On Chesil Beach

July 1962 and Florence and Edward, who had been married in the morning, arrive to spend the beginning of their marriage at Chesil Beach in Dorset. Looming over both of them are fears involving the consummation of their marriage that evening. Florence and Edward come from different backgrounds, from very different families. They have become good friends and love each other but are they really ready for marriage?

In On Chesil Beach Ian McEwan provides an account of the thoughts and actions of the young couple on this important night in their young lives. Meanwhile the  reader discovers the back story of their different lives and how they accidentally met. 

The 1960s saw many changes in society, especially for younger people, but for Florence and Edward this was a future still to come. Decisions made at Chesil Beach would affect their lives, not just on that day but permanently.