Most of the members of our group found the discussion far more interesting than the experience of reading 'Atonement'. The language and ideas were beautiful and moving, and McEwan nailed the inner life of the 13 year-old drama queen, but the plot points were so plodding (something the author self-parodies at the end) that many members of the group turned off. *Spoiler* We were completely divided by the 'cheat' at the end. The optimists among us were flummoxed, while the realists cheered (especially those who took issue with the 'Life of Pi'). I recommend it, but don't be in a hurry for it to go where it's going: relax and enjoy an extraordinary depiction of the characters' psychological and emotional lives.