Solar cover art

Solar

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Solar

By: Ian McEwan
Narrated by: Roger Allam
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About this listen

Michael Beard is a Nobel prize-winning physicist whose best work is behind him. Trading on his reputation, he speaks for enormous fees, lends his name to the letterheads of renowned scientific institutions and half-heartedly heads a government-backed initiative tackling global warming. A compulsive womaniser, Beard finds his fifth marriage floundering. But this time it is different: she is having the affair, and he is still in love with her.

When Beard's professional and personal worlds collide in a freak accident, an opportunity presents itself for Beard to extricate himself from his marital mess, reinvigorate his career and save the world from environmental disaster.

Ranging from the Arctic Circle to the deserts of New Mexico, SOLAR is a serious and darkly satirical novel, showing human frailty struggling with the most pressing and complex problem of our time.A story of one man's greed and self-deception, it is a profound and stylish new work from one of the world's great writers.

 Dark Humour Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Satire Comedy Witty Feel-Good Funny Thought-Provoking Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

McEwan's pure, direct prose always lends itself well to audio... Roger Allam's studiously straight-faced reading sets the perfect tone for this subtle satire.
All stars
Most relevant
An amusing black comedy, a parable of modern consumer society and an exposition of global warming. I was surprised to enjoy my time spent with such an unpleasant main protagonist but the irony and sarcasm are perfectly British and the plot twist around a third of the way through led the story down a compelling path. I started out with some tredipation that it was going to preach but although McEwan gets the point across he leaves the humour to do the work amidst some brilliant writing and excellent narration.

Black comedy

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this book is funny.

some of the observations on the politically correct thought process are simply hilarious.

many laugh out loud moments in general. narrator makes it even more enjoyable. the deadpan style fits perfectly.

funny.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this, very well narrated and with a fascinating interview with the author at the end that gives real insight into the writing process.

Funny and gripping

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And enjoyed it just as much. It’s really original, thought provoking and funny absolutely brilliant!

Just listened for the second time

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

McEwan 's talent for observing the weaknesses and ridiculous in human beings,then turning it all into totally believable characters, in which we can all see bits of ourselves.If you want to read a highly amusing, very intelligent fiction about climate change, intermingled with a ripping yarn, then read this book.!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Solar?

Maybe the trip to the artic! But generally Just the slow build up of event after event for the pompous Beard.

What about Roger Allam’s performance did you like?

Excellent, faultless. If there was a film of the book I can see Allam in it. (with padding of course!)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

um, no. Nice to spread it out a bit.

Any additional comments?

You also learn a lot! Highly recomended.

Globally Very Warming!

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