Moral ambiguity is a
feature in most of McEwan’s writing and this new novel is no exception. Fiona Maye is a High Court judge specializing
in family disputes – divorce, child custody and the like. She has recently presided over a sensational judgment
involving conjoined twins and has had to make, as she often does, a judgment of
Solomon. Despite dealing daily with
children’s problems, she has somehow neglected to have any of her own until it
is out of the question – not a conscious decision, but irrevocable. Her husband has just told her he is going to
have an affair. As she struggles with
this shocking announcement after 30 years of a happy marriage, she is called
into court quickly decide whether an almost-18-year-old Jehovah’s Witness is
competent to make his own decision to refuse a life-saving blood
transfusion. When she visits his
hospital bedside, she is taken with his maturity and beauty. Does she come too involved to make an
impartial decision, and how will this decision ultimately turn out. Much to think about and discuss in this short
book. 231 pp.
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