Amsterdam

Ian McEwan is an English novelist and screenwriter. His novel, Amsterdan won the Man Booker prize in 1998. Amsterdam is a contemporary morality tale that is as profound as it is witty.

The novel begins at the funeral of Molly, who has died of a debilitating, progressive neurological disease. She is survived by George, her husband, as well as by several past lovers, who have all have assembled at her funeral to pay their last respects. Clive and Vernon are very old friends and share a common dislike for Garmony and George. George on the other hand is a shrewd businessman who does not care for any of the other three and maintains only the most superficial acquaintance with them. After Molly's funeral, both Vernon and Clive begin to experience odd neurological symptoms and make a mutual pact to help each other commit suicide in order to prevent suffering. George discovers some very personal photographs of Garmony in drag and wants to publish these photographs for personal gain. The story goes on to see justice done and is extremely funny in a dark sort of way. Politics, vengeance and power play are the predominant themes of this compelling novel.