Saturday

by Ian McEwan
Saturday cover
Good Books rating 3.69
Literary Fiction
Buy online
Bookshop
Format • £9.49–£15.19
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 3139
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781409090083
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2010-03-11
  • Formats: 17
  • Reviews: 4

Saturday follows Henry Perowne, a successful neurosurgeon, as he navigates a day filled with unease and tension in post-9/11 London. The novel opens with Perowne witnessing a fiery plane arcing across the sky, setting the tone for a day that will challenge his sense of security and happiness. As he moves through the city amidst massive anti-war protests, a minor car accident brings him face-to-face with Baxter, a man who appears profoundly unwell and whose aggressive behavior hints at darker intentions. The story escalates when Baxter makes a sudden appearance at Perowne's family home, forcing Henry to confront his earlier fears. Ian McEwan's novel is a profound exploration of fragility, violence, and the unpredictability of life, beautifully capturing the tension between personal and political worlds.

Reviews
Literary Review · Matt Thorne · 2025-12-22
elegant 4.75

The novel is elegant and sophisticated, beautifully written and creates a sense of unease. It is a remarkable piece of literature.

Matt Thorne describes Saturday as an elegant and sophisticated novel that is beautifully written. They appreciate the way it creates a sense of unease, making it a compelling read. Thorne highlights the novel's sophistication and the skillful way McEwan crafts his narrative. They believe it is a remarkable piece of literature that showcases McEwan's ability to create a rich and engaging story. The novel's exploration of themes and its nuanced characters are particularly noteworthy.

Quick quotes

    This is an elegant and sophisticated novel, which is beautifully written.

    It creates a wonderful sense of unease.

    It is a remarkable piece of literature.

Oceanwriter Reads · 2025-04-10
disappointing 2.00

The reviewer enjoys stream-of-consciousness stories but finds the main character dull and unengaging. The novel falls short of expectations.

This reviewer typically enjoys stream-of-consciousness narratives but found the protagonist of 'Saturday' to be painfully dull. They express disappointment with the character development, which they believe detracts from the overall reading experience. While they acknowledge the novel's potential, they feel it fails to deliver a compelling story due to the uninteresting main character. Their perspective highlights the importance of engaging characters in maintaining the reader's interest throughout the narrative.

Quick quotes

    I typically enjoy stream-of-consciousness stories, but not when the character is painfully dull.

    The main character's lack of depth makes the novel feel flat and unengaging.

    This book had so much potential, but the dull protagonist lets it down.

Free Range Reading · 2010-04-09
important 3.50

The novel is flawed but important, offering a unique exploration of post-9/11 trauma. It stands out for its ambitious themes despite its shortcomings.

This reviewer acknowledges that 'Saturday' has its flaws but still considers it an important novel. They appreciate the book's ambitious attempt to explore the trauma of the post-9/11 world, which they believe hasn't been fully captured in any other novel. While they note its imperfections, they think it's a significant work that contributes meaningfully to contemporary literature. The reviewer's perspective highlights the book's relevance and its bold approach to a complex subject matter.

Quick quotes

    Saturday is a flawed novel in many ways, but it is still an important one.

    There has yet to be a fully successful novel exploring the trauma of our post-9/11 world.

    It is a novel that demands attention and respect for its ambitious scope.

The Guardian · Tim Adams · 2005-01-30
dazzling 4.50

The novel is dazzling and explores society through a single day in a unique way. The reviewer finds it captivating and thought-provoking.

Tim Adams from The Guardian praises 'Saturday' as a dazzling novel that uses a single day to explore broader societal themes. They find the narrative captivating and the day depicted unlike any other Saturday. Adams appreciates McEwan's ability to weave a compelling story that invites readers to reflect on the complexities of modern life. Their review highlights the novel's sophistication and its ability to engage readers with its richly detailed and thought-provoking content.

Quick quotes

    Ian McEwan's dazzling novel takes just a single day to explore society itself.

    This is a Saturday like no other.

    It is a novel that invites reflection on the intricacies of modern life.

Appears in Lists