Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Nutshell
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
Trudy has betrayed her husband, John. She's still in the marital home a dilapidated, priceless London townhouse but not with John. Instead, she's with his brother, the profoundly banal Claude, and the two of them have a plan. But there is a witness to their plot: the inquisitive, nine-month-old resident of Trudy's womb. Told from a perspective unlike any other, Nutshell is a classic tale of murder and deceit from one of the worlds master storytellers.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
magyklyXdelish
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

I genuinely don‘t know what will surpass Nutshell as the most trash book this year. It‘s set the bar pretty damn low 💩

#ReadingBracket2024 ➡️ @CSeydel

monalyisha Omg who made this? 😅😆🙈 Too funny. 2w
18 likes2 comments
blurb
RobES
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

Birthday book haul! Going on an Ian McEwan binge as I'm going to hear him speak at the Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy at the end of the month! Any McEwan recommendations? I'm reading Lessons at the minute!

AmyG Happy Birthday 🎂 11mo
MicheleinPhilly Atonement. Forever and ever and ever AMEN. 11mo
JessClark78 Happy Birthday! 🎊🎂🎉 11mo
See All 7 Comments
jlhammar Happy Birthday! I second @MicheleinPhilly ‘s Atonement recommendation. Loved that book. Nutshell was also surprisingly wonderful (I did audio). I also really enjoyed On Chesil Beach, Sweet Tooth and Amsterdam. Looking forward to Lessons! 11mo
Ruthiella Happy Birthday! 🥳🥳🥳 11mo
IuliaC Happy birthday! 🎁🎈 11mo
UwannaPublishme Glad you‘re treating yourself! Happiest Birthday to you! 🥳🎂 11mo
47 likes7 comments
review
AshleyHoss820
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

Hamlet, but if Hamlet were in utero. Stay with me; it‘s amazing. Even though the plot of Hamlet is so well-known to me, I was still hoping against hope that it would change in this story. It‘s so interesting and insightful. McEwan is one of those authors who, even if you‘re not sure about the book, still manages to get under your skin.

Clare-Dragonfly What. 🤯 I haven‘t read McEwan since Namesake, but that was so great and I love Hamlet. I‘ll have to give this a try. 1y
BarbaraBB Great review! 1y
AshleyHoss820 @Clare-Dragonfly I really enjoyed this one! I have had a love/hate relationship with McEwan for awhile…like, I hate how much I love him…😂 I read Enduring Love years ago and I *still* think I about it. I hope you enjoy this! ☺️ 1y
AshleyHoss820 @BarbaraBB Thank you!! ☺️ 1y
33 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
jlhammar
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

A Hamlet retelling from the POV of a fetus? Sounds bizarre, and it is, but really good and so funny. Great audiobook.

#Hilarious #MayMoms
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Great choice 🤗 2y
BeeMagical This sounds so interesting!! 2y
50 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
BookwormM
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

Of all the McEwan books I have read no 2 are the same some I loved, some I hated and some like this one I really enjoyed.

The unborn child narrator is genius as is the way McEwan explains how he gets his knowledge.

The fact that there were no likeable characters and that I still cared about what would happen is the sign of a great story.

McEwan has a great turn of phrase and there were several quotes I would share if I could remember them 🤣🤣

review
Sonasandhu
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Mehso-so

It‘s a novella, only of 198 pages in total. Ian McEwan‘s prose is impeccable as his taste for varied themes. This is a rewriting of Hamlet but the Hamlet here is yet unborn. Foetus hears the planning of his father‘s murder by the duo (his mother and his uncle) and decides to avenge his father in a strange manner by strangling himself with umbilical cord.Here the novel differs from the original as the fate of the Hamlet is suspended too.

blurb
Helen19
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

#incipient - just beginning or just coming into existence #beautifulwords Trudy has betrayed her husband, John. She's still in the marital home – a dilapidated, priceless London townhouse – but not with John. Instead, she's with his brother, the profoundly banal Claude, and the two of them have a plan. But there is a witness to their plot: the inquisitive, nine-month-old resident of Trudy's womb. Hopefully not too tenuous!!

