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The Bridesmaid

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The Bridesmaid by Ruth Rendell is a tale of madness and obsession as experienced through the protagonist, Philip, who falls under the spell of the mysterious and beautiful Senta. The story delves into the complexities of their passionate but dangerous relationship, where reality and fantasy blur, leading to violence and death. Rendell's writing style is described as descriptive, allowing readers to delve into the mind of the protagonist and experience the unfolding events through his perspective.

The plot of the book revolves around the intense connection between Philip and Senta, with the latter being portrayed as an enigmatic and unsettling character living in a world of her own making. As the story progresses, Philip is confronted with the consequences of his involvement with Senta, leading to a gripping narrative filled with tension, intrigue, and a gradual unraveling of the characters' true natures.

Characters:

Characters are well-developed, with relatable traits and complex psychological profiles, particularly the dynamic between the ordinary Philip and the enigmatic Senta.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines immersive descriptions with a deep exploration of characters' inner lives and moral complexities.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot explores themes of madness, love, and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy through the experiences of characters facing personal dilemmas.

Setting:

The setting is characterized by a gritty urban landscape, highlighting societal issues through the contrast between Senta's appearance and living conditions.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slow but gathers momentum as the story develops, maintaining reader engagement despite some sections that may feel drawn out.
Violent death fascinates people. It upset Philip. He had a phobia about it. Or that was what he called it to himself sometimes, a phobia for murder and all forms of killing, the wanton destruction of ...

Notes:

The novel explores themes of madness and how circumstances and biology can trap individuals.
Philip Wardman is depicted as an ordinary man dealing with family crises and work problems.
Senta, the fascinating yet disturbing character, lives in squalor despite her beauty.
Ruth Rendell is praised for her complex character development, where no character is completely good or bad.
The ending of the novel is ambiguous, encouraging readers to draw their own conclusions.
Rendell's descriptive writing immerses readers in the protagonist's mind, highlighting feelings of confusion and desire.
The book contrasts typical thriller tropes, focusing on a man's obsession with a woman rather than the reverse.
Several readers found the pacing tense as Senta's behavior grows increasingly erratic.
Many appreciate the intricate interweaving of character dilemmas throughout the story.
Rendell's work is often compared to that of Iris Murdoch, with both authors exploring moral and ethical complexities in their stories.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for the book include themes of madness, potentially disturbing descriptions of living conditions, and instances of emotional manipulation.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present, centered around the intense and complex relationship between Philip and Senta, characterized by passion and eventual turmoil.

From The Publisher:

Philip Wardman had more than just the ordinary squeamishness where death was concerned. Yet he could hardly avoid the suspicious disappearance of his sister's friend Rebecca Neave, especially when everyone was ascribing the cause to murder. Philip's feminine ideal is the statue of the Roman goddess Flora in his mother's garden. His marble Flora doesn't fade, doesn't alter, doesn't die. But then he meets Senta Pelham, a beautiful, sensual, childlike actress and a living incarnation of the statue. The two embark on a passionate affair that soon becomes dangerous when Senta sets Philip a test; to prove their love, they must each commit murder.

Ratings (3)

Loved It (1)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (5):

Read It (3)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

Did Not Like
6 months

I was confused by most of this. I'm not sure I understood any of it.

 

About the Author:

Ruth Rendell was an exceptional crime writer, and will be remembered as a legend in her own lifetime. Her groundbreaking debut novel, From Doon With Death, was first published in 1964 and introduced the reader to her enduring and popular detective, Inspector Reginald Wexford, who went on to feature in twenty-four of her subsequent novels. With worldwide sales of approximately 20 million copies, Rendell was a regular Sunday Times bestseller. Her sixty bestselling novels include police procedurals, some of which have been successfully adapted for TV, stand-alone psychological mysteries, and a third strand of crime novels under the pseudonym Barbara Vine. Very much abreast of her times, the Wexford books in particular often engaged with social or political issues close to her heart. Rendell won numerous awards, including the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger for 1976's best crime novel with A Demon in My View, a Gold Dagger award for Live Flesh in 1986, and the Sunday Times Literary Award in 1990. In 2013 she was awarded the Crime Writers' Association Cartier Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence in crime writing. In 1996 she was awarded the CBE and in 1997 became a Life Peer. Ruth Rendell died in May 2015. Her final novel, Dark Corners, was published in October 2015.

 
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