Solar

by Ian McEwan
Solar cover
Good Books rating 2.83
Literary Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 3141
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780099549024
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3

Michael Beard is a Nobel Prize-winning physicist whose best work is behind him. Now, he trades on his reputation, giving high-fee speeches and lending his name to prestigious scientific institutions. His life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes entangled in a web of personal and professional scandals, all while grappling with the consequences of his past actions. /n/n As Beard navigates through a series of misadventures, the novel explores themes of ambition, morality, and the human condition. With sharp wit and insightful commentary, the story delves into the complexities of modern science and the ethical dilemmas that arise from its pursuit.

Reviews
Mark Gorman's Blog · Mark Gorman · 2019-12-16
boring 1.00

The book is boring and filled with long, ponderous descriptive set pieces.

The reviewer finds the book boring and criticizes the long, descriptive set pieces and deep examinations of characters. They feel that these elements make the book tedious and unengaging. The reviewer's overall impression is that the book lacks excitement and fails to hold their interest.

Quick quotes

    It's just plain boring from start to finish, is the problem.

    Long ponderous descriptive set pieces, deep dive examinations of a character's ...

    The book is a slog to get through and offers little in the way of entertainment.

The Guardian · John Lezard · 2011-02-26
witty 4.00

The book is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and darkly comic elements, but it also has a serious underlying concern about climate change.

This review highlights the book's humorous and darkly comic aspects, which make it an enjoyable read. The reviewer appreciates the witty turns of phrase and the laugh-out-loud moments, but also acknowledges the book's deeper, more serious themes. They note that the book's concern about climate change adds a layer of complexity that keeps it engaging.

Quick quotes

    It has many laugh-out-loud moments and turns of phrase; it has a darkly comic thrust; but, because deep down it really is concerned about ...

    McEwan has a gift for the telling detail and the well-turned phrase.

    It's a sly, sardonic novel about a dislikable English physicist and philanderer named Michael Beard.

Whispering Gums · 2010-07-30
enjoyable 3.50

The book is flawed but McEwan's talent makes it enjoyable and readable.

The reviewer finds the book flawed but still enjoyable due to McEwan's talent. They appreciate the readability and the engaging narrative, despite some shortcomings. The reviewer suggests that McEwan's skill as a writer keeps the story interesting and worth reading, even if it's not perfect.

Quick quotes

    Essentially, it's flawed but McEwan's talent keeps it enjoyable and readable anyway, yes?

    It's a nice review WG.

    A nice review WG. Essentially, it's flawed but McEwan's talent keeps it enjoyable and readable anyway, yes?

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