Robert M. (shotokanchef) reviewed on 8/12/2009 + 813 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Dubbed a psychological thriller, the novel portrays two sides of a kidnapping. Clegg, a lepidopterist (butterfly collector), wins a pool (lottery). When he realizes that money leads tot he ability to exert control, decides to switch his collection to women: initially one in particular (an artist) whom he stalks for some time before abducting her and imprisoning her in the sub-basement of a rural cottage. In the authors words (spoken through the captive) he is uncreative but wealth has provided him with opportunity-to-create; this, he says, equals evil. The story begins with his side of the crime. Then we are treated to a glimpse of her side of it through the medium of diary that she has kept. Her writings wander between the crime and a glimpse into her life. She is obviously superior to him in many ways, which he resents. The ending is a grisly account of her demise and his feelings, or lack thereof. Once she is gone, will he refresh his collection?

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