OriginalCyn620 I really want to read this! 4y
Helen19 @OriginalCyn620 it‘s very odd but good! 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Sounds good!! 4y
10 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
Andrew65
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

Book 2 finished for #24B4Mobday

Well this wasn‘t what I expected. A very different & unique book told from the perspective of a mother‘s 9 month old foetus. A good murder mystery & in typical Ian McEwan style it is told in a great lyrical style. This was an enjoyable read, but I can see that it might be a book that some people don‘t like. Rory Kinnear did a great job of narrating the book and I think it is a book that works well in this format.

mollyrotondo Wow is it short? You read it so fast! 4y
Andrew65 @mollyrotondo Yes only 224 pages and read it on one session. 4y
76 likes3 comments
blurb
Andrew65
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

A slow start to the #24B4Monday Readathon die to big work commitments today due to the star (villain) of 2020. Thanks COVID,

So far got to 2 1/2 hours and finished off The Fire Witness by Lars Kepler, review to come.

Now started Nutshell by Ian McEwan, third book this month for #Authoramonth

Leftcoastzen I really enjoyed this book! 4y
Andrew65 @Leftcoastzen Very different but have enjoyed it a lot. 4y
63 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Eggs
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

Clever story of murder and deceit told from the POV of a baby growing in the womb of protagonist Trudy. Trudy kicked out her husband John and has taken up with John‘s brother!

#authoramonth @Soubhiville May 2020: Ian McEwan

BookishMe Fascinating plot! 4y
Eggs Engaging! @BookishMe 4y
68 likes2 comments
blurb
TheEllieMo
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

I think an unborn baby with a great knowledge of wine counts as an #UnusualNarrator!

#BiblioMAYnia
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 I really want to read this one now! 4y
Leftcoastzen I read it recently and really liked it. 4y
33 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
erzascarletbookgasm
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

#BiblioMAYnia
This has an #unusualnarrator . I enjoyed it.

Cathythoughts Sounds really good ❤️👍🏻 4y
OriginalCyn620 Stacked it! 4y
58 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
tjwill
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

This was not exactly what I was expecting when I picked this one, but it was intriguing. The narrator is the unborn child of Trudy and John, and he is very intuitive about what is happening in his home. His parents are separated, mostly because Trudy is sleeping with Claude now, and the two are planning to kill John. The narration is poetic, which is fitting because John is a poet, and he used to read to Trudy and the baby often.

#AuthoraMonth

tjwill @Soubhiville I said I didn‘t read a McEwan in May, but I read it at the beginning of the month and have been so spacey that I forgot. I don‘t know how I did that since it was a very different sort of book. +1 #AAMIME 4y
51 likes1 comment
review
LauraJ
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

A unique thriller told from the perspective of a fetus.
#AuthorAMonth

review
Leftcoastzen
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

#bookspin for April! Beautiful writing with a spin on Hamlet .Trudy and Claude plan to do harm to John , Trudys husband & Claudes brother .Trudy is pregnant with Johns baby who narrates this tale of unsavory characters.It was nice to start this day slow , finishing this in bed before the coffee. Philosophical, lyrical, smart .

Suet624 Before the coffee?! 4y
Cuilin I quite liked this book too. 4y
Leftcoastzen @Suet624 if I get up and go to the kitchen , the cats make me feed them.😂😻 4y
See All 7 Comments
Leftcoastzen @Cuilin I liked it a lot , more than I thought I would . 4y
Cosmos_Moon I loved this book, too. I read Saturday by him a few months ago, and I was pretty disappointed. 4y
Leftcoastzen @Cosmos_Moon I haven‘t read that one , maybe I‘ll stay away. My next one by him will be this one because I have it in the house 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Great review! 4y
43 likes1 stack add7 comments
blurb
Leftcoastzen
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

My #bookspin for April! I have to be honest , I have a few chapters left in my March selection, I will probably finish it this weekend, fun challenge !
Thanks, @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
39 likes1 comment
blurb
Leftcoastzen
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

#Bookspin for April, I left 9 in from last month , so 11 are new .1.Blow up & other stories 20.Desk 88 .so left to right , top to bottom. I feel they are all winners or I would have culled them from #TBRMountain

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo! Great stack!! 4y
merelybookish An eclectic stack! 🙂 4y
55 likes2 comments
blurb
TheEllieMo
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

The tagged book is a modern take on Hamlet from the perspective of a #BabyBabe in the womb. A little odd but a good read.

