BOOK: The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan

The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan, 127 pages

Venice in February; Man Booker Shortlist 1981

Creepy little slice of Venice. It doesn't appear creepy for quite a while, and the book is only a little over one hundred pages. When it turns though, it turns.

An unmarried English couple are spending an extended vacation Venice. They tour, they eat, they sleep, they bicker a bit - seem to be pretty much in a comfortable rut. On Chesil Beach-like couple (except for the sex part) where every thought or movement is analysed intensely and minutely. The mood does gradually build, and then, although it's not clear exactly what, something happens. It's not clear, and yet it is.

 Colin and Mary have very strange reactions to each other, and to the events around them. That was the weirdest part for me. The atmosphere of Venice was modern, and perfect for the story. Fans of McEwan's later, famous books would enjoy this early glimpse of his writing.

also reviewed: bellezza at dolce bellezza;