“So here I am, upside down in a woman . ” 'Nutshell' is a novel told from the perspective of an unborn baby. His stream of consciousness forms the entire narrative. The foetus can’t see the world around him, so McEwan has to describe every scene via muffled sounds, changes in temperature, and the arrival of tastes through the umbilical cord. This approach isn't unique, and can also be found in a couple of other novels, such as Fuentes' 'Christopher Unborn'. It's a quirky approach to story telling, and isn't to everyone's taste, but McEwan is a master of the method. His skill should be appreciated, even if the premise is bizarre. Unexpectedly, the foetus speaks in loquacious and sophisticated language. The story is interspersed with philosophical musings, as the unborn baby weighs up a variety of moral and intellectual issues. His mother likes to listen to podcasts, and her son has engaged with a lot of the content. It’s a str