his smarts from overheard conservations and the many podcasts his mother listens to. (The descriptions of the podcasts alone make the book worth reading. LOL)

Trudy is separated from her husband John but continues to live in the London home he inherited from his parents, while hubby languishes in a small apartment. The family property is worth millions of pounds, and the greedy adulterers plan to kill John, sell the house, and reap the rewards.

To add insult to injury, Claude has mentioned 'placing the baby somewhere' after the murder - so the couple can go on their merry way unencumbered. Naturally, this doesn't sit right with the unborn infant.

Trudy and Claude think John - a rather dreamy poet - is unaware of their liaison. To the adulterers dismay, John shows up unexpectedly one day and disabuses them of this notion. John tells his wife and brother that he's moving back into the house, and they have to leave.

Taken aback, the adulterers decide to accelerate their murder plot. That's about all I can say about the story without spoilers.

The eavesdropping fetus is quite a hoot. He's like a tiny sommelier - very smart about wine - and tipsy half the time from Trudy's drinking. The infant is also savvy about sex, and privy to lots of hot coupling between Trudy and Claude. As a result, the baby frequently worries about his uncle's wiener poking (and spraying) his head.....thinking he might absorb some of Claude's (unwanted) characteristics.

In fact, the poor baby has a lot to worry about as he ruminates about everything he overhears. So....concerned for his personal welfare, the fetus takes matters into his own hands at the book's climax.

I enjoyed this unique story and would recommend the book to fans of literary novels, and readers looking for something a little different.

Rating: 4 stars

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Barb's Book Reviews

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Review of "Nutshell: A Novel" by Ian McEwan

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