A thriller written by a master of the language. Not for the faint-hearted or those lacking in education, this story relates the series of events that lead up to the stalking of the main character by a seriously disturbed and potentially violent would-be lover. The stalker is obsessive and deluded and follows the pattern of psychosis defined as de Clérambault’s Syndrome. In sublime language, it tells of the breakdown of the victim’s relationship with his intelligent and loving common law wife and describes the man’s fight against the disbelief of those around him. A frightening, enthralling novel full of tension and emotional charge yet also a detailed evocation of neurosis and its hold on the sufferer, it’s effect on the subject of neurotic and psychotic love. The religious undertones are cleverly handled. All characters are drawn with skill. An excellent if demanding read that I recommend.
I read this years ago, and placed the review on Goodreads, but never placed it here on my blog, for reasons that escape me. So, I felt it was time to do that now.
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[Any review is a personal opinion. No reviewer can represent the view of anyone else. The best we can manage is an honest reaction to any given book.]
Stuart Aken 
Thanks for the review, Stuart. I hadn’t heard of this book before, but it’s a topic I would find interesting, especially after having been in a relationship (years ago) with a narcissist who bordered on psychopathy. Getting out of it was the problem! Cheers.
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It’s an ‘old’ book, Lynette. A Booker Prize winner, that I read quite a few years ago, but I think it’s still available. I was doing some housekeeping on my PC and discovered I hadn’t posted this review, along with a few more, on my website.
I’m glad you managed to extract yourself from what was potentially a dangerous relationship.
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Thank you very much, Stuart. I had help and good advice. It was difficult and he tracked me for a long time afterward (I have had to be very cautious with social media use and the internet in general), but I recently found out that he died. It’s unfortunate to say this, but I’m relieved. I’ll be looking for that book; I can probably find it online. Cheers.
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Obsessive behaviour that merges with criminal activity has been long ignored by many judiciaries, Lynette. Our UK police still often treat stalking almost as a civil offence and frequently give it less attention than it deserves. As a result, there have been murders committed here by stalkers. The several mental conditions need to be taken far more seriously, and those displaying the symptoms dealt with properly by being housed away from the public until they are ‘cured’ of their delusions.
I’m not at all surprised you’re relieved, and I’m pleased your pursuer has died, leaving you with some peace of mind at last.
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Thank you, Stuart. Stalking is taken much more seriously now than it used to be, in Canada at least. Here it’s called criminal harassment and can lead to a long time in prison. I reported him and police opened a file back when this first started (and they told me he had been convicted of harassment years earlier when it was still a misdemeanour), but he backed off and became quite cagey. I installed a security system and later I moved, but I knew he was still trying to keep track. Yes, I am definitely relieved. I have often wondered how many others he was harassing.
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I’m glad you’re rid of him, Lynette. It’s definitely a form of mental illness and needs to be treated as such, preferably by removing the offenders from society until they can prove they’ve been successfully treated for the condition.
Keep safe and stay well.
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Thank you, Stuart.
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