AmsterdamOn a chilly February day, two old friends meet in the throng outside a crematorium to pay their last respects to Molly Lane. Both Clive Linley and Vernon Halliday had been Molly's lovers in the days before they reached their current eminence. Clive is Britain's most successful modern composer; Vernon is editor of the quality broadsheet "The Judge." Gorgeous, feisty Molly had other lovers, too, notably Julian Garmony, Foreign Secretary, a notorious right-winger tipped to be the next prime minister. In the days that follow Molly's funeral, Clive and Vernon will make a pact with consequences neither has foreseen. Each will make a disastrous moral decision, their friendship will be tested to its limits, and Julian Garmony will be fighting for his political life. A contemporary morality tale that is as profound as it is witty, this short novel is perhaps the most purely enjoyable fiction Ian McEwan has ever written. And why Amsterdam? What happens there to Clive and Vernon is the most delicious shock in a novel brimming with surprises. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Allen Crags beautiful chair champagne Clive Linley Concertgebouw deputy foreign editor desk door dress drink Esk Hause eyes face feel felt foreign secretary Frank Dibben friends front fucking Garmony's gaze George Lane gin and tonic Glaramara glass half hand head heard IAN MCEWAN Jean Judge Julian Garmony kitchen knew Lake District Lanark late Lettice lift listening looked melody ment mind minutes Molly's morning Nessun dorma never night notes Ode to Joy orchestra paper paused Perhaps photographs piano piece police pushed reached rehearsal rock round running Scafell Pike seemed silence someone sound standing steps stood story studio surely symphony talk taxi thing thought tion told Tony Montano took transvestite Tuareg turned Vernon Halliday voice waiting walk week window woman وو