Atonement

The novel centers around Briony Tallis, a thirteen-year-old girl who, in 1935, witnesses a flirtation between her older sister Cecilia and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant.

Briony's incomplete grasp of adult motives and her precocious imagination lead her to make a false accusation that changes all their lives.

The story follows the repercussions of this event through World War II and into the late 20th century, as Briony spends her life trying to make amends for her mistake.

The novel is a complex exploration of guilt, atonement, and the nature of writing and memory.