Lessons is the 17th novel by the author Ian McEwan,[1] published in 2022 by Jonathan Cape.[2] The book is considered by some to be his most autobiographical novel to date with the central character, Roland Baines written as being born in June 1948, the same as McEwan.[3][4] Another reviewer has described it as a 'boomer parable'.[5]
The story covers some 70 years of the fictional life of Roland Baines, including his relationships with his parents, siblings and partners, as well details of his homelife and work against the backdrop of mid 20th century historical events.[6][7] This includes a focus around the issues when Roland as a 14-year-old schoolboy is seduced by his piano teacher Miss Miriam Cornell and the subsequent effects it has on his life.[8][6][1] Global events that affect Roland include Decolonization, the Cold War, the Chernobyl disaster, Brexit, COVID-19.[6][7]
Reception
According to Book Marks, the book received a "positive" consensus, based on forty critics: twenty-three "rave", ten "positive", four "mixed", and three "pan".[9] In the November/December 2022 issue Bookmarks, the book was rated four out of five. The magazine's critical summary reads: "Most readers will embrace McEwan's shimmering prose and the small dramas and revelations that mark this "deep and wide, ambitious, humble, wise and substantial" work (New Statesman)".[10][11]
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