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Where to start reading Ian McEwan

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Winner of the 1998 Booker Prize, the Somerset Maugham award, the Whitbread Novel of the Year award and the 2011 Jerusalem Prize, Ian McEwan is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated contemporary writers.

His substantial body of work has earned him worldwide acclaim and firmly cemented his position as one of today’s best-loved novelists. If you’re yet to discover him, good news: we’ve taken a deep dive into his publishing to bring you the essential Ian McEwan reading list.

What has Ian McEwan written?

Beloved British writer Ian McEwan has written 19 novels and novellas over the last five decades, including numerous prize-nominated and -winning works of literary fiction. He is also the author of short story collections and plays and has even written works of children’s fiction. Several of his works have been adapted for TV and cinema, including On Chesil Beach, Enduring Love and – most famously – Atonement. But more on that below…   

What is Ian McEwan’s most famous book?

What was Ian McEwan’s first book?

What is Ian McEwan’s best book?

More must-read books by Ian McEwan

Win these books

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the publication of Atonement, we're giving one lucky reader the chance to win this quintessential McEwan reading list.

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Terms and Conditions:

  1. No purchase necessary to enter the prize draw.
  2. This prize draw is open to UK residents aged 18 years or over, with the exception of employees of the Promoter, their families, agents and anyone else connected with this promotion.
  3. Entries must be received by 11:59 PM BST 30 September, 2026. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any entries that are incomplete, illegible, corrupted or fail to reach the Promoter by the relevant closing date for any reason. Proof of posting or sending is not proof of receipt. Automatically generated entries and entries via agents or third parties are invalid and will not be counted. Entries become the property of the Promoter and are not returned.
  4. Only one entry per person. No entrant may win more than one prize.
  5. To enter fill in your details on the online form.
  6. All correctly completed entries will be entered into a prize draw which will take place on 5 October, 2026.
  7. The prize for the winner is one (1) copy of each of the following titles by Ian McEwan: Atontement, First Love, Last Rites, Amsterdam, What We Can Know, Enduring Love, On Chesil Beach, Machines Like Me and Lessons.
  8. Other than those specified above, the promoter shall not be liable for any costs or expenses arising out of or in any way connected with this prize and does not accept any responsibility for any damage, loss or disappointment suffered by the winner as result of accepting this prize.
  9. Prizes are subject to availability. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the Promoter reserves the right (a) to substitute alternative prizes of equivalent or greater value and (b) in exceptional circumstances to amend or foreclose the promotion without notice. No correspondence will be entered into.
  10. The winner will be notified via email or post by 6 October, 2026. The winner must claim their prize within 30 working days of the Promoter sending notification. If the prize is unclaimed after this time, it will lapse and the Promoter reserves the right to offer the unclaimed prize to a substitute winner selected in accordance with these rules.
  11. By entering this competition, all entrants agree to the use of their personal data by the Promoter for the purposes of running the competition as detailed in these terms and conditions. Details on how we process the personal data of entrants can be found in our Privacy Policy.
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  13. The Promoter is Vintage Books, One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London SW11 7BW.
  14. These terms and conditions are governed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Frequently asked questions

Which Ian McEwan book won the Booker Prize?

Amsterdam won the Booker Prize in 1998. McEwan has also been shortlisted for the Booker Prize for The Comfort of Strangers (1981), Black Dogs (1992), Atonement (2001) and On Chesil Beach (2007).

Which Ian McEwan novel was adapted into an Oscar-winning film?

Atonement (2001) was adapted into a film starring Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Saoirse Ronan. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards in 2008, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress. It won the award for Best Original Score.

Why did Ian McEwan write Atonement?

Ian McEwan was inspired to begin writing Atonement in 1997 after reflecting on the tragedies that had shaped the 20th century, in particular World War 2 and the Holocaust. On holiday with his sons, he began making notes about a character that had come into his mind: a young woman in a country house who spots a gardener outside through the window and wants to get to know him (and doesn’t at the same time). From these beginnings, McEwan crafted a story taking in pre-war Britain, the Second World War and – through the novel’s now famous twist – the modern era.

To understand more about how and why Ian McEwan wrote Atonement, read this fascinating interview with the author and his publisher on the book and how it became one of the most popular novels of the early 21st century.