Ten of the best misdirected messages in literature

At the Guardian, John Mullan named ten of the best misdirected messages in literature.

One novel on the list:

Atonement by Ian McEwan

In sweltering heat, Robbie sits at his desk and tries out notes to the delicious Cecilia. One of them expresses his carnal desires in the most basic language. He sends this one instead of the more conventional missive he intends. It certainly breaks through Cecilia's reserves, but has disastrous consequences when it is read by her sister Briony.

Read about the other entries on the list.

Atonement also appears on Jane Ciabattari's list of five masterpieces of fiction that also worked as films, and on John Mullan's lists of ten of the best scenes on London Underground, ten of the best breakages in literature, ten of the best weddings in literature, and ten of the best identical twins in fiction. It is one of Stephanie Beacham's six best books.

--Marshal Zeringue