About this title: Colin and Mary, vacationing in a city very much like Venice, are not having a good time. Then they meet Robert, a seedy and somewhat sinister bar owner, and his wife--and find that the bizarre encounter energizes their deteriorating marriage. A twisted relationship develops among these four characters in a situation of mounting horror until the shocking dénouement--one of McEwan's characteristically macabre touches. The novel was made into a successful film in 1991 starring Christopher Walken and Helen Mirren.
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Description: Fair. Purchasing this DVD supports the North Central Regional Library. Thriftbooks and NCRL have partnered to help raise additional funds for the library system. Library ID found on DVD and case. Ex-Library book-will contain library markings. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Thorndike Press, Farmington Hills, Michigan, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780786240401ISBN:0786240407
Description: Good. Extremely presentable LARGE PRINT library withdrawal in the reinforced covers. Very nice with a couple of marks (slight) stamped with a card pocket removed. on the inside back cover. Good! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Date Published: 2002-06
ISBN-13:9780786240401ISBN:0786240407
Description: Fair. EX-LIBRARY copy with usual markings. LARGE PRINT. Cover has corner bumping. Text unmarked, pages clean and bright. Good solid copy. *Ships Next Business day* read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Vintage
Date Published: 1997
ISBN-13:9780099754916ISBN:0099754916
Description: Good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Picador
Date Published: 1982
ISBN-13:9780330268295ISBN:0330268295
Description: Good. PAPERBACK BOOK-GOOD OVERALL CONDITION-TRUSTED DEVON (UK) BASED SELLER-IN STOCK-SENT WITHIN 1 WORKING DAY-AVAILABLE BY EMAIL FOR QUERIES-NO QUIBBLE REFUND IF NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED- read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Vintage Books
Date Published: 1994-11-01
ISBN-13:9780679749844ISBN:0679749845
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780679749844. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Anchor
Date Published: 1994
ISBN-13:9780679749844ISBN:0679749845
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: S Trade Paperback
Publisher: Thorndike Pr, Farmington Hills, Michigan, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780786240401ISBN:0786240407
Description: Very Good. Large print type. Retired library copy with typical library markings. The pages are like new no writing or highlighting. The covers are reinforced with very hard plastic. The book is in very good condition. read more
Edition: NEW ED
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: VINTAGE Country = UNITED KINGDOM
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9780099754916ISBN:0099754916
Description: BRAND NEW PAPERBACK. 112 pages. (112 pages) as their holiday unfolds, colin and maria are locked into their own intimacy. they groom themselves meticulously, as though there waits someone who cares deeply about how they appear. then, they meet a man with a disturbing story to tell and become drawn into a fantasy of violence and obsession. edition new ed (Paperback) read more
"There are some wonderfully written passages in this book, but overall, it doesn't add up to much. The weird, sophomoric philosophizing about sex and gender issues is a species of self-indulgent silliness. The ending is ridiculous and the characters remain unknowable. And why is Venice unnamed?
Pros: --Some interestingly written passages, especially one early on, of a baby. I laughed out loud at the description. --It's short. --Builds tension and menace pretty well. --Made into a movie I need to Netflix.
Cons: --Robert is so unbelievably sleazy. And I do mean, unbelievably. --Mary and Colin are unbelievably stupid. And I do mean, unbelievably. --Very little character development. --Central premise, especially in today's sexual climate, seems silly and irrelevant. --Pretentious writerly silliness on McEwan's part. For example, leaving Venice unnamed. It's silly and unnecessary.
**SPOILER ALERT***
Not all people into S&M are murderers. Ridiculous. Robert and Caroline are not so much a top and bottom as they are an abusive husband and an abused wife. Caroline's rationalizations don't ring true. Robert is clearly a total sleazoid weirdo..what do Mary and Colin see in him? Also, is Colin supposed to also be bisexual?
**END SPOILER ALERT**
I can't really recommend this book, but since it is short, if you happen upon a free copy, it's not a bad way to spend an hour or two (or less, depending upon how fast you read)."
"I loved this book. I ate up McEwan's lengthy descriptions, his beautiful dialogue, and his ability to make me truly experience the emotions of the two main characters. This book takes us into the relationship of a couple enjoying a vacation in Venice. Like so many of his books, it starts off slow, leading us through the winding canals and cobblestone streets at an easy pace, enjoying the scenery, the gentle kisses, and late lunches... Half way through, however, you'll start having feelings of uneasiness, even fear, and by the end you'll be so in shock at the ultimate conclusion you may have to simply put the book down for a moment in order to try and calm down. As always, McEwan writes beautifully - I would argue, perfectly. A wonderful, fascinating book."
"McEwan, Ian. THE COMFORT OF STRANGERS. (1981). *****. This is one of the best short novels I have read for a long time. McEwan manages to make every word count and pull the reader into a world that is changing under our feet. It's the story of Mary and Colin. They are not married, but have been long-time lovers. Mary had been married and has two children. They are on a vacation together in what might be Venice, but are finding each other less interesting even though they engage in marathon sex. They tend to stay in their hotel room a lot because they seem to get lost every time they wander out. One night, while looking for a late-night restaurant, they meet an outgoing and ebullient stranger named Robert. Robert is a very forceful person and takes them to a bar/restaurant that it turns out he owns. He then invites them to dinner the next night at his house so that they can meet his wife. They tend to bump into Robert at their every turn - almost as if he were stalking them. They have dinner at Robert's house and meet his wife, a semi-cripple who cannot leave the house because of a severe back injury. It turns out that Robert's wife is a very strange woman indeed, and begins conversations that lead nowhere but heighten a sense of dread. Robert becomes a persistent presence in their life, and slowly leads them away from their ordinary lives forever. This is a classic tale of suspense and erotic menace; a modern gothic novel. Highly recommended."
"Brilliant crisp writing with a frightening edge that draws youin page by page to the shocking conclusion. Getting lost in the back alleys of Venice will never be quite the same again after you read this short title.
Speaking of Venice, the next time you're there be sure to go to Harry's Bar and knock off a Martini for me; directions: stand with your back to the clock tower in Piazza San Marco looking out at the quay... proceed to the edge of the water and turn right...stroll about 3/8 of a mile until you come to the first alley and turn right... take the first right through the common looking doors into the infamous Harry's Bar and take savor Martini just as Hemingway did all those years ago. breath of"
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