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McEwan, IanMcEwan, Ianthe cleaning lady’s son Robbie. That nightsomething truly terrible happens, whichwill dramatically change the lives ofCecilia, Robbie and herself.On Chesil BeachThe year is 1962. Florence, the daughterof a successful businessman, is a talentedmusician. She dreams of a career on theconcert stage and of the perfect lifewith Edward, the earnest young historystudent. From the precise and intimatedepiction of two young lovers eager torise above the hurts and confusion of thepast, this is an extraordinary explorationof how the entire course of a life can bechanged—by a gesture not made or aword not spoken.SaturdayHenry Perowne is a contented man,a successful neurosurgeon, a devotedhusband and the proud father of twogrown-up children. Unusually, he wakesbefore dawn, drawn to the window ofhis bedroom and filled with a growingunease. What troubles him as he looksout at the night sky is the state of theworld, the impending war against Iraq, agathering pessimism since 9/11 and a fearthat his city, its openness and diversity,and his happy family life are underthreat.54