50 pages • 1 hour read
Sweet Tooth
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Book Brief
400
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 1970s
2012
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Ian McEwan's 2012 novel, Sweet Tooth, set in the 1970s, Serena Frome becomes embroiled with MI5 and the literary world, balancing power and navigating deceit as she is recruited to covertly support politically suitable writers. As her relationship with writer Thomas Haley develops, Serena struggles with the moral complexities and emotional turmoil of her secret professional life. Topics include manipulation and deceit.
Mysterious
Romantic
Contemplative
Emotional
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
55,934 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Reviews of Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan highlight its clever blend of espionage and literary fiction. Positives include McEwan's masterful storytelling and complex character development. However, some critics find the narrative pacing slow and the romantic subplot unconvincing. Overall, it’s praised for its wit and engaging prose, despite occasional structural flaws.
Who Should Read Sweet Tooth?
Readers who relish literary espionage and intricate narrations in a Cold War setting will enjoy Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan. Fans of John le Carré’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Julian Barnes’ The Sense of an Ending will find the novel’s blend of suspense and introspection particularly appealing.
55,934 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Thomas Haley
Thomas Haley
An academic and writer who is drawn into the world of espionage, grappling with the boundaries between his scholarly pursuits and fictional narratives.
Tony Canning
Tony Canning
A Cambridge lecturer with a mysterious past in intelligence who has an affair with Serena, playing a significant role in her introduction to the world of spying.
Max Greatorex
Max Greatorex
An MI5 agent who serves as Serena's introduction to the everyday workings of the agency, he struggles with professionalism and personal feelings toward Serena.
400
Novel • Fiction
London, England • 1970s
2012
Adult
18+ years
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