
London 1971 first edition. Weidenfeld and Nicolson. hardcover small octavo. Fine in VG plus dj. no owner marks.
A volatile marriage reaches a breaking point when a husband introduces his mistress to his wife, triggering a destructive cycle of obsession and manipulation. Zee, a woman defined by her fierce attachment to her husband, Robert, finds her world destabilized by the arrival of Stella, a younger woman who threatens to dismantle her domestic life. The narrative follows Zee as she navigates the shifting power dynamics of this love triangle, employing psychological warfare to maintain her position. The prose captures the claustrophobic nature of their interactions, emphasizing the raw, often irrational impulses that drive the characters toward mutual ruin.
Readers and critics frequently highlight the visceral, uncompromising portrayal of a crumbling marriage. Discussion often centers on the abrasive nature of the protagonist, Zee, whose intensity polarizes audiences. The pacing is noted for its relentless focus on the psychological friction between the three central figures. Observers often point to the author's ability to render the messy, unvarnished realities of human obsession without resorting to sentimentality. The work is widely regarded as a study in the destructive capacity of jealousy and the complexities of long-term partnership.
Page Count:
127
Publication Date:
1975-01-01
Publisher:
Penguin Putnam~mass
ISBN-10:
0140033254
ISBN-13:
9780140033250
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