Touching beautiful

Ian McEwan is a master of the English language, the dense storylines and profound character as well as environmental studies. With his sometimes almost satirical, always keen observations he shows the people in all its contradictions and holds our society merciless mirror to.
I have read many of his books, and they were all absolutely worth reading.

This also applies to The Children Act. For my taste, the novel leaves although a bit the gorgeous black, twisted humor of Amsterdam or solar miss, but again it goes back to human strengths and weaknesses, a crumbling relationship, controversial ethical issues and the unpredictability of life. Brief encounters have impact on our lives and the choices we make, timely unforeseen consequences.

Small note: In order to really enjoy language and expression of this novel, very good knowledge of English is required in my opinion. School English alone is not enough.

SPOILER WARNING!

McEwan tells the story from the perspective of the well-respected family court judge Fiona Maye, a woman of about 60, married and embedded in a professional and personal environment where everything goes on as usual (or seems to be).
Married but without children, Fiona focused on their profession. It is an excellent lawyer, professionally recognized and appreciated, and they know about the consequences of their decisions to intrude into the private lives of others. But as confident Fiona in their responsible job also is, it brings psychological burdens. When (and will) through and through rational person who can communicate difficult on an emotional level, however, they do not talk about these burdens. Your need for clear structures for order and rules that will help her in her profession, proves in her private life as a hindrance, because rarely follow feelings rules. Therefore, they can not really deal with them.

Her husband Jack she loves, but complains never knowing what really goes on in her. Ever married life of two has solidified over the decades in routine. Jack asks Fiona for their blessing to an affair with a younger woman - he stated that he wanted to feel alive again - and when she refuses outraged, he leaves the family home.
What remains is a deeply hurt and insecure woman who maintains outward appearances. Maximum disciplined she goes on to the agenda in order to displace the pain, the frustration and the fear of impending loneliness.
Jack returns after a few days in repentance, but the status of the broken marriage remains unclear long. Fiona dodges a clarifying conversation, for that would be to embark on an emotional level. This marriage in limbo understands the author to convey in a few short scenes, such as prepared in a breakfast scene in which Jack Coffee and his wife hinstellt a cup, a first tentative step towards reconciliation, a small movement toward the middle of the persistent silence.

But even so, the Fiona being processed, it requires emotional: The 17-year-old cancer patient Adam refused on religious grounds the blood transfusion that could save him, and it's Fiona's task to decide whether the hospital must treat him against his will. To get a picture of the young man, she visited him in the hospital.
The encounter is momentous. The judge and the young people are attracted to each other in an indefinite manner.
Fiona, painfully reminiscent of her own childlessness is, strangely touched by the pretty, intelligent and artistic young man. Adam again takes place in the judge who even makes music (classical music, jazz not because of not following the rules), unexpectedly a kindred spirit. In one of the nicest, most intimate moments of the novel he reads her one of his poems, and finally she sings to his game on the violin.

The decision of the judge is predictable. Although Adam is a very mature for his age young man, it is the child's welfare on the right to self-determination (it is a pleasure to read, as they weigh in their judgment and justified).

This takes the (tragic) history but only its course. Fiona's decision is one of many choices in their career that is also personal consequences.
Adam will be so far marked by his religious life suddenly in question. For the first time he looks at alternatives and desires. Fiona's decision saved his life, she has opened him a new perspective, but at the same time it takes him all safety and security, for his environment, his parents and his church, do not understand his rebellion. Seeking help, he turns to Fiona, convinced that (only) you can understand him.

But Fiona, who has become their judicial responsibilities fully comply with the human, moral responsibility is not grown. She feels strongly for Adam, knows the nature of their feelings but not to interpret. Overwhelmed by the emotional situation, it demarcates and recognizes Adams attempts to make contact with her, not for what they are: cries for help!

Finally, it needs just this human failure to finally break forth feelings of Fiona.