Saturday

More about the book

From the pen of a master — the #1 bestselling, Booker Prize–winning author of Atonement — comes an astonishing novel that captures the fine balance of happiness and the unforeseen threats that can destroy it. A brilliant, thrilling page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set within a single day in February 2003, the story follows Henry Perowne, a successful neurosurgeon who enjoys a fulfilling life with his family in central London. On his day off, he awakens to the comforts of his home, feeling at ease both there and in the operating room. However, the world outside is fraught with uncertainty, marked by the impending war against Iraq and a pervasive sense of pessimism following the attacks two years prior. As the day unfolds, an unusual sighting in the morning sky sets the stage for a series of events that shift from the ordinary to the extraordinary. While navigating the streets filled with anti-war protestors on his way to a squash game, a minor car accident leads to a confrontation with a small-time thug. Perowne, recognizing something deeply troubling about the young man, finds himself facing savage consequences that compel him to use all his skills to protect his family.