#AugustABC @Eggs

Eggs Sounds intriguing!! 5y
43 likes1 comment
blurb
erzascarletbookgasm
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

It‘s certainly #unusual for a story to be told from the perspective of an unborn child. I‘ve enjoyed reading it. 👍

#augustabc

Eggs I‘m definitely intrigued! Good call! 5y
64 likes1 comment
blurb
TheEllieMo
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

Hamlet, written from the perspective of a baby in the womb. A foetus with a discerning taste in wine. What‘s not to like?

#Babies #AyUpAugust

@squirrelbrain @Cinfhen

squirrelbrain Sounds rather odd! 🤷‍♀️ 5y
TheEllieMo @squirrelbrain odd but good. The unborn baby narrator is hilarious! 5y
LapReader I loved the babe‘s wine descriptions. 5y
squirrelbrain Stacked it then... 😁 5y
Cinfhen GREAT CHOICE 🙌🏻 5y
36 likes2 stack adds5 comments
review
Ubookquitous
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Mehso-so

McEwan‘s prose is as beautiful as ever, and I had trouble sustaining a willing disbelief of his narrator‘s situation. There were brilliant moments and deft plays on Hamlet (and other Shakespeare plays) and some insight into issues of modern man, but the story was unoriginal in any way and left me wondering why I bothered. Going backwards on posting finished books no.50

review
Freespirit
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

Just finished listening to this retelling of Shakespeare‘s Hamlet by Ian McEwan and I thought it was really clever. The story is told by a very well spoken child in utero!!
I thought it was funny and I loved the descriptive writing. I would now like to read another Shakespearean retelling ❤️ #retelling #hamlet #literature

LapReader Margaret Atwood did one that was supposed to be good. 5y
Freespirit I have it in my huge mountain of books to be read Allissa @LapReader Hag Seed. I might have to read it next🌷 5y
Aimeesue Hag-Seed is part of the Hogarth Shakespeare series of modern retellings, and probably the best. Vinegar Girl is also good. Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres is a retelling of King Lear. My favorite is Stoppard's Rosencrantz andGuildenstern are Dead, but that's a play and best watched; it's what the minor characters are talking about/doing when the major characters are "on stage." (edited) 5y
Aimeesue I kinda have a thing for retellings. 😁 5y
Freespirit Thank you @Aimeesue 😘I will be on the lookout for some of those books. This was my first retelling and I liked it a lot! 5y
37 likes1 stack add5 comments
review
Astroneman
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

A surprising novel, a unique thriller of its kind told by the new Hamlet that a murderous mother carries in her lap. A standing ovation novel.

#book #readingchallenge2019 #litsy #toread #bookly #bookworm #ianmcewan #goodreads #nutshell #thriller

39 likes2 stack adds
review
Cosmos_Moon
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

“The rest is chaos.” Interesting perspective of a mother-son relationship, while in-utero. Overall good read with artful use of language. Now I‘m sitting in the car with my boys, listening to Fiona Apple‘s “The Child is Gone”.

blurb
JennyM
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

Quite literally, #WeveOnlyJustBegun, this story is told from the perspective of an unborn child. A retelling of Shakespeare‘s Hamlet, it is one quirky read!

