Paperback. - A Laurel Book, 1980. - ©1963. - 255 pages

Backcover:
The power of passion, the power of evil, the power of the most spellbinding storyteller of out time, come together in this sensational, million-copy-selling triumph by John Fowles, author of "The Magus" and "Daniel Martin".

The setting is a lonely cottage in the English countryside. The characters are a brutal, tormented man and the beautiful, aristocratic young woman whom he has taken captive. The story is the struggle of two wills, two ways of being, two paths of desire - a story that mounts to the most shattering climax in modern fiction.

"Every page reveals a master storyteller at work!" - The New York Times
"Overwhelming...it will keep you reading all night!" - The Kirkus Reviews
"A masterpiece...a flawless performance!" - Kansas City Star

Thanks sumako for this wishlist book surprise! :)

A very intensive thriller with two points of view. You know from the start that there is no happy ending for Frederick and Miranda, and yet the end surprises you. Awfully.

This thriller was on the wishlist of the winner of Tea & Thriller Sweepstake, so it was an easy pick. I just had to read the book before I could send it. :) Enjoy!

Thank you so much honey, for the book (been after this one for ages!) and the lovely selection of teas :o)

This book had been on my wishlist for quite a while, so thanks Mecu :o)

Wow...a creepy thriller about a guy who becomes obsessed with a girl, kidnaps her and holds her prisoner in his remote cottage. I really enjoyed "his" perspective, but not so much "her" diary entries. I didnt really like her, and although i sympathised with her awful situation, i didnt really feel sorry for her. Didnt have a clue how this would end, but wasnt shocked. Fowles had so many options on how to end it...it makes me wonder why he chose that one.

This is going to another BCer who nabbed it as an RABCK from a forum thread :o)

Going as a RABCK to a fellow BCer :o)

This book was waiting for me when I returned from holiday. I look forward to reading it.

The book is told in three parts from the point of view of the captor and victim, through the excerpts of a diary, before returning to the captor detailing their opposing points of view. We are first given an insight into the mind of a man whose transformation to kidnapper seemed inevitable from the very beginning. Fred is especially terrifying because he seems oblivious to his own perversion and to the harm he inflicts on others. He believes he's Miranda's host and not her captor. He watches her, but he's not a stalker. She's his guest and not his victim. She has everything she needs in her room except a key, so why is she so ungrateful? He's the perfect psychopath.

Miranda's story generates an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia. As she struggles to breathe in Fred's stifling cellar so does the reader. Never has freedom tasted so exquisite!

Going out as part of Reading it/ Want it thread. Enjoy!

Received today. Thank you very much!

Wow, was sucked into this from the very beginning. I found Fred rather interesting and his perspective on things was rather strange. I felt sorry for Miranda, trapped with him and not knowing what to expect. The ending was unsurprising but awful nonetheless.
Defo an author I’d read more of.

Adding to Flutterbies9 Crime and Mystery Bookbox.
Happy travels little book!

Arrived back with the Crime bookbox. Not sure if I will read this or not but it will probably travel in another bookbox.