Atonement is, as the title suggests, a book about redemption and coming to terms with the past and atoning for past transgressions but more than that, Melissa Ingoldsby’s book is about love and its power to restore and heal, through affection and reassurance and consistency.
It starts excitingly with two men, Edward and John, on the run, trying desperately to get to Mexico to start a new life together. Edward is the instigator of John’s release, and it’s not surprising, in light of this, to learn that John seems considerably more fragile than Edward. Details about their relationship come out through the story, as to why Edward felt it necessary to break John out of jail and how John found himself there in the first place.
What develops once the men are together is the progression of their relationship. We learn that there is an age difference; we learn more about the men’s backgrounds and how disparate they are; we learn about how being together means sacrificing their previous identities to a degree; we learn about their hopes and aspirations for the future. This is done through some well-conceived dialogue which brings their characters to life.
It is in the development of the relationship that the strength of this book lies and its representation of what may be perceived as an unusual partnership. However, the book has an optimistic feeling to it and that translates to the message that love can be found in unusual places and that it can flourish, despite the difficulties although it may need to be transplanted elsewhere. The novel deals with the growth of their attraction into something more committed and solid.
Personally, I would have liked to have seen more about how Edward and John came together in the first place and I felt like the reason for John being in prison was underplayed; however I know that there is a book before this called Half Paper Moon which I have not read and these things could well have been covered there. There are moments in the book where John’s behaviour indicates past trauma and I wondered if these could be developed more with a higher level of intensity as they are bound to shake the bedrock of any relationship especially in the early stages: it’s discussed but I felt it could be more.
However, that being said, the book flows and the story reaches a satisfying conclusion which offers resolution after crisis and the chance of a better future with past conflicts steadied and shared dreams fulfilled. For fans of contemporary romance, this will satisfy, for sure.
Rachel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Scuffed Granny 