#MayMovieMagic

erzascarletbookgasm Definitely unconventional but I liked it! 5y
Cinfhen Really liked this one! McEwan is pretty much a genius 5y
JennyM @erzascarletbookgasm @cinfhen it was so different - clever idea 💡 5y
See All 8 Comments
Buechersuechtling @JennyM Do I need to know Hamlet before I read it❓ 5y
JennyM @Buechersuechtling no, definitely not..unless you want to 😜 5y
RohitSawant Great pick! 5y
JennyM @rohit-sawant I love these challenges- makes you think about some of your past reads 😊 5y
BooknerdsLife Oh that‘s a clever pick! 🙌🏼 5y
72 likes8 comments
review
rachaich
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Mehso-so

I'm undecided.
Very clever, full of wit and obviously a completely different perspective of the world and relationships.
But didn't appeal to me.
I've read a few others and adored them so this won't put me off!

blurb
rachaich
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

Book club for March.
So far I'm appreciating the concept but finding it's not gripping me.

quote
Fed
Nel guscio | Ian McEwan
post image
Astroneman È tra i libri della mia Tbr! 5y
Fed Non a livelli di Espiazione secondo me, ma comunque un‘ottima lettura :) 5y
3 likes2 comments
blurb
ephemeralwaltz
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

In this Hamlet-inspired novel, McEwan takes on the task of writing from the perspective of a fetus, who narrates everything he hears from inside the womb... #TBR
#Pregnant #SeptemberDanes @Kalalalatja @Cinfhen

Kalalalatja Great pick! 👏👏 6y
Cathythoughts Great pic & great picture 💛 6y
JennyM Ooo, great pick. This is on my TBR as well 6y
See All 6 Comments
Tashreads I just finished it. Love Ian McEwan. It was good, but not my favourite of his :) my ❤️ belongs to Atonement. 6y
TrishB About to do this one! Great minds 👍🏻 (edited) 6y
ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I loved this one. The baby was so very Stewie 😂 6y
85 likes3 stack adds6 comments
review
ericas
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Mehso-so

Between a thriller and a horror story. A murder seen through the ears of a not-yet-born baby. The pregnant mother plans to kill his father with the help of her lover who is also his uncle. The castle in Denmark is substituted by a Georgian building. The shadow of the Shakespearean Hamlet develops himself through the crime and the main character's stream of dubitative consciousness. Mainly well written, the end could have been better exploited.

review
MaGoose
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Bailedbailed

Couldn't get past the first few minutes of this audiobook with the unborn son (I guess) talking/thinking while he's still inside his mother. Uh, yeah.

RaimeyGallant Too bad. 6y
11 likes1 comment
blurb
suvata
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

Yay! I did it. #12inTwo
Total: 12 hours 39 minuets

review
suvata
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

John Cairncross is unhappy. His wife is cheating on him. She has kicked him out of their home. She has plans ... devious plans ... deadly plans — all of it observed and narrated by her fetus. Yep. You heard me right! An amazingly brilliant mystery.

63 likes3 stack adds
review
Lauren_reading
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

That was a very different book - POV the fetus. An interesting take on Hamlet. It was weird, but I liked it. I‘m oddly a little jealous of the baby‘s knowledge of wine and his extensive vocabulary. That mother, uncle, father though...ugh!

review
rmaclean4
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Mehso-so

Book two of #24in48 completed. What a strange novel this was for me. I read it for a book club. I don't think I would have chosen it on my own. Only book I have ever read from a fetuses point of view! Written well enough to finish it...but not one I would recommend.

Readerann Hmmm. McEwan has been hit or miss for me (mostly hit). I‘m not sure if I want to spend time with this one, though. 🤔 6y
16 likes1 comment
blurb
rmaclean4
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

Morning...getting started on my first read of #24in48! We are having thunderstorms...my favorite reading weather.

review
KadeLexical
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
Pickpick

Can a fetus be pompous? Yes. And he is here, but damn, this is a neat premise and despite the slow start I was rooting for this little unborn savant. His vocabulary is excellent, keep your dictionary (or dictionary app) close with this one.

5 likes1 stack add
blurb
AngelicaLuvsBooks
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

I've been feeling like I need a break from Sing, Unburied, Sing so I decided to get an early start on this month's book club read. I've never read any books by this author. Thoughts?

