Helpful Score: 5
Written in memoir-form, this page-turner tells the story of a middle-aged, married British politician who falls into an obsessive sexual liaison with his son's mysterious girlfriend. In a sparse, occasionally heavy-handed style, the narrator recounts his life as a successful facade concealing a decided lack of feeling, until the fateful meeting which both reveals his nature to him and threatens his entire life -- a sham, but a comfortable sham. Much of the action is told in dialogue form and conveys the emotional undercurrents of even the most casual exchange to great effect. The book served as the basis for the Louis Malle film of the same title, starring Jeremy Irons, Juliette Binoche and Miranda Richardson. I recommend reading the book, then seeing the movie, which fleshes out some elements of the story -- especially the character of the (anti)hero's wife, who doesn't really come into her own till the end of the book, but shines in the movie.
Helpful Score: 1
A dark story about a man who is obsessed with his sons girlfriend.
Dark and twisted. Plot twists you won't expect. An excellent read. You really get involved in the story--then are glad it's not *your life!! A+
A smart sexy book, even better than the movie which was really hot.
Hart is an incredibly talented author, but these characters are so miserable that I had no patience for any of them. Get it together, jerks!
The writing is excellent!!! The story is thrilling and full of scandal.
The movie did NOT do this book justice.
The movie did NOT do this book justice.
A psychological page turner. The book was made into a movie starring Jeremy Irons and Genevive Bujold. Deeply affecting.
A chilling story of obsessive love.
A story of scandal in high places.
this is one my favorites. i read the book first and was not disappointed in the movie. i thought they both worked.
a quick read - a gut-punching story
(From Library Journal) The unnamed narrator of this chilling, uncomfortable first novel lives a life many men work vainly all their lives to attain: wealth, successful political career, beautiful wife, two attractive children. At the age of 50, however, the narrator has yet to feel passionately about anything--or anyone--in his life. Then his son brings home the woman he plans to marry, the enigmatic Anna Barton, and he recognizes in Anna the passion for which he will eagerly lay to waste everything and everyone in his life. Anna, tragedy ever-present in her life, warns, "Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive." Unheeding, he does not veer from a path which can lead only to damage for everyone except, ultimately, perhaps Anna herself. Compulsively readable enough to be devoured in a single sitting, this novel is brilliant, but unsettling. Obsession and its aftermath can be fascinating, but never comfortable, reading.
The unnamed narrator of this chilling, uncomfortable first novel lives a life many men work vainly all their lives to attain: wealth, successful political career, beautiful wife, two attractive children. At the age of 50, however, the narrator has yet to feel passionately about anything--or anyone--in his life. Then his son brings home the woman he plans to marry, the enigmatic Anna Barton, and he recognizes in Anna the passion for which he will eagerly lay to waste everything and everyone in his life. Anna, tragedy ever-present in her life, warns, "Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive." Unheeding, he does not veer from a path which can lead only to damage for everyone except, ultimately, perhaps Anna herself. Compulsively readable enough to be devoured in a single sitting, this novel is brilliant, but unsettling. Obsession and its aftermath can be fascinating, but never comfortable, reading
One of the few times I can say the movie is far better than the book!
Good book. I read the book before I saw the movie. Both are very good.
I'm glad this book was short-it was just too off the wall for me. This guy, with two grown kids, a wife, and a good political career decides to have this crazy, and I mean crazy affair with his son's fiancee?? The woman, Anna is a total - to be polite, nut job. Several times I wanted to reach into the page and throttle them both. As you can expect, the ending is NOT good-yet another reason to keep your pants on when the temptation to cheat on your spouse/significant other rears its ugly head. I think this was made into a movie-I never heard of it and now I know why!
