What really happened in Atonement?

In real life, Robbie died of septicaemia while awaiting for the evacuation in Dunkirk and Cecilia died a couple of months later during the bombing of Balham tube station. Therefore, Briony decided to reunite the couple in her book as a way to compensate for the happiness that she robbed them when they were alive.

Why is Atonement so good?

Atonement is a fantastic and addicting novel that is full of surprising twists and turns. It presents the power of the human imagination and what can happen when our imaginations run wild. McEwan’s imaginative story, complicated characters, and immense detail make this book one of the most powerful books I have read.

What year does Atonement take place?

1935
In England in 1935, precocious 13-year-old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) lives on her family’s country estate with her mother and sister, Cecilia (Keira Knightley).

Is Atonement movie like the book?

The movie is the same. Thankfully, it speeds things up a bit, although it would be fair to say that Briony is made into more of a main character at the ward in the movie whereas, in the book, it focuses on her transition to a background character, which is kind of the whole point of her assuming that career path.

How old is Briony in the epilogue?

Leaping forward to 1999, we meet 77-year-old Briony as an established novelist, finishing up what will be her final manuscript: the novel we’ve just read, made of her memories, altered and reframed. She explains that Cecelia and Robbie really died in the Blitz and Dunkirk respectively.

How does Briony achieve Atonement?

Despite the immaturity of her attempts at self-inflicted punishment and retribution, Briony’s experiences as a nurse in London, as well as the turning point in her writing of Atonement – a purpose which comes to define the remainder of her long life – succeed in providing Briony with the ability to confess her …

How old is Robbie in Atonement movie?

Saoirse Ronan as Briony, aged 13, an aspiring novelist. Vanessa Redgrave as older Briony, now a successful novelist. Brenda Blethyn as Grace Turner, Robbie’s mother and the Tallis family housekeeper. Juno Temple as Lola Quincey, the visiting 15-year-old cousin of the Tallis siblings.

How old is Cecilia in Atonement movie?

Robbie’s passions, alas, are directed toward the elder Tallis sister, 23-year-old Cecilia (Keira Knightley).