Booksnchill SUS- so much vomit! I took several breaks!! 6y
AngelicaLuvsBooks Oh no. That's what I'm afraid of. The ladies in my book club said either you'll love it or you wont lil Thanks for the heads up! 6y
8 likes2 comments
blurb
erzascarletbookgasm
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

#emojimadness #🥜 Automatically I‘ll think of Peanuts Snoopy and Charlie Brown 😁. This is another book that comes to mind, closest I can get to any nuts. 😆

quote
Little_Reader
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

Taken out of context, this is hilarious! 😂

SandyW 😲😂😂 6y
27 likes1 comment
blurb
Simona
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

How beautiful fragrant my package is! I have to admit, that I was expecting something in connection with Nutella and my breakfast today was real treat 😋 I was so eagerly anticipating this day, and officially I can confirm that I have a new favorite mug😍 I wanted to order it, but I always convinced myself that I don‘t need it ... the same goes for the book. When it was published I was so intrigued, but then I kinda forgot about it. Thank you...👇

Simona Cindy for your #MugLove for all teas, coffees, chocolates and other little things, you made my day❣️And of course, thank you @TheKidUpstairs for organizing this exchange🙏😘 6y
Cinfhen So glad you like everything 😘😘I know I cheated with the book🙈Enjoy 6y
Kalalalatja Everything looks really lovely! 👍 6y
See All 21 Comments
batsy Wonderful! And that tiny Strand tote! 6y
Simona @Cinfhen I‘m not complaining, at all... actually, I‘m very, very glad that you cheated🤩😘 (P.S. I have so sweet-smelling feet🤭🤫) I genuinely like everything you pick for me and I‘m very thankful for your generosity ❤️❤️❤️🙏 6y
Cinfhen With pleasure....it was a fun idea😍thanks again @TheKidUpstairs 6y
Izai.Amorim With such a package I‘d go nuts as well 😂 (edited) 6y
TrishB Fab stuff 👍🏻 6y
BookishMe What a Bounty! 👍🏽enjoy 👍🏽 6y
merelybookish That mug is great! 6y
TheKidUpstairs Fantastic mug! A lovely way to start the day 😁 6y
Simona @TheKidUpstairs It‘s the best way to start the day❣️ Thank you again for all your effort😘 6y
Simona @merelybookish It is and I was surprised at the size ... on the pictures looks smaller. 6y
Simona @BookishMe Thanks 😘 6y
Simona @TrishB With the great pleasure I absolutely agree with you 😘 6y
Simona @Izai.Amorim I have already calmed down a bit 😅 6y
Simona @batsy It‘s really sweet key ring ❤️ 6y
Simona @Kalalalatja Thanks to the @Cinfhen 😘 6y
RohitSawant How awesome! 6y
Mdargusch I love that mug! 6y
LeahBergen I have this mug and I love it! 6y
76 likes21 comments
blurb
RobinCFarrell
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image

I heard about this book on "The Librarian Is In," a podcast I love more and more each day. It's not the kind of book I would normally be drawn to but I am strangely compelled by the premise...

#hamlet #thelibrarianisin #bookpodcast #podcast #nutshell #bookrec

BeckyRoy I listened to the same podcast and want to read this book! !!! 6y
8 likes1 comment
review
Skybariline
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

This is my first McEwan: a clever and funny retelling of Hamlet from the perspective of an unborn fetus. The precise writing turns an absurd premise into a legitimate story. The audiobook narrator credibly portrays the erudite fetus a la Stevie Griffin from Family Guy. I really enjoyed this.

37 likes1 stack add
review
Miss__astrid
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

A book club pick I‘m very glad I read! I didn‘t particularly liked Sweet Tooth so I was a bit worried about another Ian McEwan book but I couldn‘t put it down. Loved the very particular angle of it!

review
amma-keep-reading
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
Pickpick

Such a unique concept. I loved the narrator for the audiobook.

4 likes1 stack add
review
Sweettartlaura
Nutshell | Ian McEwan
post image
Pickpick

Imagine Stewie from Family Guy in the womb, witnessing a plot to murder.

Enjoy!

AmyG That is some description. 6y
Sweettartlaura It‘s some book, @AmyG 😉 6y
33 likes2 comments